Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

DCP Morris: Public is co-operating with police

- More tips coming in!
DCP Morris is of the view that officers are making strides in gaining the trust of the public. Photo: Aneka Edwards/VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola VI – Members of the public are coming forward with information to help the police nab criminals because of their willingness to work with the police in curbing criminal activities in the Virgin Islands (VI), opined Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) David Morris in an exclusive interview with Virgin Islands News Online on Friday, December 9, 2011.

“It is my perception that there is a ground swell from the law abiding community that enough is enough, and I fully support that...the community is getting tired of the type of criminality that is going on. It’s affecting their lives, their businesses, the way they live and they want that to stop,” Morris said.

Coupled with the way the officers handle tips, the DCP, along with a number of the senior officers has observed that the sort of communication, trust and confidence the public have in the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) - is starting to improve.

“... that’s not to say it’s where we want it to be. But we are in a far better position now than we have been for some time in terms of members of the public coming forward, speaking to the officers, working with the police and trying to assist,” he stated.

A prime example of individuals wanting to work with the police is the Main Street Anti-Crime group, DCP Morris pointed out. “We work closely with them and they are very supportive of us,” he said.

Morris also disclosed that the arrests of Sadie David, 20 and Ronnie David, 25, found with ammunition at their home earlier in the week, stemmed from information provided by the public. Two others were questioned and released pending further investigation, he added.

Noting that the co-operation is a step in the right direction, the DCP acknowledged, “We still have a long way to go as a Force, to build that trust and confidence, to develop it, and not abuse it. Because it’s very hard to get people’s trust and confidence, yet it’s very easy to damage it.”

The way how officers respond to crime and how they handle the victims are crucial in building that trust, DCP Morris further stated, as well as, keeping the community informed.

He also noted that the relationship between the police and media has improved.

“For me I would like to have a constructive relationship with the media because it is a vital tool in keeping or community informed of what we do and where we are.”

13 Responses to “DCP Morris: Public is co-operating with police”

  • dog meat (11/12/2011, 12:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Morris needs to hush he is only for the white officers and treat locals like piss...
    • T2DB (11/12/2011, 19:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      What locals you talking about? Locals don't want to be Police! Locals stay on the street balling how there are no jobs while the Police are actively seeking to recruit 10-20 locals. Until locals start applying and taking up these posts nothing will change. Stop with the excuses!! Everybody's excuse is that oh they're not joining the force because it's not fair. Which job is 'fair'? Utter rubbish! Stop complaining, step up to the plate!! Everybody want to live in accordance with mainstream media, where being a cop means you're soft and a punk. If you not interested in joining the force when you are well qualified to do so, then just Shut Up! You shouldn't be allowed to comment when you're not doing anything to fix the problems. If locals would join the force and also change their mentalities and stick together, no expat could overpower them. Look at how the LIAT people band together? Whether you agree or not, you must look at it from a principled standpoint. If we were to start sticking up for each other like unions do then things would be better. But we have so much hatred for our own brothers and sisters which leaves room for others to come in and do as they please, and even then we still upset. What's really wrong with us?
  • police officer-west end (11/12/2011, 13:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    but when is the police going cooperate with the public? what about the issues of treatment of locals in the police force and the silly issue bout no local qualified to be Deputy commissioner? I looking to see what happen when Frazer leaves next year..and Morris becomes the head..to see if another white man will be the number two..that will be a step backwards bossman
  • send home (11/12/2011, 15:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Bring in the youth. We still need some kind of local force an 75-90 % expat force is not good when it seems quite clear them about their people only and not locals at all. NDP needs to adress this post haste we tired of these big shot no name island man squad acting like them run the country.
  • Manabouttown (11/12/2011, 16:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    For God sake you all back off of DCP Morris, Reynell should be sent to join Richard at HMP's at Ballo
  • radio one (11/12/2011, 18:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    dem say dey locals aint want to be police and dem lazy
  • The Watcher (11/12/2011, 19:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mr. DCP when will the town people get relief from the intolerable noise from these motor bikes?
    • BREAKING NEWS!! (11/12/2011, 20:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ the watcher....As soon as you brush your mouth we all will get some relief from you. STINK!!
    • jeffers (12/12/2011, 10:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Its not just town - try the noise in East End - most times its kids with no helmets and underage.
  • Real talk for the NDP (11/12/2011, 21:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Holder need to going from up Balo cause all he doing is making the officers sick with his lies and the way he talk to them like them is dogs and treat them like sick .Hon Myron u need to look in to the prison and please do it fast them up there no u could make a different, u and ur tream remove him like Ray, mrs fraser and mrs Maynard
  • Sharky (12/12/2011, 00:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Who is checking on dem police who doing some of dey crime? Mouth open story jump out
  • Suggestion (12/12/2011, 10:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    the police need to keep the crimestoppers webpage updated, last time i looked a couple of weeks ago the info on there was all old - it has to be maintained in order to get the most out of its potential
  • I want to know (13/12/2011, 16:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am sorry to ask this question but anyhow. What is the pay for a full qualified local person with limited experience in the force? What benefits do you get as an officer? What protection do you and your family get when people start threatening you? What are the different positions that can be sort after within the force? Does the force have a website where you can do such research. Some point me there?


Create a comment


Submit comment

Create a comment

Submit comment
Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.