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Don’t be naïve! Corruption exists in every society- Gov John S. Duncan OBE

- said corrupt RVIPF officers will be ‘dealt with’
Reminding that no society is exempted from corruption, Governor of the Virgin Islands John S. Duncan OBE (in suit) said corruption exists in the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) and that those officers engaged in corruption will be “dealt with”. Photo: VINO
Outgoing Commissioner of Police David Morris said there are some elements in the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) who are corrupt and are tarnishing the good reputation of others who are of integrity and hardworking. Photo: VINO
Outgoing Commissioner of Police David Morris said there are some elements in the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) who are corrupt and are tarnishing the good reputation of others who are of integrity and hardworking. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Reminding that no society is exempted from corruption, Governor of the Virgin Islands John S. Duncan OBE said corruption exists in the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) and that those officers engaged in corruption will be “dealt with”.

Speaking at the Completion Exercise and Passing Out Parade for the inaugural Police Recruit Training at the Grounds of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) on July 30, 2015, Governor Duncan said citizens of the Virgin Islands have a right to expect that the authorities will protect them from wrongdoers and that they have a right to expect good and responsible government.

He also said Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith, who at the swearing ceremony of the National Democratic Party (NDP) Government in June remined that his party was elected on the platform of being a Government in the sunshine, is equally committed to bringing in the modernising reforms of open government that will build on the traditions of this territory as one of the most vibrant democratic Overseas Territories in the Region.

“But we cannot be naïve. Corruption exists in every society. No one is immune from such temptations. And I would like to remind all officers of the RVIPF that you are at the frontline of our efforts to combat such activities. The public relies on you and places its trust in the RVIPF to uphold the law.

"Sadly there are those who have let down their collegues and themselves by crossing over to the other side, and they will be dealt with,” Governor Duncan stated.

CoP Morris confirms corruption in RVIPF

Two days after the Governor’s comments about corruption in the RVIPF, outgoing Commissioner of Police David Morris declared that there are some elements in the RVIPF who are corrupt and are tarnishing the good reputation of others who are of integrity and hardworking.

Responding to a question asked by host of Open Mic Mr Julio S. Henry, during an interview aired on CBN Channel 51 on August 1, 2015, on whether there was corruption in the RVIPF, Mr Morris said “yes there is [corruption in the RVIPF].”

At this time Mr Henry slipped in the question: “Are you corrupt?” To which Mr Morris said: “No I am not corrupt.”

“But there are officers who have committed corrupt actions,” continued Mr Morris who noted that there is corruption even in immigration and customs.

The Commissioner added, however, that the corrupt elements make up a small minority but puts the biggest tarnish on the force.

Operation Lucan

It was announced by Government in 2014 that an independent investigation was in place to root out police corruption after months of media reports.

This followed with an entire ‘special investigation unit’ of the RVIPF being sent on leave pending the outcome of an investigation for wrongdoing, including allegedly stealing cash from drug dealers.

The investigation, named Operation Lucan, began on November 10, 2014, had seen several officers sent on leave, however, some of them have been vindicated and reinstated on the job.

“Some of them are still suspended and the file is with the Director of Public Prosecutions. It upsets me when that happens,” Mr Morris said but reminded that when he first came to the Virgin Islands he had publicly stated that he would not stand for corrupt officers in the force.

19 Responses to “Don’t be naïve! Corruption exists in every society- Gov John S. Duncan OBE”

  • DON Q (11/08/2015, 10:05) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Did he say that?
    • @ Don Q (11/08/2015, 10:49) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      "But we cannot be naive..."

      Yes, in every society and it starts in the smallest of scocieties, the home. Check it out...treachery, unfaithfulness, disloyalty, greed, etc.
    • coruut (11/08/2015, 11:05) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply

      one of the then  driver the Governor right now

      • Stopit (12/08/2015, 07:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        And the police officers who wrote that post corrupt too because them want the man get fired. Better go pray and thank God you ain't in the hospital lying down.
  • wize up (11/08/2015, 10:24) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    we always had government(s) in the sunshine because we are a tropical environment: lets call a spade a spade; what we are longing for is check and balances in all administrations....
  • ... (11/08/2015, 11:54) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    So he turn a bline eye to ndp crouption because its the nor
  • Forbidden Truth (11/08/2015, 12:22) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply

    Outgoing COP," continued Mr Morris who noted that there is corruption even in immigration and customs."
    I wonder if he wants to name names in Immigration and Customs? Corrupt politicians need to be dealt with to Governor but you drop the ball big time on that a few months ago so if that's the attitude then the G... is probably corrupt to some extent.

  • chad (11/08/2015, 13:07) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
    I don't want to hear a thing from this waste of time Governor. He intends not to touch corruption neither in the police nor for the NDP. He is a waste of time.
    • wize up (11/08/2015, 14:01) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ WOW; please remember, birds of a feather always flock together ( so corrupted won't get touch, not right now )
  • UK student (11/08/2015, 13:44) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Time for this governor to GO
  • qc (11/08/2015, 13:55) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    dem say Morris done fly the coop
  • Thank you! (11/08/2015, 16:44) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Now take a closer look at the Pier Park Project!
  • Mouthfull (11/08/2015, 16:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    CoP Morris you've cleared the air with a mouthful and believe it or not the Governor states there is corruption in every society not forgetting to (check out the Government Departments) in the BVI.
  • Que? (11/08/2015, 20:17) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Every 5 minutes corruption is happening. As you read this response corruption is happening money is only numbers on a screen. Corruption is what society operate on.
  • cay (12/08/2015, 02:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    poor bvi i cry for my country no law and order
  • Former Customs Officer (12/08/2015, 02:50) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    The COP was wrong to speak to corruption in Immigration and Customs. The radio host asked him if he was corrupt. He should have limit his utterances to police corruption to those in the police force. I hope officers from those two departments see where this is going.
  • ford (12/08/2015, 06:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Governor fully well know that David Morris will be held accountable for what is happening in the RVPF once that report come out in a matter of days so he is protecting his own. Mark my words the hammer will come down on those same officers that he is talking about as soon as Mr Morris leaves this island.


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