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Finally! New Police Commissioner sworn in

The new Commissioner of Police Michael 'Mick' Matthews was sworn into office this morning, April 20, 2016 by Senior Magistrate Tamia N. Richards. Photo: Provided
Mr Matthews succeeds David Morris (in photo) as Police Commissioner of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force. Photo: VINO/File
Mr Matthews succeeds David Morris (in photo) as Police Commissioner of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – After some eight months since former Police Commissioner David Morris left the territory and the vacant post being snubbed by a United Kingdom police officer, a new top cop has been sworn in.

The new Commissioner of Police Michael 'Mick' Matthews was sworn into office this morning, April 20, 2016 by Senior Magistrate Tamia N. Richards.

Mr Matthews, a UK national, takes over the reins of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) at a time when it has been rocked with allegations of corruption and increasing armed robberies in the territory.

Earlier this month, the RVIPF announced that three of its officers were charged for alleged corruption. They have since been remanded to prison.

Only on April 18, 2016 popular shopping establishment, One Mart Superstore in Port Purcell was robbed by armed bandits.

Police corruption and armed robberies are already two major issues that stand out for Mr Matthews to address as Commissioner. Another troubling issue on the plate for the new CoP is alleged racism in the force.

In August 2015 Virgin Islands News Online had first and accurately reported that Mr Robin Smith of the United Kingdom had been given the job of Police Commissioner, however, Mr Smith suddenly withdrew in October before taking up the post.

Roles & accomplishments

According to a press release from the RVIPF, the former Chief Constable for the Sovereign Base Areas Police in Cyprus and 34-year veteran law enforcer successfully climbed the ranks of the Gloucestershire Constabulary in the UK and is now on contract with the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force for the next three years.

“In his role as Commissioner, Mr Matthews will be the overall strategic commander of the Force ensuring that the Force is in compliance with legal requirements as well as standard policing practices, policies and procedures overseas. He will also provide operational policing leadership and mentorship to divisional heads.

His other functions include overseeing key crime fighting strategies within the RVIPF and developing and implementing sustainable programmes for the long-term capacity and capability of the RVIPF.”

Among his accomplishments, Mr Matthews drafted and delivered on an overall strategic plan for reducing crime levels while maintaining detection rates that were above 50%. At the same time, he was able to establish a comprehensive recruitment plan for officers and maintain a high level of trust and confidence from members of the local community in Cyprus, the press release stated.

In announcing the appointment, His Excellency John S. Duncan OBE stated then that he was confident that Mr Matthews would bring leadership and experience to his new role so that the RVIPF and the security of the VI would continue to be strengthened.

Mr. Matthews is joined in the VI by his wife Zoe.

26 Responses to “Finally! New Police Commissioner sworn in”

  • Bvi man (20/04/2016, 19:06) Like (15) Dislike (16) Reply
    what a shame and we have locals who can do this job
    • Proud (20/04/2016, 19:30) Like (16) Dislike (11) Reply
      Local can't do nothing.
      • micky mouse (21/04/2016, 10:14) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        i agree with you local don't even want to join the police force. if they could of done something ,why they did put away their feeling and join with whoever is at the head .And help to eradicate crime in this country .
    • y (21/04/2016, 15:22) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Sorry, but the locals who you claim can do the job is not competent. You see, the locals who you claim can do the job if any of their family members or close friends do something they will sweep it under the rug.
  • WELCOME (20/04/2016, 19:25) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    Although he seems to look a little frail, let’s give him and his family a chance to see what he is about. Welcome to our shores. We will be watching. Pleaseee don’t listen toooo much to Gov Duncan. He is a failure to our people. Lead by listening to both sides before your act. The sweet spot is somewhere in the middle. Now, I know you bloggers, don’t get too carry away with the last part.
    • wize up (20/04/2016, 22:14) Like (3) Dislike (12) Reply
      @ welcome: once dem white out comes that red carpet, try get a life its 2016 NOT 1716.....hope when he begin to jail our prople you still welcome him and his family(nothing personal just saying)
  • said (20/04/2016, 19:39) Like (2) Dislike (5) Reply
    How old is tuis man? He nah look able
  • Law Abiding citizen (20/04/2016, 20:21) Like (8) Dislike (6) Reply
    Welcome to the land of corruption.
  • stop (20/04/2016, 21:08) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    Stop profiling the man just wait and see what he has to offer the territory.
  • man (20/04/2016, 22:12) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    hope this new top COP could do the something with all the guns that are coming from the USA into the BVI!! Please send someone to collect them all!!
  • farmer brown (20/04/2016, 22:16) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Listen up Commissioner Mick....hope you not cming with some idle talk like the one before you, we want action
  • wize up (21/04/2016, 05:18) Like (10) Dislike (3) Reply
    It is amazing that in 2016 some people still sees white folks as the saviour; the grat white hope.....the new white commissioner must stop the flow of guns, fight crime and stamp out curuption in the territory: the people of this territory are responsible for law and order some of us know who brings in those guns, some of us knows who are doing the killings and the arm robberies in territory and says nothing...... we have a all manner of so called white experts in BVI from the UK and still no arrest for murders going back 30 years:....
  • BULL CRAP (21/04/2016, 07:03) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Oh please do you guys think this new comissioner is god he can only do much without the help of society .when there is a crime you can hear on the street oh is he kill so and so and so and so take revenge and kill him too or he won't pay back for the people them drugs buy yet no one is sharing the info with the police .but then again its because of those chatty policeofficers every info the public give they put on the street along with the the person name that give the info and then put the person and their families life at risk
    • Thanks (21/04/2016, 08:56) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Well my a## you got to be a police same shi you hear by the ststion
    • rainbow (21/04/2016, 09:40) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      @BULL CRAP, you hit it right on the spot. If it was not for "chatty policeofficers" spilling to the criminals who is talking, there would be much better result in crime fighting and prevention. Some real Witness Protection Program would also help. Free anonymous telephone number for people to call in, with the system recording all calls and archiving them safely in few different locations for 1 year could do the trick. I see more problem on the inside of the Police Force (corruption and questionable friends) then with expats, whatever color, because goal for BVI society is one and the same for all - STOP THE CRIMINALS BEFORE THEY STOP YOU! Good luck Mr. Matthews.
  • Honesty (21/04/2016, 07:32) Like (21) Dislike (0) Reply
    Locals. Hmmmm. We are our own enemies. We eat up, chew up, stab up each other... Its time we blame ourselves for our failures and non progress.. Stop blaing the white man.
    • wize up (21/04/2016, 09:09) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ honestly: you understand my concerns: for so many years we took care of ourselves and had a wonderful country....we now looking to a governor or commissioner of police and these folks are here for at most 4 years: the VI people should be masters of their own destiny( it was done in the 60s, 70s and part of the 80s)
  • Yes (21/04/2016, 09:01) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
    A NEW MEMBER JUST JOINED THE GOOD OLE BOYZ CLUB
  • micky mouse (21/04/2016, 10:39) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Yes Bull crape,you hit the nail on the head in you last paragraph .I remember a friend of mine called the police , and the person recognized the persons voice. And make sure they said to the person is ----.Next case a woman husband always hitting her, she keep saying she feld down in the bathroom. She when to the police station,buy the time she came out the news reach on the street.
    So time me who so stupid to put their life and family at risk?Even the police them selves don't trust their own.
  • dddd (21/04/2016, 15:35) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    The only thing I have to say is Mr.Comish, please do something about the loose lips officers who put people business and names on the street when they report a crime. That is called putting people's lives in danger.
  • Music (21/04/2016, 21:36) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Welcome to the lions den!
  • kkk (22/04/2016, 01:09) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hope he stamps out racism in the police force
  • rio (22/04/2016, 02:19) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    We hope the new police boss get it right Morris was a failure
  • champion bwoy (22/04/2016, 08:15) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    all the best mr matthews
    show the bvi what you can do and why you are the new COP


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