Hispanics have no confidence in VG police – CoP David Morris told
CoP Morris along with his Deputy Mr Alwyn James and other key players in the Police Force were on the Island to introduce police officers who had taken up volunteer roles as a Neighbourhood Community Police for North Sound and Valley, Virgin Gorda.
However as the community members were given the opportunity to raise issues of concern to them one resident had no qualms in letting the team know that they have absolutely no confidence in the operations of the police officers based at Virgin Gorda.
Speaking through a police translator one resident who got a sea of support from the audience, said there were several matters reported to the police officers that have fallen on deaf ears. One man related that there were incidents including ones of violence where persons suffered grievous bodily harm and alleged that the police failed to ensure that justice was served.
He said that in many instances the police officers there had knowledge of persons who would have committed serious offenses against others but for dubious reasons failed to perform their duties. There were reports also for police officers failing to respond to reports of injustices against residents.
There were more than six persons who were not shy or afraid to stand up in the audience as being victims of the VG police officers’ failing to address issues reported and otherwise. CoP Morris, DCoP James and CIoP Dennis Jones all took the reports very seriously and had the names, matters and other details taken of those who had such complaints. They all promised to conduct serious investigations and should officers be found guilty of the allegations every disciplinary measures in law will be taken against them.
While noting that he will not make any excuses for the wrongdoings of Police officers CIoP Jones sought to explain some of the challenges officers stumble across. “First of all I am quite serious about my job and some of the things that you said earlier disturb me, because I get concerned about the way my officers operate...” Jones stated.
He said that due to the fact that he has been in the position from about 2012 most of the issues highlighted were not familiar to him. “But I would certainly like to know of any issues that anyone has whether it be Hispanic or otherwise where there are concerns and nothing happens.”
As those affect stood up, Jones promised to investigate and said, “Once those issues reach me I would ensure that something happens to make sure what should be done is [done].”
He said that sometimes there are challenges because people are not aware about the system and how it works and sometimes persons get the wrong feedback as to how things have to work. “That’s why I mentioned earlier that I could understand the frustration you may have at times,” he added.
“Saying all of this I will not make an excuse for officers’ behaviour that is not appropriate, so whatever issues you have, I intend to work closely with you to ensure that we don’t have reoccurrence or explain [and] give you the information that you need so you can better understand how things work,” noted Jones.
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