Is CoP David Morris interfering in an independent investigation?
The main focus was on five police officers, four on island and one overseas, from a now defunct ‘special investigation unit’ who were sent on leave pending an investigation into wrongdoing and allegation of criminal conduct.
Just recently the investigators asked for an extension in the Virgin Islands (VI) to complete their work. The extension further puts pressure on the Government coffers, according to this news site’s sources within the senior brass of the RVIPF.
Morris’ role in an independent investigation
Many police officers called our news room last week to complain that Commissioner of Police David Morris appears to be interfering in the “independent investigation”. They claimed this could be perceived in a letter he wrote to police officers and staff.
While it remains unclear, after reading the letter obtained by our news site and widely circulated on social networks, how they could claim that the controversial Morris maybe interfering in the investigation, it is important to note that of today January 13, 2015 all five officers are believed to have already been interviewed by the UK officers who came here for this purpose.
In his letter to the Force in which the Commissioner of Police dubbed the investigation “Operations Lucan”, he wrote “I would like to take this opportunity to reassure the entire Force that any officer or member of staff providing reliable intelligence or evidence to the Operation Lucan investigation will receive my full support and appreciation.”
Mr Morris, whose contract ends this year, went on to advise officers “I would sincerely urge any officer or member of staff with information that can assist the investigation to come forward, however, insignificant that information may seem.”
It remains unclear if critics of Morris see this appeal as a form of interference in what should be an independent investigation.
The UK-appointed Police Commissioner went on in his letter to the RVIPF to state that police officers “have my word that any officer or member of staff coming forward and providing information to the investigation team will be supported and will not be subject to discrimination or prejudice.”
The public has not been updated on the investigation or when it is expected to conclude, the cost, and who the recommendations would be sent to, or why the need for tax payers to be burdened with more UK Officers to conduct an investigation when there are people in the Caribbean and in the VI that could have carried out the same duties.
Morris having a rocky time in the VI
Mr Morris has had a rocky tenure as police boss. The constabulary has been rocked with a long list of lawsuits against Morris over violation of police officers rights, and issues of fairness and not following the law when dealing with both police officers and the public.
In the meantime, crime in the Virgin Islands has skyrocketed with some three homicides for 2014 in a small population with less than 29 thousand persons.
Morris and the National Democratic Party (NDP) continue to claim that crime is down.
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25 Responses to “Is CoP David Morris interfering in an independent investigation?”
actually i dont like Morris but i dont see what he has said or done wrong with this letter.
the man is just trying to get persons to come forward with information on corrupt officers...
I know that the idea of giving information doesn't sit well with everybody in the BVI because of suspicion, relationships, small place etc, but as head of the RVIPF he has a duty to ask.
If more people here were willing to stand up and give information much more could be achieved.