More UK Police officers on the ground
Just over a week ago a new batch of these officers were deployed to commence working as part of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) team.
Supporting Roles
This is according to information released recently by Commissioner of Police, Mr Michael B. Matthews, who explained this as being a part of the force’s recruitment process.
"It’s not a case of UK Detectives coming in and solving everything…This is a case of UK Detectives coming in as a support role in addition to my local officers, to achieve the results that we've started to see.”
The fourth such deployment started on Monday October 1, 2018 and runs for three months that will finish just before Christmas.
The Top COP further explained, "we will review to see do we need to continue that initiative into 2019 or are we going to be in a stronger position to start boosting our detection numbers ourselves as a result of this new recruitment process."
Homicide Detectives
Recapping the past year, Mr Matthews said the force has enjoyed additional support from experienced homicide Detectives throughout the year. This led to the present situation.
"What that’s led to, is that many of our officers have had the time to not only receive proper training, training that was long overdue in many respects but also have had time to play catch up."
He said the Virgin Islands (VI) government has granted permission to recruit more officers into the force and actually increase the overall numbers.
Batches of 15
"This year we're recruiting 15 more officers and again next year we'll do the same and recruit another 15 officers and again the following year with another 15."
A part of this is about increasing the number of homicide Detectives permanently in the Territory, he said.
"So the more officers I bring in at the recruiting level, the more sort of experienced officers we can start to free up from other duties and train them to be Detectives.”
Red Snapper
He said too, "as an interim measure what we did was through the funding of the UK, we approached a company called Red Snapper based in the UK and they've been providing us with six at a time, experienced homicide Detectives to come here into the Territory and work alongside my existing team."
"They come under my command, they come under the command of our Detectives here and I actually work hand in glove with them."
Mr Mathews explained that when he came to the VI back in 2016, one of the very first things that was raised with him was gun crimes and homicide.
Progress
"And we're making in-roads now…I can see that progress is being made…That's a positive thing for the security of this Territory and the safety of our citizens…It also of course is a positive thing for the families of the victims who want answers too as to why their loved ones were taken from them in such a violent manner."
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