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‘Not a lot of positive things said about RVIPF since Irma’- CoP Matthews

- Book ‘Irma- A RVIPF Perspective’, which captures the RVIPF’s Hurricane Irma experience, launched
Commissioner of Police Michael B. Matthews, right, is of the view not a lot of positive things were said about the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) since Hurricane Irma and hopes the book , “Irma – A RVIPF Perspective”, will bring the balance. Photo: VINO
‘Irma – A RVIPF Perspective’ was compiled by Public Relations Officer Diane Leonard-Drayton. Photo: GIS
‘Irma – A RVIPF Perspective’ was compiled by Public Relations Officer Diane Leonard-Drayton. Photo: GIS
The book titled, ‘Irma – A RVIPF Perspective’ and compiled by Public Relations Officer Diane L. Drayton, was launch at the RVIPF’s Wilson T. Sylvester Recreational Facility, in the Road Town Police Station, among members of the media and officers on Wednesday May 8, 2019. Photo: VINO
The book titled, ‘Irma – A RVIPF Perspective’ and compiled by Public Relations Officer Diane L. Drayton, was launch at the RVIPF’s Wilson T. Sylvester Recreational Facility, in the Road Town Police Station, among members of the media and officers on Wednesday May 8, 2019. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) now has a book that encapsulates the “Irma experiences” of its officers.

The book titled, “Irma – A RVIPF Perspective” and compiled by Public Relations Officer Diane Leonard-Drayton, was launch at the RVIPF’s Wilson T. Sylvester Recreational Facility, in the Road Town Police Station, among members of the media and officers on Wednesday May 8, 2019.

The book features some 18 chapters and gives an account of the various experiences of the officers during and after Hurricane Irma on September 6, 2017.

Book brings a balance- CoP

According to Commissioner of Police Michael B. Matthews, “If I am frank, and I am not picking on my media friends, there were not a lot of positive things being said about the RVIPF since Irma.”

He added that while a lot of positive things were said about what occurred after Hurricane Irma, not a lot of those were about the RVIPF. “We were on the receiving end of things like, oh yea, crimes got out of control, there has been looting. Where were the police officers when we needed them? It was all kind of like stopping at the door of the Force.”

It is Mr Matthews’ hope that the book will go a far way in addressing that balance as he pleaded with the media to do a positive promotion of the book for the RVIPF.

The cost for producing the book was met by the Police Welfare Association and proceeds will go back to that arm of the force to help better the lives of police officers, “Who have still got issues and are still seeking to recover from the impact of Irma.”

Closing of a chapter

For the Commissioner of Police, reading the book is one way for him and others to close the 2017 hurricane season chapter.

“Because I can now, without talking about it or having to keep trying to remember, say to people who weren’t here this is what it was like for us. This is what the RVIPF experienced, in the words of its own officers and guests who were here.”

18 Responses to “‘Not a lot of positive things said about RVIPF since Irma’- CoP Matthews”

  • resident (10/05/2019, 07:24) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    Brilliant. Congratulations RVIPF, well done.
  • Born.here (10/05/2019, 09:22) Like (13) Dislike (18) Reply
    The cop got a free pass following the hurricanes when there was a breakdown in law and order

    His contract should have not been renewed
    • ...... (10/05/2019, 10:37) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
      @ born.here: if a local was heading the police department they would been so criticism because under mike all he have done is import a set of police giving them a set of ammunition under matthews arm robbery in our territory is rising killing using guns is up and no update in the many unsolved crimes in our country. Bigger countries have a more successful crime solving rate little BVI now have more police under mike and far more crime & very serious crime. Gun crime is very serious
  • Lets see (10/05/2019, 10:30) Like (12) Dislike (6) Reply
    I hope the book also have in a chapter of the police officers who were also out looting instead of upholding the law!! and is still working, because it seems like anything can come here and join the force.
    • LENA (10/05/2019, 12:07) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
      I agree with this comment. Police officers/looters still on the job which is not transperant and so unfair to the public. We the public are watching and waiting to see these officers dismiss. So dishonest/thieves
    • ...... (10/05/2019, 14:20) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ lets see//anyone wishing to be a member of the police department should have been part of our community for 5-10 years under these conditions we can vouch for their conduct big police looting and still employed by matthews. All caribbean people share on heritage but should not be the ground to take over this little place. why cant these guys become law enforcement in their own homeland is because these can not make the grade there
  • Z (10/05/2019, 16:23) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    To the RVIPF you’ll are just sickening can’t trust none of you’ll have answer to these crimes but don’t trust none of you’ll, like to go back an said what an who tell stuff
  • Hmmmm (10/05/2019, 17:12) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    No Negativity COP just that there were no planning of "What If" Scenarios. IRMA hit the entire population and a force of 500 plus officers just could not handle the demand and besides you had no tools to do your job. Who are the planners. Who right plans of What If so a documented response could be in place and you build upon that with human and equipment capital. In referring to IRMA The Military should have been on standby with a rapid deployment force to control a lot of the issues. That is planning. I get your frustration but I would agree that your frustration comes from the lack of support with logistics of capital. A small force should incorporate a lot of technology. So let's plan now for other things. You have already been wounded so focus on the healing with fixing the wrongs.
  • Stop It (10/05/2019, 19:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Stop blaming Irma negative things have been said of the RVIF before Irma or her parents were born. The negative things due to a lack of confidence and trust that the public has in the RVFI and today the trust still can’t be established. They looting, leaking information, need I go on. So Sir these things are negative.
  • question? (10/05/2019, 21:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    How about a book that documents accounts of post-Irma police victimization? The many chapters of incidents that were ‘not’ reported to the Police Commissioner? I would love to share my story within its covers. I promise this book would be a #1 Best Seller.
  • foxy (10/05/2019, 21:27) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    All the fluff of Mathwes are gone time for some real police work

    Lock up the m n m boys
  • Vg man (11/05/2019, 07:08) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Police here just as bad as the criminals. They extorting drug dealing gambling and the list goes on especially here in vg
    • ..... (11/05/2019, 17:36) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      VG man//no one can argue against your blog. 3 or 4 members of RVIPF went before the high court this year for taking a set of money from criminals and won their cases will walk free their former boss live long large from the same criminal proceeds
  • Quiet Warrior (11/05/2019, 09:21) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Does it seemed as if the Comish is pleading or begging for some positive press? Well, positive press cannot be bought; it has to be earned. Perhaps, the RVIPF performance before, during and after hurricane Irma didn’t meet community expectations. The Comish just had his tour extended by 2 years. What did he do to earn that extension? Is it if you are part of the good old boys club, you are good to go regardless of performance? Clearly, the RVIPF has much work to do to earn the public trust and confidence. The turn around has to start with the leadership of the Comish, should it not?
  • Vg man (12/05/2019, 00:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    Set a dirty incompetent police tru the place locking up man for a lil bit of weed and them selling the most cocaine... c******* chkyuhself

  • Anonymous (12/05/2019, 00:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    Top cop you need to take a look at C******* vg station he corrupt is the word on the street



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