Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Police Force not a priority until new Commissioner arrives- Stoutt-Igwe

- Governor’s Office not willing to address police strategic plans until new United Kingdom Police Commissioner arrives
In a stunning revelation of honesty, the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) seems to have been thrown under the bus until the new Police Commissioner Mr Michael ‘Mick’ Matthews arrives. It was the Governor’s Executive Private Secretary Mrs Carolyn Stoutt-Igwe who told law makers that 'the police has a strategic plan and when the new Commissioner comes on stream, the Governor’s Office will be willing to look at those priorities.' Photo: VINO/File
Left: Governor of the Virgin Islands John S. Duncan OBE. Junior Minister for Tourism and Territorial At Large Representative Hon Archibald C. Christian (right) spoke out about how the Police Force has been treated by the Governor’s Office and he wondered why 'the police were not on their radar.' Photo: VINO/File
Left: Governor of the Virgin Islands John S. Duncan OBE. Junior Minister for Tourism and Territorial At Large Representative Hon Archibald C. Christian (right) spoke out about how the Police Force has been treated by the Governor’s Office and he wondered why 'the police were not on their radar.' Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- In a stunning revelation of honesty, the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) seems to have been thrown under the bus until the new Police Commissioner Mr Michael ‘Mick’ Matthews arrives.

Mr Mathews is currently Chief Constable of the Cyprus Sovereign Base Area (SBA) Police Force and is expected to come directly from that position to take up the post of RVIPF Commissioner in mid-April 2016. An exact date has not been given by the Governor’s Office.

Police not a priority until new boss comes

During the Governor’ Office testimony before the 2016 House of Assembly’s Standing Finance Committee deliberations, the Governor’s Executive Private Secretary, Mrs Carolyn Stoutt-Igwe, told law makers that “the police has a strategic plan and when the new Commissioner comes on stream, the Governor’s Office will be willing to look at those priorities.”

Many in the top police brass who were advised of this see it as an insult that an important agency as the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) must be at a standstill waiting on one man. “It’s an insult to the Acting Commissioner and the safety of all residents of the Virgin Islands,” two top brass, speaking to our newsroom on condition of anonymity, said.

Police off the radar for Governor –locals shut out!

Junior Minister for Tourism and Territorial At Large Representative Hon Archibald C. Christian spoke out about how the Police Force has been treated by the Governor’s Office and he wondered why “the police were not on their radar.”

The second term legislator told the Committee that another challenge for the RVIPF, “for several years, was attracting local persons to the Police Force and rotation issues.”

Hon Christian called on the Governor’s Office to “see if there was assistance that could be provided through the FCO to make the police force more efficient.”

It was also revealed in the Standing Finance Committee report that while the Governor is responsible for Policing in the Virgin Islands the Governor's Office does not fund any equipment for the organisation.

Racism in Governor’s Office?

Meanwhile, race continues to seemingly play a part in the Governor’s Office. Governor John S. Duncan's office, located in Road Town- the capital city, is divided into two sections, with a local staff and a Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) staff. There are no locals or blacks working on the FCO side.

Many residents, civil society and the media have labeled this as downright racism.

17 Responses to “Police Force not a priority until new Commissioner arrives- Stoutt-Igwe”

  • wize up (05/04/2016, 16:53) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    why the territory always getting the short end of the stick; It is a priority to give funding to an airline BUT Home Land Security can take a back seat.....
  • wedt end police (05/04/2016, 17:08) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Cant believe she said that!
  • weed them out! (05/04/2016, 17:09) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    That police force needs a thorough cleaning.
  • Well Sah (05/04/2016, 17:22) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    Mr James, i think you should take your leave now, its clear that this governor has no confidence in you, this is so disrespectful, i really cant believe it, come on man, there is an acting commissioner of police, are you trying to say that he is incompetent, well aj that whole corruption thing take place right under your nose, so there leaves alot of questions to be asked, its embarrassing, i would retire if i were you boss.
    • Thanks (05/04/2016, 18:55) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Well as you hit the nail right on the head could not have said it better ..go with the little dignity you have.
    • voter (05/04/2016, 21:49) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      What else will Lucan throw up?
  • foxy (05/04/2016, 17:27) Like (2) Dislike (8) Reply
    She need to be set home
  • Scary Mary (05/04/2016, 17:53) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    What else can it be but racist?
  • The Reaper (05/04/2016, 20:33) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply

    On the bus..!!!!! Set of Corrupt Cop..I will S**t them u know..

  • rattie (05/04/2016, 20:46) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    wow did that silly women say that? hope not!
  • Tailpart (07/04/2016, 10:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    What was the question posed to her? Look nuh, keep off my cousin, see. Keep her out of the mess that the police created. All and sundry speaking only focusing on the answer she gave, but do not know the question. Don't focus on the words that was spoken by Mrs. Stoutt-Igwe. Focus on what got us to the position we are in now. You are trying to blame the innocent for the bigger problem. Please, go take a class in interpretation.
    • @ Tailpart (08/04/2016, 23:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      The sec responsibility is not to hire and fire. she is to provide policy advise and type for john duncan. she has overstepped again you see why they got her out from the MHSD.


Create a comment


Submit comment

Create a comment

Submit comment
Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.