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Premier Fahie's private bodyguards replaced by RVIPF officers

- Hon Andrew A. Fahie says officers needed training before assuming role
Premier and Minister of Finance, Andrew A. Fahie said according to the Commissioner of Police, RVIPF officers needed training before taking on role as the security for the Premier. Photo: VINO/File
Commissioner of Police, Mr Michael B. Matthews while not diverging details, said that the RVIPF has assumed responsibility of the Premier's security for 'some time now.' Photo: VINO/File
Commissioner of Police, Mr Michael B. Matthews while not diverging details, said that the RVIPF has assumed responsibility of the Premier's security for 'some time now.' Photo: VINO/File
Fourth District Representative Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool had launched a scathing attack on Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) on July 16, 2019, suggesting, among other things, the Premier had not been honest about the reason for this security detail. Photo: VINO/File
Fourth District Representative Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool had launched a scathing attack on Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) on July 16, 2019, suggesting, among other things, the Premier had not been honest about the reason for this security detail. Photo: VINO/File
Opposition Leader Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) had also moved to question the security detail of the Premier at a sitting of the house. Photo: VINO/File
Opposition Leader Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) had also moved to question the security detail of the Premier at a sitting of the house. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Information coming into Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) is that the security of Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1)—that was handled by a private firm—has now been taken over by ranks of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF).

This was later confirmed by Commissioner of Police, Mr Michael B. Matthews, who said the RVIPF has assumed responsibility of the Premier's security for "some time now."

"We have a policy where for obvious reasons we will not discuss specifics in relation to the security of any individual we are responsible for guarding. I can advise we had a number of officers trained in Close Protection tactics last year and that the RVIPF are solely responsible for the security of the Premier and the Governor," Mr Matthews told VINO on inquiry. 

RVIPF Takes control 

According to the Commissioner, "As CoP, I have always been responsible for the Premier's security but for a brief period of time we included private security guards working alongside RVIPF officers but they have subsequently been withdrawn leaving just police officers involved," he said. 

During the Thursday, April 25, 2019, Second Sitting of the First Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA), Hon Fahie dropped the bombshell news that there had been three major threats of assassination against him, hence the reason for personal bodyguards.

“We have sat down with the Commissioner of Police, we have sat down with private security… and we have made sure that the security that is needed, that will happen as the Premier of this Territory,” he told the House.

Citing the subject as a ‘National Security’ matter, he revealed that Commissioner Matthews had been on the case while noting that given the situation, personal security was necessary, hence the reason for his bodyguards.

Opposition to Premier's private security

The move to hire private security did not sit well with some Opposition Members, including Hon Mark H. Vanterpool (R4).

“Why is this security detail costing us taxpayers millions of dollars and why is this security detail that we have for Honourable Andrew Fahie, the man himself, and not for the position, the Office of the Premier?,” Hon Vanterpool said outside the House of Assembly on July 16, 2019.

Opposition Leader Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) had also moved to question the security detail of the Premier at a sitting of the House.

“What is the name of the company providing private security to him, the beneficial owner of company, when the services commenced and details of the cost of the services,” Hon Penn asked according to an HoA Order Paper for Third Sitting of the First Session of the Fourth HoA of the Virgin Islands (VI), released, May 14, 2019.

RVIPF was always going to take over- Premier

Questions posited to Premier Fahie today, January 2, 2020, on why the move to have RVIPF takeover his security, he told VINO, "the police were always going to provide the security to the Office of Premier. However, the C.O.P. stated from the inception that his officers needed training in this specialised area. It was agreed that a group of his officers would be selected and sent away to be trained." 

According to the Premier, it was agreed that until the officers were trained then a private security company with such specialised capabilities would be contracted.

"That was done with the blessings of the C.O.P. As soon as the C.O.P. confirmed that the selected officers were now trained abroad, then the contract of the competent private security was closed," Hon Fahie further revealed. 

RVIPF Officers performing admirably- Hon Fahie 

Premier Fahie has since indicated to this news website that all the stages were always known from the inception by all stakeholders and that the trained officers of the RVIPF are now in place and performing admirably.

Further, he said the private contract was only for 6 months.

Malicious Opposition

"The calculation of putting it to 5 Years has no base. Some Opposition Members said that time frame knowing full well that it was malicious especially seeing that we only serve 4-year terms."

"The contract was always for 6 months and it only was allowed until the selected RVIPF Officers were trained," Hon Fahie told Virgin Islands News Online. 

30 Responses to “Premier Fahie's private bodyguards replaced by RVIPF officers”

  • My Take (02/01/2020, 17:08) Like (31) Dislike (25) Reply
    Let those who in the Opposition barking Go to hell. Those and their family are the ones to match.
  • Teacher (02/01/2020, 17:11) Like (23) Dislike (9) Reply
    Thanks for clearing the air we love our premier
  • The Watcher (02/01/2020, 17:15) Like (4) Dislike (29) Reply
    Only the poor speaker don’t have even a driver poor falla driving around in a rental
    • @The watcher (02/01/2020, 20:24) Like (23) Dislike (0) Reply
      The Speaker DONOT need a driver. Only the Premier, Governour and the Police Commissioner should have a personal driver.
    • Say what now? (03/01/2020, 08:38) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
      Before he was Speaker who was driving him around? Himself right? The only person/s entitled to personal drivers is the Premier his wife and children, the Governour and the police Comissioner. The above mentioned is the only ones that should be exempt from security check in at the airport.
  • Youth (02/01/2020, 17:16) Like (19) Dislike (1) Reply
    I do not see the big Deal in this matter.
  • Quiet Rebel (02/01/2020, 17:17) Like (3) Dislike (14) Reply
    Ok. If there are credible threats to Hon Premier Fahie and family, I’m not averse to his having round the clock physical security. However, per Comish Matthews, the force needs to be plus up so using RVIPF officers takes much needed manpower off the beat. Though using police officers is a sunk cost, it comes with an opportunity cost. Again, if the threat is credible, the cost to provide physical security is the cost to doing business; it may a cost going forward regardless of whom is Premier. Other protective means and methods need to be looked at.
    • HAHA (02/01/2020, 19:45) Like (12) Dislike (4) Reply

      Go on B****** on earlier articles with Fahie. it is clear that there are people out there that dont like Fahie and I aint talking about just politically. The name calling and general terrible comments sometimes make me cringe. I could understand he had terrible policies like Trump but that kinda hate I see in the comments I wouldn't doubt anything.

    • Reasonable and Sensible (02/01/2020, 21:11) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
      @Wuiet Rebel, this comment is both reasonable and sensible. Concur that if there are credible threats to safety and security of the Premier and family, he should receive physical security. Whether it is uniform officers or private security, the government working with the Governor and Com. of Police should hash out a solution that deliver high quality services at the least cost. Bloggers that hit the dislike button adds nothing to the discussion and does not advance the ball/the discussion. A disagreement without merit is not worthy of a response.
  • opposition (02/01/2020, 17:57) Like (28) Dislike (25) Reply
    He need t tell us the truth about who is after him and for what
    • @opposition (02/01/2020, 22:02) Like (4) Dislike (9) Reply
      Action man & Cuban with their greedy partners will be a good start.
  • sheer damage control (02/01/2020, 17:59) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
    This is not all true because the governor and FS colluded about the idea
  • overseas (02/01/2020, 18:30) Like (33) Dislike (8) Reply
    All over the world political leaders have security you people in the bvi are so small minded and backwards
    • states (02/01/2020, 20:19) Like (9) Dislike (11) Reply
      @Overseas, 100% correct. Political leaders, wife/husband and their children have security detail. Those people are way pass small minded and backwardness.
  • lodger (02/01/2020, 19:59) Like (8) Dislike (4) Reply
    Sometimes our politicians are their own worst enemy. The comments on the use of a private firm have been nothing but critical. Had this information been forthcoming at the outset, nobody would have been upset and it would have been a non issue. But why didnt previous governors need or have a bodyguard? They just had police drivers, except for Orlando, who liked to drive himself.
    • to lodger (02/01/2020, 22:07) Like (8) Dislike (11) Reply
      This is because the street is not the ones after Fahie but rather it is the white collar crooks who are now being protected by their white house partner in crime but God don't sleep. We the street go you back fahie.
  • lol (02/01/2020, 20:01) Like (4) Dislike (5) Reply
    Ain't really may be wat he have done or who and for why by his cause but hmmm..wen there can buy and control u it mean ur a problem to there cause ...u see now all the drug stuck on the islands now hard to get a pass to the main land lol..for years those who was to control and protect our borders were bought. Who vex vex
  • time will tell (02/01/2020, 22:11) Like (6) Dislike (11) Reply
    The ndp did so much wrong and corruption that whoever came into power as the next premier life would be at risk. Under the ndp only the rich was getting richer. Now they miss the money but Tell them keep their hands off of Fahie or this place will be lite up with fireworks.
    • @time will tell (03/01/2020, 00:11) Like (7) Dislike (7) Reply
      You damn skippy about that. They mess with Fahie, they will hear the fireworks going off as far as NYC. There is a lot of people here that is pissed and upset because Fahie is Premier. Just get over it already you haters and let the man do his job.
  • facts (02/01/2020, 22:19) Like (7) Dislike (6) Reply
    I did not support Fahie the last election but I support him now. All I have seen him done and doing and saying is how to help all the people especially the common man so this will get the rich & corrupt which is some from the last ndp government extremely angry to the point that they will try to do anything bad to Fahie but tell them to watch themselves.
  • Youth (02/01/2020, 22:27) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
    One thing with this Premier that I like is that he isn't afraid. He keeps pushing forward for better for the people of the Virgin Islands.
  • trrefdrfds (02/01/2020, 22:29) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
    Who please in the US the secret service is a security agency which is part of homeland security which is the federal government. No private firm.


  • Toystory (02/01/2020, 22:39) Like (23) Dislike (6) Reply
    Bvi people sick sick sick talking but a man who is a leader of a country and like the governor and the judges require security details.

    His private security will not come close to Myron corruption wall of $1.6 m or Mark ports over run of $40 m then again the plane oh boy our $ 7.2 m gone up in smoke!!!!people get your priority right
  • musa (03/01/2020, 01:59) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    Toy u on point bro and still the cop boss say crime down.
  • Charley Rose (03/01/2020, 04:22) Like (13) Dislike (4) Reply
    I honestly think that the Hon. Premier is doing an excellent job for the territory, as such many of the opposition members and supporters are spellbound.

    Even though the security for him is costly, it cannot compare with the progress that has been made so far. The country cannot afford to sit idly by and loose our leader now because of the cost of security.

    If we loose our Premier now, it will be time for the British to move in and take over the country. Don't be fooled by the rethoric. There is a plan and if Hon. Fahie is out of the way that will be the end. Yassar Arrafat was killed and until now the probe is still in progress as to who killed him.

    People in the territory don't sleep, stay awake and defend your Premier for God's sake.
  • Even (03/01/2020, 08:49) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
    The tribe leaders in the Amazon jungle have security. The Premier have every right to protect his family from the wolves in lamb clothing. I am proud of the Premier for standing up and doing what is right for his Country and the people. We have to stand behind him and help him because he canot do it alone.
  • Perfect Job 4 Super Cop (03/01/2020, 09:24) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Simple.. Put Supa Cop in charge... He is no nonsense.. take his job very serious....let him select his squad.. I can assure you that the premier will be at peace secure and safe.... No matter how you train someone it comes down to the heart the passion and the will... Training don't give you those things... Supa Cop is a natural....The top ranks in the force need to stop fighting Supa Cop and oppressing him because he is different.....
    .
  • That is correct (03/01/2020, 09:26) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    The Premier is doing everything to make the Country a better place for all of us and we have to stand behind him during the good times and the bad times. This is not a easy task running a Country.
  • big question (03/01/2020, 10:31) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Were they told "shoot to kill" like the previous set??
  • So glad (03/01/2020, 12:21) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    So glad NDP is out of power. Just keeping it straight, that was a dangerous crew. Doc is a nice man, they ran over him. Poor Bertie was the whipping boy that could not think for himself and I could not understand why the young man from Sea Cows Bay that was running against Fraser would link up with NDP.


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