Police recruits in August 2015. Getting the 'right people' in the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) is critical to the effectiveness of the force, according to Acting Chief Inspector Smyrna Y. Brewley. Photo: VINO/File

Acting Chief Inspector of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, Smyrna Y. Brewley. Photo: VINO

Police Constable Delma Tavenier Perez. Photo: VINO

Police Constables Joeverne S. Webb, Delma Tavenier Perez and Acting Chief Inspector Smyrna Y. Brewley made the recommendations during the question and answer segment of the pageant, which was held in the compound of the Road Town Police Station on Saturday October 19, 2016.

Webb walked away with the crown, while Brewley took second place and Perez third.

Webb will be the territory’s representative in the upcoming regional pageant during Police Week in 2017 as part of the RVIPF’s golden jubilee celebration as an independent body of the Leeward Islands Police Force on February 27, 2017.

Public’s feedback important

RVIPF Queen, Joeverne S. Webb suggested that public’s feedback, as well as checking station diaries and pocket books, are an important step to take if the integrity and honesty of the local police in undertaking their duties are to be ensured.

“First and foremost in order for us to be monitored, the senior management has to ensure that you are making one, regular checks on the station diaries which is very important; and two, you have to ensure our pocket books are always kept up to date; and three, you must go out and interact with the public and get a feedback on what we are doing when we are in the field,” she said. 

Charity begins at home

Meanwhile, Police Constable Delma Tavenier Perez said charity begins at home. “In order to monitor the police officers to ensure that they perform their duties with integrity and honesty, I believe first and foremost in charity beginning at home,” Tavenier Perez noted.

She stated in addition, if the officers are educated and provided with means and ways in which they can perform their duties, their performance duties could then be monitored through a public survey.

No feet dragging on complaints

Acting Chief Inspector Smyrna Y. Brewley, who also had the same question to answer, replied that the “buck starts” at recruitment, and getting right people with the right qualities and passion for the job.

“First I would say, it starts with recruitment, you have to make sure that you find the right officers that actually have a passion and love for policing, not just wanting to have a job. You have to have that spirit deep down, passion inside that you want to do what is right, what is for the betterment of your country,” she pointed out.

“So once we recruit the right officers for the force then we are already started on track and then it goes in training, ensuring that the officers do what they supposed to do , and any complaint that is made we have to make sure that we nip it in the bud right away. It should not be lingering and going on.”

The Acting Chief Inspector said following recruitment and training the onus is on the officer and supervisors to ensure that there are no complaints coming from the public.

“…And if the officers are not acting in the right interest of the police force, then I think it is time for those officers to leave,” the tough-talking Inspector pointed out.