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Remember former constables during RVIPF’s 50th Anniversary- Doug Wheatley

Doug Wheatley is urging the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) to remember the work of the Special Constabulary during its 50th Anniversary Celebrations next year. Photo: VINO/File
The RVIPF will on February 27, 2017, mark the 50th year since it became an independent body of the Leeward Islands Police Force. Photo: VINO/File
The RVIPF will on February 27, 2017, mark the 50th year since it became an independent body of the Leeward Islands Police Force. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola VI- Days after the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) announced that one of its major plans to celebrate its 50th anniversary will be through a regional pageant, host of the Speak out BVI show on ZBVI 780 AM on Tuesday October 18, 2016, Doug Wheatley, is suggesting that the Force also includes the Local and Special Constables on their agenda.

The RVIPF will on February 27, 2017, mark the 50th year since it became an independent body of the Leeward Islands Police Force.

The former Special Constable, Mr Wheatley, said both groups were once a critical component in the maintaining of law and order in the territory.

“I just want to act as a little reminder to the Police Department of some of the things that they should endeavour to do with respect to their anniversary,” Wheatley stated. “The first thing that I would like them to do is to remember the local constables who over the many, many, years served this territory in helping to keep law and order throughout the territory. The second group of persons that I think they should invite is the Special Constabulary.”

According to him, the post of Constable was done away with over the years, however, the younger people may not be aware of the significant role that they played in all of the districts in the territory in order to maintain law and order.

“Most of them have passed on, there might be still a few with us and what I would like to see done as far as the Police Department is concerned is that those who are alive do send them an invitation and if they are able to attend, they will attend, and those who have passed on, but have offsprings, you should invite their offspring and let them be a part of this grand anniversary celebration.”

The outspoken host remarked that it is his hope that the police do not feel put out that he is so “bold to make some suggestions concerning how the ceremony to mark their anniversary should be.”

He said the Special Constabulary was established in the late 1960’s and there were many problems occurring in the VI and as a result, a number of persons volunteered their services to the RVIPF to maintain the order during that critical period in the territory’s history.

Calls for reactivation of Special Constabulary

“We all served well and assisted the police in their duties and after many years it seemed like it fizzled out and we all went our separate ways,” Wheatley noted, adding that he is a firm believer and advocator for the reactivation of the Special Constabulary.

Among benefits, he continued, will be to serve as a backup in times of stress or illness of officers.

“So I hope that those persons who will be planning the events pay those two considerations in mind.”

In exactly one and a half week, three officers in the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF): Constables Delma Tavenier-Perez and Joeverne Webb, and Acting Chief Inspector Smyrna Brewley, will be vying for the top spot as well as the opportunity to represent the Virgin Islands in a regional law enforcement pageant to be held right here in the territory in 2017.

The local pageant, being held as part of the RVIPF’s 50th anniversary, will take place on Saturday October 29, 2016 at the Road Town Police Station from 7:00 P.M. The trio will compete in Drills, Talent and Evening Wear segments.

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