RVIPF denies claims of racism in 911 response
“I’m aware that there’s a debate… in fact, I read the debate on VINO about this,” said Acting Public Relations Officer, Sergeant Carl Mason.
The response follows a claim made by Mr Steve E. Parillon to a 911 emergency call following an alleged incident of assault between Sonnel G. Hanley and Rosayne Richards near Bobby’s Supermarket on March 25, 2013.
Mr Parillon claimed that questions were asked about the victim’s ethnicity in addition to whether the person was a tourist or local resident.
Sgt. Mason expressed that the scenario indicated that persons did not understand the pressures on Police dispatchers, “they have to obtain detailed descriptions of everybody involved in any assault,” he related.
He used an example in explaining that dispatchers would not know whether the situation might suggest that there is a fight between two persons or whether one person attacks another.
“The description of the victim,” he continued, “is almost, if not as important, as the description of the offender.”
Sgt. Mason stated, “There is no policy [and it’s] nonsense to say that there is a policy… that we differentiate between black and white people in terms of the level of service we give and between tourists and residents and Belongers and Non-Belongers in the same way.”
He also stated that he felt ‘very strongly’ about this. According to Sgt Mason, the contention is “just arid nonsense and speculation and really just absurd.”
The RVIPF’s Acting Public Relations Officer said, “we provide equal care to everybody and there’s nothing to be read into it.”
Giving another scenario, he explained, “…imagine somebody gets attacked and then they disappear from the scene… if the Officer can’t find the person, he needs to know where to look… [if the person] is a tourist, he might be wondering down to the cruise pier now for example because the boat is about to leave… then the Officer would know where to go.”
“I don’t know whether the gentleman was accurate [with regard] to what he was being asked… normal practice would be for the dispatcher to get as much information as possible about the victim and the offender,” he added.
Sgt. Mason noted that the information provided in the specific instance was “sufficiently suitable” for the officers to arrest the alleged perpetrator as they were arriving at the scene, therefore it showed that the system works.
“A description is a description,” he ended.
42 Responses to “RVIPF denies claims of racism in 911 response”
stop tell lie....him done put he foot in he mouth I done lose all respect for the police under Morris
He has categorically denied what we all know to be true…shame shame on you!!
This strikes at the heart of BVI democracy!
People don’t be fooled by this propaganda! They think because they are a bunch of spin doctors that they can do what they want! I have news for them! Watch how quickly this is a two day talk while racism runs rampant from the governor down boss
It's not the Police that answer 911 calls it the Fire Station so what is he talking about and covering his officers, I don't think Mr. Parillion is lying on what he heard in that short space of time.
It is a sickness that makes you people slaves to our history. Grow out of it!
Use rational thinking. Use common sense. Use intelligence.
No matter what this man says, ayo WANT him to be racist, so you shout racist every time he open his mouth.
Instead of listening to him you fall back into slave mentality.
You think all these people are racist? You don't know what real racist are like. They are like South Africa police. They are like Southern KKK. They are filled with hate for people with black skin and driven by a crazy idea that their skin makes them superior.
You calling people who ARE NOT like that racist so you are just wrong and make you look stupid.
Of course, criticize where criticism is due, but it undermines all your complaints when you refuse to use your eyes and your mind and call someone something they quite plainly are not.
I don't know this man, but I seen him around. and like most white, European or American people here, they wouldn't be here if they hate black people. They would stay among their own and live a racially separate life. People like this are not driven by racism, so stop weakening your arguments by shouting it out every time they do something you don't agree with. Realities are harsh. Deal with the complexity of life and stop falling back on race every single time. Don't be feeble minded, is not a good look for the BVI.
Watch CNN for the american stance
Research the last british election for the UK stance
Look in yesterday's news paper for the south African stance
And look at the employment contracts, number of UK US south African emigrants and public school
demographics as a start for the BVI stance
Then of course look at what the Caribbean migrant worker views as a way of life
Do you math then see if that adds up to equal rights and justice in everything like you porport. Miss/master ostrich with your little head in the sand
Take the glasses off and look at the real world. It is ugly, but not in the way you picturing it. Race is just one of our problems, one of many.
Tell me – are there any successful BVIslanders among us?
You telling me the BVI is not full of people with million dollar bank accounts, multiple homes, boats and large vehicles etc? And you telling me they only white people or foreigners?
Do BVIslanders wield any political power over what happens among us?
HA! Every BVI name and his cousin trying to get the next contract before it goes to cabinet! Almost every millionaire businessman behind the scenes is a BVIslander with some way to pressure the government into making policy that benefits them even if it harms the rest of society. To say our troubles are all down to race is just ... nonsense.
Your efforts to reference above are, no surprise, nonsense. "watch CNN for the American stance" WHAT? There is only ONE American view? You really bending reality now.
The 'last british election' - what? only one point of view in Britain, too? What a simple world you live in.
Like the UK and USA and so many others, this is a corrupt political country in which the privileged have power and the average man and woman has almost no say over what happens.
But that is not racial oppression. That is capitalism and greed.
Every time you simple headed nonsense talkers shout 'racism!' when it is not there, you make it harder to change this situation. Shout racism when there is racism, not every time this not-even-white policeman does anything. That just looks like ... nonsense ... and does not help the real cause, which is to take power from the hands of the greedy and help uplift the needy.
But, nonsense, you don't care what I say because you decided I am white ostrich! Thank you for not spreading racism among the community, nonsense.