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RVIPF faces considerable challenges- Gov John S. Duncan

- said state of other police stations scarcely better than WE Police Station before it was refurbished
The West End Police Station was yesterday October 30, 2015 reopened following months of rehabilitation work to the building that had been declared unfit to house police officers as the promise of further maintenance work to other facilities was made. Photo: VINO
Some of the residents of the First District in attendance. Photo: VINO
Some of the residents of the First District in attendance. Photo: VINO
Territorial At Large Representative Hon Archibald C. Christian, PS in the Deputy Governor's Office David D. Archer and First District Representative Hon Andrew A. Fahie in attendance. Photo: VINO
Territorial At Large Representative Hon Archibald C. Christian, PS in the Deputy Governor's Office David D. Archer and First District Representative Hon Andrew A. Fahie in attendance. Photo: VINO
Another section of the audience at the opening ceremony. Photo: VINO
Another section of the audience at the opening ceremony. Photo: VINO
Acting Commissioner of Police Alwyn James (R) taking Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith and Territorial At Large Representative Archibald C. Christian on a tour of the facility. Photo: VINO
Acting Commissioner of Police Alwyn James (R) taking Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith and Territorial At Large Representative Archibald C. Christian on a tour of the facility. Photo: VINO
Premier Smith on a tour of the station accompanied by acting Commissioner of Police Alwyn James. Photo: VINO
Premier Smith on a tour of the station accompanied by acting Commissioner of Police Alwyn James. Photo: VINO
Governor John S. Duncan making remarks at the opening ceremony. Photo: VINO
Governor John S. Duncan making remarks at the opening ceremony. Photo: VINO
Newly refurbished lockups eagerly await wrongdoers. Photo: VINO
Newly refurbished lockups eagerly await wrongdoers. Photo: VINO
The new reception area of the refurbished police station. Photo: VINO
The new reception area of the refurbished police station. Photo: VINO
WEST END, Tortola, VI – The West End Police Station was yesterday October 30, 2015 reopened following months of rehabilitation work to the building that had been declared unfit to house police officers as the promise of further maintenance work to other facilities was made.

Present at the opening were Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith, First District Representative Honourable Andrew A. Fahie, Governor John S. Duncan, Territorial At Large member Honourable Archibald C. Christian, past officers of the RVIPF, officers of the Government and some residents of the district.

RVIPF still faces challenges

Governor John S. Duncan said that despite the achievement of the completion of the newly refurbished building, the RVIPF still faces challenges as it seeks to tackle crime and make the territory safer. He said the protection of a population is the first duty of any government and in the VI that duty is a shared responsibility under the Premier and the Governor.

“Our crime figures are still lower than they were two years ago and our detection figure at 48 percent would be the envy of any police force around the world.”

However, he said that despite these, the RVIPF faces considerable challenges. “When I arrived on island a little over a year ago I toured all the police stations on island and on the sister islands. If the West End station was by far the worst the others were scarcely better.”

He noted that the state of basic infrastructure from patrol cars to boats was seriously deficient.

Criminal investigation

Governor Duncan said that while the force was making progress on the investigative side, the other sections of the justice system must do their part to ensure that justice is served.

“We will continue to rely on our colleagues in the legal sector to follow through on the work of the RVIPF to ensure that justice is handed down swiftly and effectively as the public has every right to demand.”

He said that progress in achieving security has been too slow and have suffered delays and setbacks with the progress that was hoped for. “Nonetheless I am confident that with the support of the Premier, the National Security Council, the British Virgin Islands Government and the officers of the RVIPF we will achieve our objective. This is a good step in the right direction.”

Governor Duncan insisted that as resources are limited, the RVIPF must spend wisely and ensure that they receive value for money. “But they must have the funds to be the effective force all the inhabitants of the BVI and our many visitors demand. I know that I can count on the Premier’s support in making this happen,” he said.

Criminal activity threatens our existence

Speaking at the opening of the West End Police Station, Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith said the opening of the facility is about rekindling the relationship between the Police and the West End community.

He said the partnership is vital to combating criminal activity in the Virgin Islands and reducing the number of unsolved crimes in the community.

“My Government resolves to keeping the BVI safe and as crime free as possible with zero tolerance for gun crimes,” he said. “Criminal activity threatens our existence. It affects our reputation as a safe tourism destination. It affects our reputation as a stable financial services jurisdiction and it affects our ability to safeguard our families,” he said.

According to the Premier, the works included the installation of a new roof and renovations to accommodations and police barracks, the replacement of windows, the installation of new security and fire systems, the installation of interior finishing, and air-conditioning, plumbing and electrical works.

The works cost $318,000 and were completed over a period of nine months, from January to September 2015, said the Premier.

This stands in stark contrast to what the Premier had said while answering questions in the House of Assembly on November 10, 2014. He said then that the works were expected to cost $165,380 and that the Government had no intention of permanently closing the West End Police Station.

Honourable Fahie had been lobbying constantly for the Government to provide resources for the rehabilitation of the building since its closure in May 2014.

13 Responses to “RVIPF faces considerable challenges- Gov John S. Duncan”

  • waste of time (31/10/2015, 10:57) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    This Governor is letting the real criminals get away by not doing his job with the Ports project, the chinese equipment & the list goes on. He talks a good talk but that's all. He is a waste of time!
  • ABC (31/10/2015, 11:00) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    Governors should be seen and not heard
  • To Governor (31/10/2015, 11:01) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Because you have given the NDP freedom to do what they want with no protection or respect for whistle blowers who are public servants then crime will continue to increase. The climate at the top dictates the climate on the street. Governor you are a disappointment.
  • People (31/10/2015, 11:04) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is the worse governor EVER! As for the NDP they are not serious about fighting crime so tell them stop making us think otherwise with their usual nice sounding speeches with no sunstance behind them.
  • we the people (31/10/2015, 14:28) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    This man ducan is bad news edmund is sooo correct he has to go!
  • Music (31/10/2015, 16:19) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    They are so strapped for cash they cannot even buy printer ink!
  • Ears (31/10/2015, 17:03) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
    Police are over paid base on their results. They get all the benefits. Nurses work much harder than police get less pay and no benefit. A police after 7 years can become a documented belonger. Then why a nursd that serves 10 yrs cant automatically become a documented resident?...Maybe Police have better representation.
  • patrol police (31/10/2015, 17:27) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    I saw two police women patrolling in town. The heavier one is about 165 lbs. I said wow. It can't get worst than this. Is it management that making these bad decisions. Trust me. two police women cannot arrest a violent man. Especially if he is crazy. They will get hurt. I know big 6ft plus educated guys applied and get turned down. I know big guys don't have the guts and heart. Roughness and toughness like a 5ft 5, 6, 7 or 5ft 8 guy. But two 5ft 6inches 155lb girls together on the street. Naaaah. That need correcting.
  • finders keepers (31/10/2015, 17:59) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    The RVIPF make numerous cash seizures every year, (over 1 million usd in 2012), drugs money in transit, plus seizures under proceeds of crime. All this money goes to the government rather than share with the police as in other countries. A financial incentive would help fund police infrastructure, save government money, and let criminals know that their seized dollars are fighting crime.
  • A big joke (31/10/2015, 19:41) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    so they close down cane garden bay police station to operate west no police station. What a big joke. This is what the senior management of the ripe did????? And said west end has been reopened
    • Common Sense (01/11/2015, 10:44) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      Common sense isn't that common as we want to believe. The residents of Cane Garden Bay should now asked their Representative why is it that the station is closed and left almost unmanned whilst a station is being reopen? This is ludicrous and preposterous. So the management of the RVIPF simply removed the officers from CGBPS and send them to the WEPS and left the entire district 2 communities with proper policing. Mitch Turnbull we need to hear your voice now and asked some "common sense" questions because this is utter rubbish. If so be the case government need to give up the CGBPS building to the owner and stop paying rent for a building that is not been used for its purpose. Channel the money elsewhere.
  • truth unfold (31/10/2015, 21:02) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    The govenor just reach. What are you blaming him for. Blame ourselves if you looking for someone to blame.
  • ABC (02/11/2015, 10:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Justice for alll is one of the biggest


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