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UPDATE: Police say 4 officers interdicted from duty

-as investigations continue into allegations of corruption
Following this news site’s August 28, 2014 reporting of the submission to the Governor of a petition signed by over 50 percent of officers on the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force calling for an investigation into corruption, the Police today October 10, 2014 announced that four officers who had been sent on compulsory leave have now been interdicted from duty. Photo: VINO/File
This news site had put the question to Governor John S. Duncan OBE through his office as to whether he was in receipt of the petition sent in by the Police Welfare Association and what actions he intended to take. When this news site made inquiries to the Governor’s Office today we were told that he would be available to be interviewed in the new week. Photo: VINO/File
This news site had put the question to Governor John S. Duncan OBE through his office as to whether he was in receipt of the petition sent in by the Police Welfare Association and what actions he intended to take. When this news site made inquiries to the Governor’s Office today we were told that he would be available to be interviewed in the new week. Photo: VINO/File
Sources within the National Democratic Party (NDP) and this news site’s well placed sources within the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) have today August 28, 2014 confirmed that a petition signed by over 50 percent of all ranks of the Police Force has been dropped off at Government House. The petition which this news site’s NDP sources also confirmed was copied to the controversial Commissioner of Police David Morris (right) and to the Police Service Commission called for the Governor John S. Duncan OBE, (left) to appoint an independent investigator to address alleged corruption within the Police Force. Photo: VINO/File/Provided
Sources within the National Democratic Party (NDP) and this news site’s well placed sources within the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) have today August 28, 2014 confirmed that a petition signed by over 50 percent of all ranks of the Police Force has been dropped off at Government House. The petition which this news site’s NDP sources also confirmed was copied to the controversial Commissioner of Police David Morris (right) and to the Police Service Commission called for the Governor John S. Duncan OBE, (left) to appoint an independent investigator to address alleged corruption within the Police Force. Photo: VINO/File/Provided
The Police Welfare Association under the leadership of Sergeant Hendrickson Williams has also been battling the top police brass of the Force on a number of issues and has been keeping Commissioner Morris' feet to the fire. Photo: Facebook
The Police Welfare Association under the leadership of Sergeant Hendrickson Williams has also been battling the top police brass of the Force on a number of issues and has been keeping Commissioner Morris' feet to the fire. Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Following this news site’s reporting of the submission to the Governor a petition signed by over 50 percent of officers on the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force calling for an investigation into corruption, the Police today October 10, 2014 announced that four officers who had been sent on compulsory leave have now been interdicted from duty.

“Four officers from the Royal Virgin Island Police Force have been interdicted from duty by the Commissioner of Police David Morris pending the outcome of investigations into an allegation of corruption,” said a press release from the Police Public Relations Officer Diane Drayton today.

“These officers have been on leave while approval was sought from his Excellency the Governor through the Police Service Commission for their interdiction,” it said.

“In accordance with the RVIPF policy, the names of the officers will not be released and no further comment will be made while the investigation is ongoing,” the release said.

This news site had put the question to Governor John S. Duncan through his office as to whether he was in receipt of the petition sent in by the Police Welfare Association and what actions he intended to take.

When this news site made inquiries to the Governor’s Office today we were told that he would be available to be interviewed in the new week.

See previous story published on August 28, 2014:

New Governor petitioned over alleged Police Corruption

-Over 50% of all ranks of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force via the Police Welfare Association signed Petition to Governor 

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Sources within the National Democratic Party (NDP) and this news site’s well placed sources within the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) have today August 28, 2014 confirmed that a petition signed by over 50 percent of all ranks of the Police Force has been dropped off at Government House.

The petition which this news site’s NDP sources also confirmed was copied to the controversial Commissioner of Police David Morris and to the Police Service Commission called for the Governor John S. Duncan OBE, to appoint an independent investigator to address alleged corruption within the Police Force.

The newly appointed United Kingdom Governor seemed to have his hands filled having to also address a request by the Opposition Virgin Islands Party (VIP) for a Commission of Inquiry into the Ports Development Project. It is this news sites’ understanding that Governor Duncan told a handpicked group of media houses that the allegations submitted by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in their report are “serious” and he will have an answer for the Opposition before year end.

The RVIPF for the past three years particularly, under UK national David Morris has seen low morale, his officers taking him to court over alleged violations of their rights, more police officers coming forward with internal information and a rift between the white UK officers and the blacks and the Caribbean officers and locals.

When Mr. Morris came to the post of Commissioner of Police he claimed that he would root out the “undesirables” in the force, however to date it is unclear whether this was achieved.

According to this news site well placed sources within both the ruling government and the Police Force no specific area of alleged corruption was cited in the petition to the governor.

The Police Welfare Association under the leadership of Sergeant Hendrickson Williams has also been battling the top police brass of the Force on a number of issues and has been keeping Commissioner Morris' feet to the fire.

It is believed that the rift in the RVIPF is growing deeper and many are questioning whether a UK national understands the social and cultural dynamics of running a force made up of 95 percent men and women of African descent.

It remains unclear if the new Governor had sight of the petition. When his office was called, staff there said that they would be finding out and would have been getting back to this news site. However up to post time there was no further word from the Governor’s office.

When the office of the Commissioner of Police was contacted, this news site was directed to the office of the Police Public Relations Officer Carl Mason, who told this news site that he was preparing a response to the Petition but was not prepared to give a comment to this news site.

Morris has continued to advise the Government of the day that crime is down while others disagree with his analysis including the Opposition in Parliament.

It remains unknown if detailed statistics have been forthcoming as to the areas where Mr. Morris claims that crime has dropped or the years in comparison. Many ordinary residents feel strongly that crime is on the rise in the Overseas Territory and the business community is reported to be feeling the brunt of it.

It is unclear with the closure of a police station on the western end of Tortola, how that has affected crime fighting strategies and crime in general.

Currently, there remain over 10 unsolved murders in the Virgin Islands with a population of less than 40 thousand people.

61 Responses to “UPDATE: Police say 4 officers interdicted from duty”

  • son of the soil (28/08/2014, 08:36) Like (13) Dislike (48) Reply
    Too many corrupt oversea cops on our force.
    • overseas (28/08/2014, 10:43) Like (65) Dislike (20) Reply
      Like mr morris said, if the locals could simply read and write they would get a chance to join the force, so as long as the locals remain dumb the islands man will keep joining the force.
      • Me (28/08/2014, 12:51) Like (14) Dislike (6) Reply
        if a local had say that bull $#!+
      • island man (28/08/2014, 13:26) Like (12) Dislike (5) Reply
        Lol tola is a continent man lol woi island u say lol u all dont want u all kids to be officers I learn that long time to much related issues
      • @overseas (28/08/2014, 13:34) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
        SMH!!!! only in the Virgin Islands
      • sea breeze (28/08/2014, 17:09) Like (2) Dislike (9) Reply
        And you and morris just as dumb and you cant survive in your own country to dumb no brains to get your finance going. You know look all there ass up may the chips fall where they may thieves
      • Really??? (29/08/2014, 12:46) Like (18) Dislike (8) Reply
        I am very surprise at this statement because all the times I have been at the station [3 times] and have had to get statements from Officers all of whom were from overseas you would be ashame to read the utter rubbish written. The grammar and writing is on par with a class three primary school student...that is what Morris needs to address and stop spreading propaganda on the local cops just because he trying to fill up the BVI with his UK cops who dont even want to go out in the community.
      • perry (30/08/2014, 07:58) Like (24) Dislike (2) Reply
        Everyone have their opions.In my opion Mr.Morris is doing a great job by weeding out the bad weeds.Why are the police officers so hostile with Mr.Morris,for the same reason he's taking out all the bad apples.Don't get me wrong,we do have few good ones in the bunch.But I say thanks Mr.Morris you are a man of principle.Job well done.
    • @ son of the soil (28/08/2014, 12:03) Like (7) Dislike (32) Reply

      It all depend on who m..ris fren dem is

    • josey (28/08/2014, 14:36) Like (20) Dislike (4) Reply
      Hi good afternoon. It has alot of overseas cops because some of my own people will not join the force because all the unsolved cases will be solved. i am just saying.
    • Jake Hoyt (10/10/2014, 15:56) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      its the local ones to that are corrupt, they all abuse the power of the badge
  • asura (28/08/2014, 08:39) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
    Well saw look trouble for me today
  • HMMM (28/08/2014, 08:49) Like (39) Dislike (3) Reply
    Also, I dont understand how officers who are known perpetrators of domestic violence could be given top posts in that organisation. That is why the public have No respect for the police. They do not adhere to the law so how they want to enforce it.
  • qc (28/08/2014, 09:53) Like (17) Dislike (32) Reply
    morris is part of the problem
  • chad (28/08/2014, 10:48) Like (20) Dislike (2) Reply
    What about the magistrate court system that needs to look into your excellency. Too many child support cases are been swept under the table (people been paid off), files gone missing and too many cases not resolved always been put off. This is something that needs urgent attention like now. Please ur excellency bring in ur troops and get this system organize today. It is so wrong what they are doing to these single parents and kids.
  • undercover (28/08/2014, 10:49) Like (35) Dislike (2) Reply
    Most of them in plane clothes does tell the guys on the street when the Police coming to search their ares
  • LEGAL TEAM and the LAW (28/08/2014, 11:15) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Let me read the V.I Constitution and the Police Act, to satisfy myself that Chairman of the PWA has acted Constitutionally and Lawfully,when he spear-headed this document to the Governor,in free and democratic BVI.
    • Hmmmm (29/08/2014, 09:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Having read what the Constitution have to say about freedom of express, I am of the view that what the Sgt have done would have some merit under this section. Section 23 of the Constitution states,
      Protection of freedom of expression 23.—

      (1) No person shall be hindered in the enjoyment of his or her freedom of expression.

      (2) A person’s freedom of expression includes freedom to hold opinions without interference, freedom to receive information and ideas without interference, freedom to disseminate information and ideas without interference (whether to the public generally or to any person or class of persons) and freedom from interference with his or her correspondence or other means of communication.

      (3) Nothing in any law or done under its authority shall be held to contravene this section to the extent that it is reasonably justifiable in a democratic society— (a) in the interests of defence, public safety, public order, public morality or public health
      for the purpose of protecting the reputations, rights and freedoms of other persons, or the private lives of persons concerned in legal proceedings or proceedings before statutory tribunals, preventing the disclosure of information received in confidence, maintaining the authority and independence of the courts, or regulating telecommunications, posts, broadcasting or public shows;

      or (c) that imposes restrictions on public officers that are reasonably required for the proper performance of their functions. (4) For the purposes of subsection (3)(c), “law” in subsection (3) includes directions in writing regarding the conduct of public officers generally or any class of public officer issued by the Government of the Virgin Islands.
  • Enforcement is Key (28/08/2014, 12:08) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    After the fact now David Morris come but he putting officers on leave things that make you go hummmmmm
    • Tin to talk (28/08/2014, 13:16) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
      The previous governor did know about all this revelations, he refuse to act, i sarry for the new govenar he get it wen the thing hot. The police depatment leaders they are all corrupt, they sat there and do nothing while there is complain abaut police in currupt dealings when they go to people house and investegating persons of the public.
    • Enforcement is Key (the real Enf is Key) (29/08/2014, 09:13) Like (11) Dislike (6) Reply
      David Morris is doing an excellent job weeding out the corrupt. You all know who are the corrupt cops. Until BVIslanders accept that we can make a difference with honesty, sadly however the community in the BVI is brought up in their families with deceit and lies seemingly easier and what they believe in the short term to be more effective however what we have is the opposite. In the long term, it is their lack of integrity that have bred a community of corruption.
  • Sandy (28/08/2014, 12:39) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
    i think that he is going leave in december his time will be up only if he too want an extention like his partner mccleary
  • Umm (28/08/2014, 13:06) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    "a petition signed by over 50 percent of all ranks of the Police Force has been dropped off at Government House."

    So these 50%+ are the good guys then, they trying to say they not corrupt? I take it that they adhere to rules, policies & follow everything by the book rite? Oh ok, well I just saw a unicorn hanging out with a leprechaun sipping tea with kermit.

    • bvi (28/08/2014, 15:37) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      who cares, see whatever you want and think whatever you want, your thoughts have absolutely no bearings on who those officers are.
  • bird eye (28/08/2014, 13:27) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    They send 4 on leave yesterday to run an investigation on them they taking money from people and turning in what they want and keeping the rest but them time coming hope them could face the music
  • LCS (28/08/2014, 16:35) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
    Clean the HOUSE!!! No matter who they are, locals, island man or anybody; top or bottom. Get rid of them!
  • legal team (28/08/2014, 17:39) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    Section 23 of the V.I Constitution and section 68 of the Police Act, both Give the Chairman of the PWA the Constitutional authority and lawful power to write a petition to the Governor..

    Morris better take Sergeant Williams to be his Legal adviser..
    • doc (28/08/2014, 22:47) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ legal team please show the public where in those two sections you quoted where it give the chairman of the police welfare association authority to petiti
      • it don't (29/08/2014, 12:09) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
        Section 68: No representation shall be made by the Association
        in relation to any question of discipline.....

        Morris better add another one to he list
  • Neighbor (28/08/2014, 19:20) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    Third world you jamming. Please dont let them take you down. Them been fighting you from time you got your hand on that tape. Play it for the governor
    • Seeing through the farce (28/08/2014, 20:50) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
      There is a saying: Pot calls the kettle black. And I quote from a blogger:

      "So these 50%+ are the good guys then, they trying to say they not corrupt? I take it that they adhere to rules, policies & follow everything by the book rite?"

      I didn't think so either....those that beat their spouses, abuse their children, sleep with each other, sleep with each other's spouses, commit traffic offenses, drink while on duty and in uniform, inform their friends when there is a report against them, divulge sensitive information, don't pay their rent, don't pay their bills in general, don't support their children: all of that is corruption too! Doesn't anyone think of it that way? We see them in the Public everyday. Now I wish the governor would investigate all of them, the whole RVIPF, and send home any body who falls into any category. Call them in one by one. The BVI would be left without a force.

      Since there was no specific area of alleged corruption listed in the petition, then my dear governor, please start with those who are petitioning you. Just light a candle to them and see what is burning there. Thank you.

    • Too late shall be their cry! (29/08/2014, 01:57) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Tape is on its way to the foreign and commonwealth office!!! MARK MY WORDS!!!!!
      • well sa (01/09/2014, 14:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        If its the same tape everyone has with all that rubbish then the FCO will laugh at us for sure. Strupes
        • @well sa (04/09/2014, 09:07) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
          they already laughing reading these ill informed hateful racist blogs ...
  • hope hill (28/08/2014, 20:02) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    just hope this govenor is not like the last one
  • alpine (28/08/2014, 20:50) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yea Commissioner its time none of them above the law do wrath you have to do its high time you star to clean up
  • Realistic (28/08/2014, 21:27) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    "Seeing through the farce" you sound like a disgruntled old farce! Those things you highlighted is not corruption. You are mentioning things that officers who are real human beings face. Name a country in the world where your laundry list have none of those things existing! Even if the police were to be squeaky clean you and the other phaetetic bloggers would still try to find dirt. What did they try to do to President Obama? So please go look yourself in the mirror.
    • dd (29/08/2014, 08:51) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Amen, thank you. Most of them that here bloging needs to go look in the mirror, a bunch of no good police haters, they only want to see the police when people comes in to take them out.
  • guth (29/08/2014, 09:32) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    No one will go to jail
  • eye witness (29/08/2014, 09:38) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    Check them in east end they all is womanizers. Even the little school girls they checking all on the net they hunting as hunters get a life the east end police internet hunter.
  • them dam police (29/08/2014, 11:55) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    them dam police don't have any RESPECT!!!! I work for government and i went on a DDM COURSE with some of our police officers, and they cracking jokes with in their selves,being loud while the man from DDM was speaking and conducting there selves in a DISRESPECTFUL MANNER!!! I was so disgusted by there behavior
  • Hmmmmmmm (29/08/2014, 22:59) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    You heard them doing that and did not draw that to the attention of the COP? Shame on you! Don't tell us, tell COP!
  • Cool Ruler (30/08/2014, 06:12) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
    The chairman and the entire executive and all those others who signed that petition contravenes section 68 subsection 2 of the police act chapter 165. Shame on all of you. The law is clear on the functions of the pwa executive so tell me how sending a petition fits into your function or into what the law mandated you to do
    • Manabouttown (31/08/2014, 08:28) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
      Cool Ruler I have seen that you have graduated from the school of dumbness. For the benefit of the readers section 68 subsection 2 of Cap 165 states," No representation shall be made by the Association in relation to any question of discipline, promotion, transfer or leave unless some question of principle is involved". Now you go and read your ABC.
      • Cool Ruler (31/08/2014, 14:20) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
        Oh boy when you are going to respond to someone else post you surely got to read and understand or interpret what you read. Yes you rightfully quoted the section and by you quoting it I can safely say that your are a cop but one word I will highlight to you from your quote is "discipline". Now tell me, what are the disciplinary offences a member of the force can commit and then answer this, if your chairman and other members of the force is going to petition the governor to conduct investigation into allegations of corruption isn't it a fact that you are saying that members of the force are allegedly involve in criminal conduct or contravening the disciplinary code of the force so therefore are you not asking the governor from that petition that if evidence is found that disciplinary or criminal charges be brought. Therefore in laymans term are you not making representation for disciplinary or criminal charges if anyone is found culpable. So look at it in the long term. 'Manabouttown" and tell me who is the graduate from the school of dumbness. That's why so many officers get in trouble because they cannot interpret the very laws by which they are govern or should uphold
        • whotoblame (31/08/2014, 17:43) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
          Cool Ruler, you are at a lost poor you. Who deals with disciplinary matter? Why the Welfare Association petition the Governor to look into an alleged misconduct? Its a matter of interpretation your favorite words. The world is laughing at you. Manabouttown has gave you the section of the law and I will say to you, sit down dumbell.
          • doc (01/09/2014, 06:45) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
            @who to blame, you just as bad as manabout town, yes he has given the section and cool ruler could not have put it any clearer, it matters not who deals with discipline, by petitioning the Governor to conduct investigation you all are simply saying that persons are involving in criminal conduct or committing acts against discipline. By the way I know you are the same person using different names and yes you rightfully said it, it's all about interpretation, go and read and understand, you only possess the basic and grab what you read without understanding
          • Cool Ruler (01/09/2014, 07:01) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
            @whotoblame I am convinced that you are also manabouttown, does it matter who deals with discipline? I don't think I could have put it any clearer for you but I can see you are hopeless in your manner of thinking and comprehending, you are a reader but cannot analyze what you read. So think about who the world laughing at
  • Real (30/08/2014, 12:36) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    The chairman also contravened the general orders. I'm now wondering if this is a whole set up on his part. Maybe a personal vendetta? I hope they can take care of those who signed too. Bunch of fools who won't read and educate themselves.
  • Fake chairman (30/08/2014, 14:46) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
    Remember Mr. Chair....when you bent over the victim no one petitioned you....an allegation is just what it is....an allegation...domestic violence is also an allegation when the wife does not report it....every man can say this officers did what and what's no but you know what I found out that a lot of so called Alleged criminals respect those two notable detectives as one website referred to them more than the force. When they are on the job rain sun holiday they were found on the job.....other criminals will hate them to scorn because they were being seen out there more than any other.....heard one officer say he will not say good or bad but check the court lists and if it's not those two nothin is going on.......people there are three sides to a story.... Don't rush to judgement pulling down these officers before you know for sure what's going on will not be good....
  • Concerned, C (30/08/2014, 17:26) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Governor, What is required here is not just an independent investigation of these officers allegedly accused, but a full scale commission of enquiry into the RVIPF. Certainly, this enquiry will exonerate the good names of the honorable men and women of the RVIPF that remains standing.
  • wize up (31/08/2014, 06:54) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    we have unsolved murders going back to willis pickering and nat penn; many many year ago...crime is solved with information; a number of "us" in the bvi knows who have done these crimes but say nothing....
  • ccc (01/09/2014, 10:37) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    Morris must go
  • witness (03/09/2014, 05:42) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    The force is corrupted. I have had an experience where I witnessed an incident and decided to share the info. with the investigating officer. That officer refused to take the info. because of who was involved.

    I wrote a statement and took it to the inspector that was responsible for the division. I told him of the constable's unwillingness to do his job (apparently because of who was involved.) The inspector agreed (or at least so I thought,) he took the document from me and I have never heard from him again. That was about eight months ago. If that isn't corruption in the highest ranks, then tell me what is.
  • y (10/10/2014, 16:10) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    the next step need too b in customs!
  • Charter captain lol (10/10/2014, 21:59) Like (1) Dislike (6) Reply
    And imagine these fers going. Around. Like. They did nothing. They. Better. Rub for. Cover
  • Ghost (11/10/2014, 19:47) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Why the prosecution allow these same cops to testify in cases still, this is unfair and should be look into as
    for the interest of justice and it is unfair to each accuse
  • sea view (13/10/2014, 14:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    My concern is seriously why the names of these officers are not publish , are these police immune to the law , how could the dpp allowed these cops to still take the witness stand in pending cases , this practice is unfair and unjust to the accused , the credibilty of these officers must be question , i know who they are , a am not at liberty to say cause maybe this news site wont publish my blog , but this is serious , the cases that were handled by these cops need to be thrown out in the interest of justice , mr govornor we need ur help , and the dpp should know this , it is unfair to whoever accused , we need transparency so let the names be publish they are not immune to the law even if it is even on suspicion the public need to kno , supposed these same cops still posed themselves as cops on duty hence we need transpearency for the k interest of the public .


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