Weakened, marginalised & embarrassed: Premier Smith fights back
In an equally hurried national address following the weekly programme Umoja on ZBVI 780 AM on Thursday March 16, 2017, the Premier of the Virgin Islands questioned the motive of the press conference and called the action “extremely regrettable and concerning.” He also made reference to a five percent increase in budgetary allocations for the RVIPF, over last year, including several cheques that are allegedly still awaiting pickup by the RVIPF at the Treasury Department since December, 2016.
Cheques for VIPF collecting dust since December- Premier
These approved financing allegedly include funds for six interceptor vehicles, an upgrade of CCTV camera system, purchase of law enforcement equipment, renovations for the Road Town Police Station, maintenance of engine of police boats among others have been, according to the Premier, at the Treasury Department collecting dust since December.
Some $116,000 for the continuation of a “prudent” police operation is in the Ministry of Finance pending a formal request to process the funding, the purchase of vehicles for police training and supplies for new equipment for police training camp, have all been approved and paper works received, Premier Smith stated.
“As you can see, this government has never shied away from ensuring the safety and security of the people of this territory and providing the finances to do so, and we are not about to do so now,”
Extremely regrettable & concerning
Premier Smith remarked. “I find it extremely regrettable that the Governor should feel it necessary to invoke his reserved powers on matters such as this, where more funding has been given to the police in 2017, ongoing initiatives are well supported, and there are proper governance and administrator processes to be followed that can be found in any democratic society.”
In addition, he said it was “extremely concerning,” since in addition to rules provided in the budgetary financial resources he, along with the Deputy Premier Dr The Hon Kedrick D. Pickering (R7) and the Commissioner of Police Mr Michael Matthews, meet biweekly in security meetings where concerns relating to safety and security are dealt with.
“We have always dealt with these in an amicable and respectful manner and I am fully confident that this will continue.”
“ I am not sure what the motive of the governor was,” he continued, “calling this press conference, but the people of the territory will recall that we have just concluded the budgetary process where this Honourable House has allocated $16.1 million to the police force; an increase over 2016 of $770,000 or approximately five percent.”
Background
The Governor John S. Duncan OBE, in what has been described as a hurriedly arranged press briefing on Thursday March 16, 2017, informed the public of his decision, making it the first time in the Virgin Islands’ modern political history that a Governor has used his reserved powers under the 2007 Constitution of the Virgin Islands to interfere in domestic affairs.
He had also made his intentions known to Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL), Deputy Premier Dr The Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering (R7) and the Cabinet Secretary, during an emergency National Security Council meeting held yesterday.
It was just last month that Governor Duncan made public that since the NDP took office they have cut the Police operations budget by some 46% percent and told persons at a government ceremony that this administration has no regard for “priority in spending.”
Governor Duncan told the few members of the press a few hours ago that “I just came from the National Security Council (NSC) meeting where I met with the Members to discuss the shortfall in the budget for the police force...After a long discussion I informed the Premier that I am not prepared to allow the situation to continue so I am invoking Section 103 of the Constitution, which allows the Governor to authorise that expenditure.”
RVIPF always received monies- Premier
Meanwhile, Premier Smith gave the assurance to the people that special budgetary attention was always given to the RVIPF. The same is true for the other law enforcement organs of the Governor’s group, such as the Magistrate’s wing, the Attorney Generals chambers and the Supreme Court.
He said these departments are considered important, for the proper functioning of the safety and security of the people and in cases where matters come up in which there are no budgetary allocations, the RVIPF is always given “extra consideration.”
Proper documentation required
Premier Smith further informed that the Ministry of Finance requires proper documentation-invoices, agreement of contracts- so that requests can be processed in the proper manner, as per the Public Finance Management Act, so as to ensure proper governance and transparency principles.
His close to nine minutes response ended by reiterating the government’s “unswerving” and “unreserved” commitment to the RVIPF and the safety and security of the people of the VI, vowing to ensuring that all law enforcement will be upheld in the highest standards and support it to the highest levels.
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27 Responses to “Weakened, marginalised & embarrassed: Premier Smith fights back”
MORE DAM PROBLEM
Now get funds for immigration and customs.
The Governor is very selective in his actions, taking care of his boys. Prior to the 08 June 2015 general election, the Guv conveniently stayed out local politics by denying the Opposition request for a Commission of Inquiry on the Tortola Pier Park project. Further, there are other services that are unfunded like law enforcement, i.e. sewage collection/treatment/disposal..........etc but the Guv is as silent as a church mouse. Moreover, an annual financial audit has not been laid on the table at HOA for over a decade but nary a word from the Guv.
Moreover, I'm not an advocate for independence but the VI need to move with Usain Bolt speed for constitutional changes to give it more autonomy in its affairs. That said, constitutional changes achieved, the electorate must stay engaged to hold government feet to the fire.
Additionally, I'm not averse to increasing funding for the RVIPF. However, too often we throw money at a problem and often times money is not the core issue. Has the RVIPF demonstrated optimum use of the resources allotted? For example after dark, police presence on the streets is scarcer than gold at Fallen Jerusalem. Sitting at a desk waiting for a call or a visit is not the only action that should be going on. Police needs to be on mobile patrol 364/24/7. Criminals should always be on edge that cops are just around the corner. The element of surprise is valuable police action. Police presence deter crime.
Moreover, there are no Pilates on this funding and crime issue. Government has the responsibility to commensurately fund law enforcement relatively to other needs. Of course, government will advocate that money is allocated based on competitive needs. Every agency will declare that their organization is highly critical and additional funding is needed. Thus, government must allocate funding based on competiting priority. Grossly overdue, government needs to release all the financial audits so that there is transparency on where the territory is financially.
I'm of the view that police should be patrolling our streets 365/24/7. This may not go over well with many especially the folks in law enforcement but it seems like at sundown police "haul en". Unlike foot patrol, mobile patrol cover a lot territory in a short period of time. The popo should be putting a ton of miles on their patrol vehicles. What is the minimum staffing of the force?
The US Bureau of Justice Statistics(BJS) suggests typically 2-2.5 fulltime officers per 1000 population or 22 full time officers per 10K population. For the BVI with an approximate population of 30,000 this equates to 75 officers at the high end of the 2-2.5 range. Of course these are average and minimum numbers. Clearly, there are other factors that play into the numbers, i.e., terrain, number of islands.......etc. Others can dispute and provide their numbers, for I'm no law enforcement expert. Just a grad of Manda School. Is the current 200 person force a low number?
Moreover, each of us act out of self interest. Very rarely do head of agencies admit that their agencies are adequately resourced. The exception to this is perhaps Rex Tillerson, current US Secretary of State. The State Department budget was cut(proposed) 30% and surprisingly the Sec. says no sweat. Invariably, agency budgets strive for the moon knowing that their actual budget will land somewhere between the moon and earth. Typically, BVI departments budgets are incremental budgets; ideally, they should be zero base budgets, i.e., every line item should be justified. Nuff talk, dun tark and time fe action.