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Community policing relaunched with 16 officers

- previously there were only 6 community policing officers, according to CoP Mark Collins
Some of the officers to be deployed across the territory for community policing at the relaunch ceremony on June 1, 2021. From 2nd from left in front row are Superintendent of Police Jacqueline E. Vanterpool, Governor John J. Rankin, CMG and Commissioner of Police Mark Collins. Photo: VINO
Head of the community policing initiative, Superintendent of Police Ms Jacqueline E. Vanterpool said they are looking forward to not only be felt while out in communities but also to be seen. Photo: VINO/File
Head of the community policing initiative, Superintendent of Police Ms Jacqueline E. Vanterpool said they are looking forward to not only be felt while out in communities but also to be seen. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- After a hiatus of some four years, the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has reintroduced community policing as one of the strategies to combat crime and restore the community's trust in the police.

It was on May 25, 2021, during his first press conference with the media, that new commissioner of Police Mr Mark Collins spoke passionately about his commitment to having community policing back in place and, just a week later, the group of some 16 officers were introduced to the territory.

Speaking at a simple launch ceremony at Police Headquarters on June 1, 2021, Mr Collins said, "I firmly believe that community policing is the foundation to effective citizen focus service and will increase performance, confidence and satisfaction in our communities, the people you see before you are the faces of the RVIPF. I welcome them into their new roles and wish them well."

A positive step forward- Gov Rankin

Present at the ceremony also was Governor John J. Rankin, CMG who said he firmly believes community policing is more effective policing, which is "The police working with local communities, getting to know the local businesses, the restaurants, the schools, the parents, grandparents and children in their areas building their trust in the police and the police understanding their needs of what they are looking forward from the effective police service."

He added, "So I believe this will help to take police to a further positive step forward in BVI, I believe it would produce results in terms of building community confidence."

Head of the community policing initiative, Superintendent of Police Ms Jacqueline E. Vanterpool said they are looking forward to not only be felt while out in communities but also to be seen. "We are looking forward to a productive policing strategy from today onwards as we reinforce that every officer is a community policing officer.

In the past, according to Cop Collins, there were only six community police officers for the entire territory. It's now up to 16.

7 Responses to “Community policing relaunched with 16 officers”

  • heat (02/06/2021, 09:37) Like (36) Dislike (15) Reply
    Our new community police officers should get out of their air conditioned vehicles all day so they can feel the heat of the community as they walk around. Too many police here hide behind the community in their tinted cool patrol cars.
  • lol (02/06/2021, 10:15) Like (21) Dislike (1) Reply
    Hope its successful this time .
  • Positive steps (02/06/2021, 10:51) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good one. We have relatively safe communities but many don’t want police around when it’s quiet because they’re job includes locking otherwise peaceful people up for small amounts of therapeutic & sacramental vegetable matter.

    The case where someone went to report a crime at the station and a dime bag dropped out of their pocket comes to mind.

    Assent the law, then integration & community policing will be more fruitful.
  • Criminals (02/06/2021, 11:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Are there opportunities to be gainfully employed, are there programs geared towards helping the less fortunate, is the community willing to step in to access those who are struggling.... if Yes THEN!!!!!

    We all know who the bad guys are, they depend on the process, burden of proof, perhaps we should treat them with the same disrespect and forgo the need for burdens.
  • yea right!!!! (02/06/2021, 11:26) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    seeing is believing
  • good (02/06/2021, 12:51) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Commissioner, you are a good man. Please keep the same energy throughout and you will continue to have the support of most. I used to question what the previous commissioner was really doing in terms of community engagement.
  • Uncle (02/06/2021, 14:06) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    We will await the "SERVICE".


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