Complaints from public on police will be ‘properly’ investigated – CoP Matthews vows
He made the remark during the recent press conference held on Tuesday, November 10, 2020, to report on the cocaine bust valued at roughly $250 million where two brothers – Liston Davis and Police officer Darren Davis – were charged and denied bail for the offence.
“The officers had to do the unpleasant task of arresting one of their own and seizing the evidence, that is not easy. Those individuals have acted with integrity, courage and impartiality but of course, that will be no reassurance, you are right, there have been previous occasions where the integrity of the RVIPF has been called into account,” Matthews said in response to questions from the media.
“I can reassure the public we take every single one of those allegations most seriously as can be seen by today’s briefing as well as on previous occasions when the RVIPF officers have found themselves facing the court to determine cases,” he added.
RVIPF not unique!
With the same breath, the top cop said the RVIPF is not alone in facing corruption.
“We are not unique in that regard, the police service around the world face this challenge: how do you keep officers honest, to maintain integrity and to ensure the confidence of the public. Part of that is to clearly demonstrate that you have internal procedures that are robust and working effectively to root out corruption.”
“We had our suspicions for some time,” he said, relating to the drug investigation and subsequent bust, “and that’s part and parcel of our internal monitoring.”
We have to 'bring in expertise'- CoP Matthews
Mr Matthews said beyond that he has already included within a proposed strategic plan for going forward for the force that needs to be agreed with the National Security Council that, “in fact, we go further and we bring in expertise for what I call professional standards capabilities.”
He added: “because the public has to know when they make complaints on police if they have complaints about the actions of a police officer those complaints and those suspicions can be taken seriously. I, for one will continue to robustly ensure that when allegations are made, they are investigated properly.”
RVIPF plagued by many issues
Corruption is just one of the many issues plaguing the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force under Mr Matthews, a UK national who is set to make his exit from the RVIPF without successfully handling some of the long-standing problems.
There have been reports of low morale and lack of camaraderie among officers and this has played out in the public sphere such as in April 2020 when two officers were involved in a verbal altercation over parking outside of a shopping centre in Purcell Estate. An investigation was launched; however, it is unclear what was the outcome.
Local police officers, including Caribbean recruits, have alleged being sidelined in favour of UK recruits for top posts and salaries, even while the local officers claim they do most of the work and even training of the same UK 'experts'.
Further, RVIPF officers have recently been accused of using unnecessary force during arrests, including using tasers.
In April, a homeless man was tased even while he was on the ground and appeared to be posing no threat to police, according to a video sent to our newsroom.
Mr Matthews has often been quick to give his officers the benefit of the doubt as, according to him, "most if not all social media videos only show half the story.”
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25 Responses to “Complaints from public on police will be ‘properly’ investigated – CoP Matthews vows”
Them i****** people police need sending home
The top Cop sound just like Donald Trump always involving others and not taking responsibility for what is going on in their neck of the woods. We talking about the British Virgin Islands Police Force he talking about other countries. Boss just admit that you and the Deputy have been sleeping while officers take time to run drugs under your noses. Keep picking all kind of @##*****without doing background check and see what the result is going to be. We did not pick you to run any other police force ,but the one in the B.V.I. so deal with the mess and fix the dam force.
“The officers had to do the unpleasant task of arresting one of their own and seizing the evidence, that is not easy. But according to their taring if your mother has commit an offence yo have to arrest her as well. so what's the big deal. you had so many complaints from the public that your cops are corrupt but ****cover for them now take the shame out of your face and face the truth there are many more that's only the beginning Commander and Chief
As long as it black on black police brutality is only wen that rac**t sh** go defend the mostly black police force let it been a white civilian been brutalize. U wouldn't here the end of that...it dam fact
The problem is to much dam division in the police force ...island man against local...local against white colonialism..and white colonialism for him self and oppression of the country..$%&* simple we need to control your on affairs but with very serious stipulations and awareness of curuption as well from internal influence
Several complains to the police department, witnesses are still available and matter was never brought to the court.
Ayo frade to call names not me I know sh** on a few of them ....but i am broke ..lol. need cash fast
The ******* is the ring leader..watch he there undermining the cheif... lol. Lawdy
Strupes call***** sexually assualted two female officers what did the commissioner do about it?