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Controversial Police Bill passes in HoA
Successfully piloted by Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), he mounted a vigorous defence of the bill during his rebuttal on the evening of January 8, 2025, stressing its importance in not only addressing the Virgin Islands' crime challenges but improving global perceptions of governance and law enforcement in the Territory.
Human Cost
According to Premier Wheatley, “It’s important for us to be very reflective; The Virgin Islands, following the release of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) report, was being characterised internationally as a place where law and order doesn’t exist. I’ve worked hard, and all of us have worked hard, to reverse that perception.”
Further justifying the necessity of the proposed legislation, he deemed it a significant step in addressing the territory’s crime rates and strengthening its reputation globally.
“We have to put mechanisms in place to confront, obstruct, prevent, and arrest illicit activity in our community,” he said, adding that this responsibility is one he takes “very seriously.”
According to the Premier, “I’ve lost several family members to violent crime over the past few years; There’s a real human cost to the illicit activity taking place; We have to confront this issue in a very real way and put politics aside.”
Rejecting accusations that the government was “selling out” the people or failing to protect their interests, Premier Wheatley was adamant, “...we are taking a responsible approach to this issue; The approach taken in the past is partly why we are in the situation we are in now.”
Distrust & Oversight
Additionally, Premier Wheatley in acknowledging public distrust in the police—particularly given their oversight by the Governor and the United Kingdom—also used the occasion to call for measures to bridge the gap between the police and the community.
“Let’s be real, there is a distrust that exists, but a mature approach is acknowledging this and working to fix it.”
According to the Premier, “While we want to give the police the powers necessary to deal with serious problems, we must ensure protections and oversight bodies are in place to prevent abuse of authority.”
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10 Responses to “Controversial Police Bill passes in HoA”
i got nothing to hide and i won't have anyone who into anything living with me either so i good!
i raise right, my siblings raise right, and my friend group raise right so we good
good luck to the criminals and them friends and whoever yall keep in yall circle.
You don’t even have to be a criminal dummy for them to come ..all it takes is 1 call to them from somone who don’t like you ..and they going kick your $&!? in regardless.but carry on ..
This is a known fact worldwide.
No Chest Betting.
In or to kill a tree the root must first be detached from the ground the feeds its growth.
What then are the things that are fueling, so to speak, violent crimes elsewhere and here in the BVI? Bellow is a list of some
1. Hatred against and among family and neighbors.
2. Selfish pride
3. Arrogant mindset.
4. Envy
5. Greediness
6. Random religious beliefs and practices.
7. Physical appearance.
8. Laziness
9. Passiveness
10. Illegal use of dangerous drugs.
11. Political mismanaging of the people finances.
12. Uncomfortable spending of needful money on useless pleasurious activities.
13. Excessive alcoholic drinks.
14. Male and female same sex unGodly practices.
15. Ungodliness.
17. Ignorance
18. Rape of youths by mame and female adults
19. Misuse of dangerous weapons
20. Thief