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CoP for Cayman Islands reviewing complaints against Mark Collins- Governor Rankin

- said Kurt Walton given Terms of Reference to investigate any aspect of petition against Mr Collins
Outgoing Governor of the [British] Virgin Islands (VI) John J. Rankin, CMG has disclosed that the Police Commissioner of the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service, Kurt Walton, is the individual asked to review the myriad complaints against the Police Commissioner of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF), Mark Collins. Photo: caymanmarlroad.com
The leaked emails suggested Mr Mark Collins requested senior ranks of the (RVIPF to destroy certain evidence relevant to a matter involving a now-retired officer. Photo: Facebook/File
The leaked emails suggested Mr Mark Collins requested senior ranks of the (RVIPF to destroy certain evidence relevant to a matter involving a now-retired officer. Photo: Facebook/File
In an interview with JTV Reporter Cathy O. Richards on January 16, 2024, Governor John J. Rankin said Mr Walton Terms of Reference to investigate any aspect of the petition, but it was the leaked email matter that was particularly concerning to him. Photo: Facebook
In an interview with JTV Reporter Cathy O. Richards on January 16, 2024, Governor John J. Rankin said Mr Walton Terms of Reference to investigate any aspect of the petition, but it was the leaked email matter that was particularly concerning to him. Photo: Facebook
FISH BAY, Tortola, VI- Outgoing Governor of the [British] Virgin Islands (VI) John J. Rankin, CMG has disclosed that the Police Commissioner of the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service, Kurt Walton, is the individual asked to review the myriad of complaints against the Police Commissioner of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF), Mark Collins.

In an interview with JTV Reporter Cathy O. Richards on January 16, 2024, Mr Rankin said Mr Walton has been given Terms of Reference to investigate any aspect of the petition, but it was the leaked email matter that was particularly concerning to him.

The leaked emails suggested Mr Collins requested senior ranks of the RVIPF to destroy certain evidence relevant to a matter involving a now-retired officer.

‘You don’t simply suspend a public officer on the basis of an allegation’- Governor

Many in the public; however, have been asking why the Commissioner remains on the job.

“When an allegation is made you don’t simply suspend a public officer on the basis of an allegation. What happens is an investigation is carried out and if that investigation gives grounds on the basis of evidence of believing a disciplinary offense may have been committed and therefore a disciplinary investigation is required, at that point you place the officer on administrative leave.

“So, it’s not the same as the case in relation to the Police Commissioner. So I got the petition of complaint with particular focus in relation to the email issue,” Governor Rankin explained.

No timeframe for review to be completed

Mr Rankin said Mr Walton will “look at the evidence as he sees fit, to pursue the evidence as he sees fit, and then come up with findings, and if those findings, where in the area of an offense may have been committed or disciplinary action may need to be taken, at that point the governor would take a decision in relation to whether placing an individual on administrative leave would be required.

“That’s a fair way of treating it and I want to treat the police commissioner in that way as I have treated other public officers.”

Governor Rankin also said he has not set a timeframe for Mr Walton to complete his review, and he has “given him a free hand on it”.

“I obviously hope it can be done in an efficient and quick way, looking at the evidence and fairness to everyone concerned.

Kurt Walton

The Cayman Brac-born Kurt Walton has served as Deputy Commissioner of Police in the Cayman Islands since 2016 but was promoted to Commissioner late last year.

Mr Walton also served as Chief Superintendent from 2013 to 2016, and Superintendent in charge of Specialist Proactive Operations from 2007 to 2013.

According to caymanmarlroad.com, Mr Walton completed his Senior Investigators training in Barbados in 1997. From 2002 to 2008, he attended the Cayman Islands Law School (University of Liverpool) while working full-time and earned his Bachelor of Law degree (LLB Hons). He also has a Post-Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice and Police Management from the University of Leicester, UK.

After training in the International Command Programme in the UK in 2007, Mr Walton became certified as a Strategic Gold Firearms Commander in 2011. In 2014 he returned to the UK and completed a Strategic Command Course, which focuses on executive leadership training for Assistant and Chief Constable positions.

Additionally, Mr Walton has completed his Multi-Agency Gold Incident Command Training (MAGIC / UK) and a National Security course delivered by Sandhurst academics of the Dept. of Defense & International Affairs, Faculty of Leadership, Security & Warfare.

See related article:

Gov Rankin orders review into complaints against CoP Mark Collins

35 Responses to “CoP for Cayman Islands reviewing complaints against Mark Collins- Governor Rankin”

  • Agreeable One (17/01/2024, 08:10) Like (23) Dislike (17) Reply
    This does not look good in every way. I am very curious about the relationship between the Cayman CoP, Rankin, and Cop Collins! A common thread between these three is (UK). Anytime there is any semblance of two separate justice systems there will be problems and this looks just like that! Stand strong BVI on what is right and proper!
    • Myron was right: More Governor power more abuse of power (17/01/2024, 08:54) Like (13) Dislike (23) Reply
      Imagine the Governor wants more power to do things like this to protect his own only and also allow him to ignore the democratic process to do the following (Note these are just a few of his alleged intentions cloaked as good governance):
      1) Take over Immigration: He wants to immediately give over 4000 of his kind status so they can out number the people of the BVI and then allow them to have a secondary take over plan.
      2) Pass the new police act on his own: He wants to give the police unlimited powers to do many anti-democratic things such as but not limited to searching anyone's home without a warrant and do so on mere suspicion. Talk about making the BVI a police state where people will have no basic human nor democratic rights.
      3) He wants to pass the Jury Act: Here is where he wants the cases to proceed without any jury to decided the cases but rather have the Judge themselves decide if you are guilty. Not only is this anti democratic but it represents dictatorship as all the UK will do next is flood the position of Judges with persons from the UK who have like minds as them against the locals and Caribbean people. It is another tier of their take over plan.
      4) Powers to pass laws by himself without HOA: Here is where he wants to legalize same sex marriage. Here is where he wants to redefine who is a Virgin Islander.

      I will stop there for now but people of the BVI these people have no good intention for us. They have no respect for our democracy and democratic rights. It is time to wake up and stand up for what is right and represents true democracy and not sit back and allow a wicked agenda by the Brits to get through.
    • Bvi wake up (17/01/2024, 21:00) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
      The man in Cayman the Governor hand picked to do the sham of an investigation on Mark Collins is a close friend of Collins. This is nepotism at it's best by the Governor. It is not transparent. A panel of persons from different ethnic backgrounds with the right qualifications should be doing this investigation. BVI PEOPLE WAKE UP! You are being hoodwinked.
  • Lawyer 1 (17/01/2024, 08:16) Like (17) Dislike (16) Reply
    They have there own people investigating them self I think nothing will come of it politic in the police force each one showing there hands I wis the local luck
    • To Lawyer 1 (17/01/2024, 16:03) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
      What the people need to ask is since the Governor have so much confidence in the Auditor General then why he didn't let her office do the review.
  • Strupess (17/01/2024, 08:32) Like (15) Dislike (5) Reply
    A total setup and waste of time. This is so wrong.
    • @strupess (17/01/2024, 08:57) Like (8) Dislike (13) Reply
      The people of the BVI needs to take the streets in protest against this highhanded action of the Governor. All this is is a cover up in a manner that seems transparent but really is not just like what they did with the handpicked Commissioner of the COI and his processes and report. They have no regard for the people. They have us as possession and not people.
  • Just saying (17/01/2024, 08:34) Like (13) Dislike (6) Reply
    White will not send white to jail over blacks who has allegations
    • Realist (17/01/2024, 09:04) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
      I do not support any one political party but I support democracy and good governance. This is why I do not support thr Governor suspending our constitution whether partially or fully. The BVI have a democratic process to select leaders. Anyone who wants such power that comes with that should go through the same democratic process. If who are selected does not work out then removed them and replace them through the same democratic process. To do anything other is supporting dictatorship and colonialism and will result in more abuse of power and unethical highhamded actions like what the Governor is doing now knowing full well he is not accountable to the people of the BVI.
  • justice (17/01/2024, 08:34) Like (12) Dislike (3) Reply
    The Governor should divorce himself from this matter and allow for a full independent investigation to be done by a body of at least 3 persons of different ethnic backgrounds who are qualified to do so.
  • vg youth (17/01/2024, 08:35) Like (8) Dislike (5) Reply
    This is a sham. The outcome is already determined just like how the COI was setup.
  • Not Right (17/01/2024, 08:37) Like (11) Dislike (6) Reply
    The UK Commissioner of Police Collins must be placed on immediate leave until after the investigation and not a mere review is completed. What is good for the goose must be good for the gander. This is abuse of power.
  • WOW (17/01/2024, 08:40) Like (14) Dislike (8) Reply
    I hope everyone sees what will happen if the Governor gets more power from what he is doing with the power he has now. He will shut down our democracy and rights to fairness. It will be only how he and his UK bosses see it.
  • people wake up (17/01/2024, 08:42) Like (11) Dislike (3) Reply
    This does not represent good governance at all.
  • 2024 (17/01/2024, 08:43) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    will there be justice
  • Clearly (17/01/2024, 08:43) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
    Once you're white you're right and once you're UK you're OK.
  • 2024 (17/01/2024, 08:43) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    will there be justice
  • Senior public officer (17/01/2024, 08:46) Like (11) Dislike (3) Reply
    Every black local and Caribbean public officer accused of allegations of corruption are sent home first or arrested first then investigated. But this white UK public officer who has the full support of the Governor at all times no matter what he does is treated differently. The Governor think we are a set of a$#E$ but he will soon find out differently.
  • The plot & white magic is real (17/01/2024, 08:48) Like (6) Dislike (5) Reply
    The people of the BVI please take heed. Those who have ears and eyes let them see and hear. These colomial official people are like the mafia. They have evil spiritual people hired as consultants in many law enforcement areas and paying them out of tax payers money to guide them and show them who is against their agenda and how to eliminate them while making it look like their hands are clean. This is real but the people are fast a sleep by their design. Look at who all died or they moved out of the way but make it look like their hands are clean with Sam, Carvin, Wade, Fahie, the white UK officer that died, Najan, Myron, just to name a few that they know are a threat to what they trying to achieve. Look out this week for them to do something drastically major to further abuse their powers and instill more fear in the people to warn them not to interfere with their wicked agenda. The BVI people need to pray and unite against this colonial dragon or they will be in bondage crying for years. This is for real just watch this week and see.
  • waste of time (17/01/2024, 08:51) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    All of them working together, not a thing going come outta this (rolling eyes)
  • Only sense (17/01/2024, 08:58) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
    No one person should be doing this investigation and the Governor alone should not be allowed to hamd pick the person.
  • Native Tongue (17/01/2024, 09:22) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    The Devil is in the detail of this investigation and review.
  • pat (17/01/2024, 09:48) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Rankin protecting his friends
  • got to got (17/01/2024, 10:00) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    The governor put a white cop to investigate a next white man. That investigation is going NO WHERE. That's just to make us believe that they are doung something
  • Commissioner is Caymanian (17/01/2024, 11:21) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    Commissioner of Police Kurt Walton is Caymanian. He spent his whole policing career with the Cayman Islands Police Service. He knows how it goes and the issues there can be with imported U.K. officers. He is not white. Give him a chance.
    • So true! (17/01/2024, 12:44) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
      I totally agree. He is a born and bred Csymanian and he is not white. A majority of Caymanians look like him, but they are not white. I know because I have visited there a number of times
      • To So true (17/01/2024, 16:01) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
        Since the UK flooded Cayman years ago it is hard to find any indigenous person from Cayman so don't be fooled. Even if they were born there when you check their parents were from the UK.
  • Rattler (17/01/2024, 11:34) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    The UK cabal strikes again. The game is rigged to the advantage of Britons and sambos and to the disadvantage of persons of African descent. UK-appointed Governor John Rank is a bold face snake in the grass liar. He posits that he is treating Mark Collins the same as he treated other public officers, for you cannot suspend personnel based on allegations. Is the Governor admitting that he suspended Commissioner of Customs Wade Smith based on allegations and is adjudging him guilty before the investigation/trial has been concluded? It seems there are two justice systems in the BVI one for White Britons who are part of the cabal and another for Black Virgin Islanders?? Rankin knows that it is normal administrative practice that if allegations of incompetence, fiscal irresponsibility, etc, are lodged against public officers, they are suspended pending the outcome of any investigation. If Rankin says otherwise, he is conveniently pretending ignorance of the normal practice in favor of a buddy and another cabal member. Liar, liar, liar, pants on fire!! I borrow this line from a fellow blogger in another commentary:The colonialism social racial construct, ie, a purposely developed plan by one group with power over others with lesser power, is alive, and active. I digress to the selection of CI CoP Kurt Walton to CoP an investigation of fellow CoP mark collins.

    It is alleged by many in the BVI that the outcome of the handpicked Sir Gary Hickinbottom’s led CoI was predetermined, especially the suspension of the VI constitution, etc. The CoI was conducted unfairly with much bias. For example, the total focus of the one-man commissioner investigation was laser-focused on functions under the purview of Black locals. However, little or no focus was put on troubled functions under the purview of the Governor, viz, RVIPF, Civil service, HMP, etc. Further, the conclusion of the investigation into the 55 charges lodge against CoP Mark Collins will read, “ no evidence to substantiate charges.” As was the case with the Gary Hickinbottom’s CoI, the outcome of this investigation by fellow CoP Kurt Walton is pre-determined. The cabal strike, strike and strike again!!

    If I were to roll a dice, there is a probability that one of these numbers will be on top, ie,? 1, 2,3,4,5, or 6. Is it a coincidence that only white Britons, members of the cabal are selected to lead investigations. Or that the Governor(s) is very deliberate is not wanting blacks to conduct investigations??
  • Quiet Rebel (17/01/2024, 11:56) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    The Foreign, Commonwealth, Development Office or Minister of Overseas Territories, etc, should initiate a Commission of Enquiry/Inquiry of Governor John Rankin, CMG, performance in office. He is retiring but still should be done.
  • Native Tongue (17/01/2024, 12:33) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Why Wade was sent on leave and charged with Breach of Trust behooves me. Higgingbottom found NO corruotion in Customs on Wade Smith's watch. So what the F is going on here?.WHAT PART OF NO CORRUPTION FOUND means to John Rankin?.
  • Hmmmm (17/01/2024, 14:37) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    Anybody else feeling like we putting rat to mind cheese?
    No?
    Only me?
    Carry on then!
  • Fight a battle that We can not (17/01/2024, 14:44) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    To me makes no sense. Firstly many lately turning from the warning issued by my such book but the bible speak of such actions.

    And truly speaking the individual who are classed as sinners are winning the battle daily.

    The world eventually will be rule by 1 government and the world will have a cashless system

    And the world will all gang up and despite those who believe Christ. All these will have and the drying up of the Euphrates river is the beginning of it all


    So the world will make a serious you turn soon something big and tragic is coming. This will happen on a global scale mark my words.
  • we the people (17/01/2024, 15:34) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Hope john rankin leaves the bvi and never comes back
  • Blue (17/01/2024, 21:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Dis reminds me of Bill Moody Benjamin monk in the uk he as ditty as he look


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