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Domestic Violence is 'unacceptable & we take it most seriously’- CoP Michael Matthews

-addressing allegations made by Ms Lucinda Gordon who said the police did nothing to help her
Michael Matthews, Commissioner of Police stated that the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force has operated a strong policy on the issue of domestic violence. Photo: VINO
Ms Lucinda Gordon expressed that she sought help from the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) several times before the attack, but to no avail. Photo: Provided
Ms Lucinda Gordon expressed that she sought help from the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) several times before the attack, but to no avail. Photo: Provided
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Less than a year after Ms Lucinda Gordon was chopped severely by her estranged boyfriend, Renold L. Peters, she shared her story during the ‘Stiletto Walk- walk a mile in her shoes’ on June 28, 2017. The event designed to raise awareness of domestic violence in the Territory was held at Captain Mulligan's Bar and Restaurant.

Ms Gordon expressed during the event that she sought help from the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) several times before the attack, but to no avail.

She related during the event that the female police offers attached to the East End Police Station cannot look her in her face. She said, "They didn't see me as someone who needed help. They dropped the ball on me..... They looked away when they saw me coming."

The judicial system also did not come through in time for her while legal documents were being processed in the courts of law, to be served on her abuser. He moved ahead of the system in an attempt to kill her because she was no longer going to put up with his alleged abusive acts.

RVIPF has strong policy on Domestic Violence

In an invited comment, Commissioner of Police (CoP), Michael Matthews stated that the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force has operated a strong policy on the issue of domestic violence:

“The RVIPF have for some time operated a robust policy towards the issue of domestic violence. We will always seek to arrest whether the victim supports such action or not. It is a crime. It is unacceptable and we take it most seriously.”

The CoP expressed his sympathy towards the tragic event that took place with Ms Lucinda Gordon.

“This particular case was extremely tragic and my sympathies are with Ms Gordon. We endeavour to learn from any incident we deal with and whilst we can never guarantee preventing such dreadful situations, we remain focused on keeping our communities as safe as possible," Mr Matthews told this news site.

17 Responses to “Domestic Violence is 'unacceptable & we take it most seriously’- CoP Michael Matthews”

  • let's hope (07/07/2017, 17:59) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    All the ducks behind you think the same.
    • SHAME (27/10/2017, 18:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      We need to remove some people from positions they not worthy and hold the police department accountable for not protecting its citizens...whether black or white....my prayers remain with Ms Gordon
      • Binocs (27/10/2017, 23:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        From my personal experience. most black women on the island. in positions. especially the police department refuse to support each other....mental slavery....they simply don't care...just collecting a pay check
  • Fight crime please (07/07/2017, 18:04) Like (2) Dislike (5) Reply
    Why he fighting with the public
  • Info (07/07/2017, 18:09) Like (8) Dislike (8) Reply
    really, so how seriously did you take the domestic violence that was dished out by your superintendent and your Dominican staff officer, what happen, the domestic violence policy or laws don't pertain to them, hypocrites.
    • Jaigon Jumbie (07/07/2017, 20:29) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ Info, oh no you have to be fair to Mr. Matthews, referring to him as a hypocrite is unfair because he was not the COP when those alleged incidents took place, maybe he don't even know about them.
  • vex (07/07/2017, 19:05) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
    Mr mathews fas running out his usefulness in the bvi
  • Just Checking (07/07/2017, 19:44) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    the majority of the domestic violence can be found in the force among the high and mighty. Talk about wickedness in high places
  • Love (08/07/2017, 07:12) Like (10) Dislike (4) Reply

    Mr. Matthews is trying his best but i do believe that Mr. A........ J.......s and other officers are smiling with Mr. Matthews in his face but also underminding his work. I can truly say this because I have dealth with Mr. Matthews when everyone else oushed me aside and it was clear to me that they the other officers never brough him up to speed to whats going on and as long as I have breath in me am not goung to let them drop the ball on me. Mr. Matthews is a man you can approch anytime of day or night he cares can i say that his other officers do no but i trust that he will do right by the public once his officers stop underminding him because the felt they should have his position.

    • Big PooPoo (08/07/2017, 12:42) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply

      Love, you are so right, i still cant understand how the governor didn't send home Aunt Jumble, this man has no shame, after a governor said that the police force is not a priority until a new commissioner arrives, is an insult and a slap in the face, i still don't see the reason for him sticking around, injustice to the RVIPF.

  • Talk the Truth (08/07/2017, 13:05) Like (4) Dislike (5) Reply
    Mathews is not going to fix this crime thing. Just the opposite. He has surrounded himself with retired UK officers who is just here on vacation
    • wize up (09/07/2017, 07:11) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
      @ talk the truth: you forgot an important point: all of them will simply book a flight leaving the people of this territory knee deep in criminal behaviour: the governor and commissioner is directly responsible for matters associated with crime not one word from them on those unsolved: both of them white so we can't offend like we do the members of parliament
    • trrefdrfds (16/10/2017, 23:53) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      All domestic violence is truly primitive, ridiculous, and shameful. But let's go a little deeper than that. Let's specifically talk about the Caribbean. During slavery, the slave owners (white men) regularly abused and raped black women. This was always troubling to black men. Today (modern times) The black men in the carribean committing extremely agregious domestic violence against our beautiful black women have replaced the slave owner. Question to the black men who abuse women: When are you f..king black men going to grow up and become leaders of your community, and stop abusing our women. you are suppose to nurture, protect, and cherish them. Grow up, get an education, and get modernize. Stop acting like a bunch of backward cavemen. Those of you guilty of domestic violence need to find a very high cliff and jump off head first. why? Because you are just a wimp, a punk, a sissy, a retard trying to impersonate a real man.


  • police officer west end (08/07/2017, 23:25) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Conscience a bite MM!!
  • LCS (08/07/2017, 23:39) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    I'm cautiously optimistic because of our history. We have never seen any success in any of the crime strategy implemented over the year plus by Michael Matthews
  • Binocs (28/10/2017, 07:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The. RVIPF have strong policies on domestic violence but don't enforce it for BVI women...especially women of color
  • Carob Women (29/10/2017, 13:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Most Caribbean women show each other love and support mostly during carnival time only ..its a culture thing


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