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Governor fully agrees ‘Police in Paradise’ video ‘inappropriate’- Premier Wheatley

- Premier said video is ‘highly damaging to VI’s image as tourist destination
‘Police in Paradise’, the controversial and graphic video created by ITV, a British media company contracted by the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) and leaked to the Virgin Islands public, is highly damaging to the Virgin Islands’ image as a tourist destination, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has stated. Photo: GIS/File
Governor John J. Rankin, CMG has also reportedly condemned the video as ‘inappropriate’. Photo: GIS/File
Governor John J. Rankin, CMG has also reportedly condemned the video as ‘inappropriate’. Photo: GIS/File
The 'Police in Paradise' video has unsettled many in the Virgin Islands, who believe it could be harmful to the territory as a tourist destination, despite the territory being one of the safest destinations in the world. Photo: Team of Reporters
The 'Police in Paradise' video has unsettled many in the Virgin Islands, who believe it could be harmful to the territory as a tourist destination, despite the territory being one of the safest destinations in the world. Photo: Team of Reporters
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- ‘Police in Paradise’, the controversial and graphic video created by ITV, a British media company contracted by the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) and leaked to the Virgin Islands public, is highly damaging to the Virgin Islands’ image as a tourist destination, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has stated.

Governor says video ‘inappropriate’- Premier

Further, Premier Wheatley has said Governor John J. Rankin, CMG has also condemned the video as ‘inappropriate’.

“By now many of you have become aware of a video circulating on social media entitled, "Police in Paradise", produced by the United Kingdom media house ITV, profiling the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force tackling crime in the British Virgin Islands. This is a very unfortunate depiction of the BVI, highly damaging to our image as a tourist destination,” Dr Wheatley stated on June 27, 2022.

Video ‘unsettling’

According to the Premier, the video has unsettled many persons in the local and business community because of its “highly distorted portrayal” of the Virgin Islands, which he said gives the impression that the territory is an unsafe tourist destination infested with drugs and crime.

“This is not true,” Dr Wheatley said,

The Premier said he has spoken with His Excellency the Governor, John J. Rankin, CMG with whom overall responsibility for the Royal Virgin Islands Police falls.

“He fully agreed that the video is inappropriate and stated he would address the matter with Police Commissioner Mark Collins.”

CoP Collins apologises

Mr Collins has since issued a written apology to the Virgin Islands public, claiming that the was intended to be a tool for recruiting officers from the Caribbean and the UK, and aimed at capturing the benefits and challenges of policing in the VI.

Despite the apology, some persons in the Virgin Islands are calling for both Governor Rankin and Mr Collins to be removed from the Virgin Islands.

Meanwhile, Premier Wheatley said that, in his capacity as Tourism Minister, he wanted to assure all of the territory’s current guests “who are right now enjoying the security of our Territory, as well as those persons planning to come to visit our shores to enjoy our white sand beaches, calm sailing waters and friendly people, that the British Virgin Islands is one of the most secure places in the Caribbean and world to vacation and spend your holiday.”

He said the VI looks forward to welcoming persons to one of the most beautiful and safest places on earth.

See link to related article:

Graphic police video casts VI as plagued by crime, drugs; CoP says video ‘incomplete’

38 Responses to “Governor fully agrees ‘Police in Paradise’ video ‘inappropriate’- Premier Wheatley”

  • resident (29/06/2022, 13:44) Like (31) Dislike (5) Reply
    It's not an unsafe tourist destination at all. It's a very safe tourist destination. It is infested with drugs and crime. BVI is the proof that the two don't have to be mutually exclusive.
    • @resident (29/06/2022, 14:01) Like (39) Dislike (5) Reply
      The BVI is NOT infested with drugs but is rather used as a trans-shipment point due to its geographical location. The irony in all of this is that the drugs (cocaine) that usually remains here is used by the same people that continue to call us down at every step and make it seem like the locals are the ones with the drug problem. I don't know that many locals that are on the blow but there are quite a few expat 'professionals' who partake in the 'white cake' quite frequently but do you hear of them getting arrested, ridiculed or blamed for the drugs coming through? Not at all!
    • Infested (29/06/2022, 14:46) Like (19) Dislike (3) Reply
      Really? Like anywhere in the world it has drugs and crime and still not on the high level of most but infested is really a stretch so please stop.
    • virgin (29/06/2022, 15:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      i think you mean to say that the two are mutually exclusive
  • Biggy (29/06/2022, 14:07) Like (19) Dislike (14) Reply
    We want rankin to act accordingly and have this loose cannon resign or fired. By doing this will be truly condemning mark collins actions. He’s truly a disgrace and have no integrity or honor for his office. Rankin this your opportunity to truly govern and up hold the integrity that you so talk about. Period!!
  • wuk (29/06/2022, 14:18) Like (17) Dislike (15) Reply
    Premier, it is not enough to come to the people and tell them rankin condemn the video that his COP released. We need to hear you have ask rankin to ask for collins resignation immediately. It just not enough when our country is under attack by the very people that we have entrusted to protect us that basically rage war on us by attacking our economic pillars. Tourism and financial services. This act can’t be considered no less than a act of war that collins rage on our country. Stand up for the country and it’s people premier.
    • Captain (29/06/2022, 20:43) Like (12) Dislike (4) Reply
      Not the commissioner alone ,his deputy as well. She is a follower with no sense of integrity. She basically started it. I think if Collins have to resign ,she needs to resign as well.She doesn't know better. Come and call herself mrs charlila.FOOLUSHNESS.
  • Tasty (29/06/2022, 14:24) Like (27) Dislike (9) Reply
    The video reported real events - no exaggeration or embellishment. What is damaging to the BVI is that this sort of thing goes on, not that it has been reported.
    • @Tasty (29/06/2022, 20:12) Like (2) Dislike (6) Reply
      Your deceptive 'clueless comment' is what you wish to be damaging to the VI, but your agenda is obvious to all!
  • smh (29/06/2022, 14:32) Like (12) Dislike (16) Reply
    Gov rankin, both you and mark collin need to go. Both have no integrity. The very word that runs so freely out you all mouth as a way to try look down on the good people of the BVI is the same word that truly mean nothing to you governor rankin and commissioner mark collin. Why you think it OK ?
  • sam i am (29/06/2022, 14:51) Like (19) Dislike (24) Reply
    I blame Cindy Rosan for forwarding the video around. She should be arrested and forced ti delete all the sensitive information she have on her phone or have or taken away from her.
    • @Sam I am (29/06/2022, 16:22) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
      I am of th e opinion she with assist of consult..call themselves digging a hole for Commisioner . If she was convinced that the Commish' intent was to release and publish the video as is or at all,why would she over reach and take
      the responsibility and the liability for releasing it? Is she that daft?
    • mad max (29/06/2022, 17:08) Like (15) Dislike (7) Reply
      She needs to say where she got the video from.
    • @Sam I am (29/06/2022, 20:16) Like (9) Dislike (3) Reply
      Your Cindy propaganda blame game is not working.
  • @resident (29/06/2022, 14:58) Like (18) Dislike (2) Reply
    So is every other place in the world. It is just that there are not bad minded people who are using it to call down where they live. A lot of you who talking about it are the ones who are involve because the average person living in the Virgin Islands do not know it exist. One gets what they look for.
  • akon (29/06/2022, 15:01) Like (17) Dislike (5) Reply
    He want to recruit cops from where? Yall need to leave ASAP thanks.
  • I'm so disappointed.. (29/06/2022, 15:19) Like (28) Dislike (0) Reply
    This commissioner and Andrew ain got good sense and good judgement, or they too naive. The commissioner should have gathered his trusted few, those same people he sent the video in a room no phones. .play the video get the feed back. That was the way to go... It's very sad though
  • Much ado about nothing (29/06/2022, 15:37) Like (21) Dislike (1) Reply
    If a certain individual had not put that video on fb Noone would have been wiser. As much as the video portrays some negative aspects it is not that bad.. Jamaica has crime way more than here and they have no problem attracting tourists. USVI same thing. Don't talk about Mexico. This is being blown way out of proportion by people who have an agenda.
  • Mrs Tubman (29/06/2022, 16:29) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    The culprit is the one who released the video to the World.
    • @Mrs. Tubman (29/06/2022, 20:21) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
      Don't blame shift, can't work on this one. The culprit is the one who thought such a thing should be produced.
  • Concerned (29/06/2022, 16:29) Like (18) Dislike (2) Reply
    Tourism really, Jamica has so much crime yet the tourists keep going there. You all need to stop pulling at straws. The way the video was done was probably an issue but everything is true. We have to look at the crime situation and deal with that. Stop blaming other people for our problems. The tourism industry has been dying a slow death, don't worry to blame the tape. You all full of s****. You people like to blow a situation out of proportion. Nobody is looking at who caused this fiasco and let the world know. The video was an illegal leak. C****** loves drama and confusion. You all try with her.
  • WOW (29/06/2022, 16:53) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Thanks Mark to be honest
    The one do not agree probably have something to hide
  • OLE TING (29/06/2022, 17:24) Like (8) Dislike (6) Reply
    This is the way these white colonialist bigots have us potrayed and nothing more.What got into this man 2 do this? Then he is saying he is saddened of which he should b both himself and the rest of force is a national disgrace.He needs 2 b remived from the teritory imidiately thats not a mistake its by design people.Thats a ploy in trying 2 put us right back on the plantation.This is my 2 cents worth and no apology should b accepted for Mark Collins ignorance period.
  • Wake Up People (29/06/2022, 17:31) Like (17) Dislike (5) Reply
    When cops are recruited like this it is natual that they will come to the Virgin Islands already programmed that this is the type of people in the VI, therefore the cops will not be asking any questions before they shoot civilians. Mark Collins is a danger to the lives of the Virgin Islands community and cannot be trusted. This is the intruduction of sytematic racism into the RVPF and should be stopped right now. That is what is going on in the USA and UK. Once it start it is not easy to stop. Wake up people stop letting people give you a 6 and tell you it is a 9.
  • cap (29/06/2022, 17:33) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    You all joked that they would make a TV series called “Narcos BVI” after the premier was arrested. Well, here you go, it’s happening. We have no one to blame except for the corrupt elected officials who put us in this position, and the civilians who they conspire with to carry out crime. ITV did not portray us badly, we did that ourselves.
  • Native Senior Citizen of the British Virgin Islands (29/06/2022, 17:39) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    It is not easy to accept the truth. No Governor of any country we be happy to know that the crimes the country that he is Governor of is exposed to the world.
    But we are living in the time when criminal practices cannot be cover up. The current BVI Governor, John Rackin, the current Premier, Dr. Natalio Sajande Wheatley and his cabinet, the people that this country': natiives, belongers, residents, and many of our visitors, and people in other countries that tune in to news of the BVI already know that tha BVI is a crime infested oversea torritory of the UK. The BVI is not "Nature little Secret" I is infacts nature big exposure.
    We may try to cover the view of a rotten egg, but the foul smell of it travels far.
    Hon. Governor John J. Rankin, Hon. Premier Dr. Natalio Sajande Wheatley, and other concerned persons, I included, what we see as inappropriate does no alter the fact that the British Virgin Islands has been, and presently is a crime infested country.
    Let us all try to bind together in genuine love to quickly reversed the curse of ongoing criminal activities. The denial of this truth is hypocrisy in motion.
    All who hate hear and read truth love to hear and read lies. Truth is truth. Truth exposes lies, sooner or later., like like exposed darkness.
    I am not trying to deceive people. Oh no, but rather my desire is for our people best quality of life will improve for the good of all our country's people, and visitors too, as quickly as possible.
    (Like or dislike)
  • YEAH RITE (29/06/2022, 17:42) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    THE VIDEO SHOWED EXACTLY WHAT AND HOW THE HOLY ANGELS KILL OTHER HUMAN IN BROAD DAYLIGHT WITH HIGH POWERERED RIFLES , YOU PIRANHAS STILL POINTING ???? AT OUTSIDERS ALL THOSE BIG HOUSES ON THE HILLS THAT WERE BUILT OVERNIGHT OUT OF DRUG MONEY ???? WHICH WITH Y BLOOD MONEY = EITHER THE PEOPLE OR THEIR FAMILY WILL BE GETTING THE SIDE EFFECTS ???? SOONER OR LATER
    • Citizen (29/06/2022, 19:27) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
      Lol. Go back to your 10x10 wooden FLAT that your accustomed to in the UK. The majority of Virgin Islanders are accustomed to working hard for what we want. You settle for your FLAT and hate you Karen louse.
  • J (29/06/2022, 18:09) Like (7) Dislike (7) Reply
    Why is the premier speaking on behalf of the governor? Why hasn’t the governor made a statement? Both the governor and the chief of police need to go. I find the governor’s lack of a response to be disrespectful.
    • @J (29/06/2022, 20:07) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
      The governor does not have time for foolishness or foolish people. We will self destruct if we don't be careful and will have no one to blame but the honourable minister of confusion and drama AKA C*********
  • rolling eyes (29/06/2022, 18:13) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    He can’t speak for himself?
  • Sambo (29/06/2022, 19:31) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
    Is the Hon Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley (R-7) the lackey, the lap dog, the mouth piece, for His Excellency Governor John Rankin, CMG? Governor Rankin is Governor of the BVI and is supposed to genuinely representing the people of BVI. But the title of the Governor of the BVI is a mirage, for in actuality, he is representing the crown/UK. The Governor may think(through the mouth piece) the video is inappropriate but is he going to issue a public apology to the people of the BVI? Or it is beneath White UK personnel to apologize for wrong inflicted on BVI people, the majority of whom are Black. This appears like a planned operations. Hire ITV to produce a video, have it leaked and then fake surprise. One cannot throw oneself a surprise party. These people think BVI people are nincompoops, mumus.

    However, they are given license by the knee benders, ring kissers, bootlickers, cowardly traitors, self-hating, internal enemies, etc locals to behave and threat Virgin Islanders the way they do. The BVI is in a horrific place. The UK has unilateral power and control of the BVI, demonstrating racial superiority which is embraced by Sambos, especially the elites mostly of the Boomer generation. These Sambos only want BVI unity to fight oppressors when their houses is on fire (not literally). Sickening.









  • Right Sed Fred (30/06/2022, 08:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Collins is not telling the tuth. The video wasn't created for recruitment purposes. ITV (A british media network) was shooting a pilot for a TV series. For that reason Collins should go. Really, the police here are so inept and the commissioner working on his ego instead of solving crimes and getting scooter man off the road.
  • wake up (30/06/2022, 09:13) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply

    The video is good for new recruits to know what to expect. And that was the purpose for which it was made. This is not made up sh**. If you all feel so strongly about reality, don't blast the police or filmmakers, blast yourselves, your leaders, your inactive churches!!! Your teachers, absent fathers, and the list goes on

  • Mango Man (30/06/2022, 09:47) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Natalio!!!! Let the man speak for himself and stop being a puppet. Don't tell me you are his new press secretary??? Tell me about your position only. Let those oppressors fend for themselves because they have NO good intentions for the Virgin Islands.
  • Madea (30/06/2022, 12:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hahahaha! So this man thinks the video is hurting the BVI's image to tourists? Apart from the former Premier and Ports Authority boss being charged for drug offences, the drug smuggling, the murders - too many for a small island where guns are not allowed in the last 5 years - the BVI is a disgrace. I wonder what the tourists think when they see the damage from Hurricane Irma from 5 years ago? Sea Cows Bay should be renamed Shipwreck Bay. Then there are the scrap and abandoned cars and trucks all over the island on full view to the tourists, hurricane damaged buildings - including the Government's own Admin building - rubbish all over the place, the wall on the coast road to West End has not been totally fixed yet after 5 years, East End is East End, and that's not to mention the potholes and the smell of sewage on Main Street or the stagnant water. That's without the high prices the shops, the restaurants and the hotels! Anytime a tourist sees all these things they go back and tell other people. And he thinks its the video that will bother tourists!
  • noisey (30/06/2022, 16:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Everyone who takes part in this video should be interviewed by an independent body. Especially,this powerful so call deputy.


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