Hon Penn supports ‘independent review’ of RVIPF ‘from the head come down’
![A ‘concerned citizen’ of the [British] Virgin Islands has written to Governor John J. Rankin, CMG requesting an investigation into Police Commissioner Mark Collins (in photo), in relation to a leaked email in which Mr Collins requested a Deputy Commissioner of Police to conceal and destroy evidence. Photo: Facebook/File](https://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/cache/images/800x_8_800x_8_800x_c_CoP_leaked_letter.jpg)
Hon Penn’s comments come on the heels of a ‘concerned citizen’ of the [British] Virgin Islands writing to Governor John J. Rankin, CMG requesting an investigation into CoP Collins, in relation to a leaked email in which Mr Collins requested a Deputy Commissioner of Police to conceal and destroy evidence.
CoP Collins should ‘step aside’- Damion C. Grange
Additionally, co-host of the Talking Points radio show Damion C. Grange believes Mr Collins should step aside as Police Commissioner to allow for an independent investigation into various allegations about the RVIPF.
Speaking on Talking Points on ZBVI 780 AM on November 13, 2023, Mr Grange said he saw in the news recently that the Police Commissioner expressed there is a smear campaign against him.
“I have said that I think the Police Commissioner should step aside, based on the video and the leaked email. It just didn’t look right. I wasn’t accusing him of anything. I always try to be objective and I was just thinking, based on the optics of it, and to not continue to the continued credibility erosion of the police force, I would step out of the way in that interest,” Mr Grange stated.
The co-host then asked his guest Hon Penn his thoughts on the call for the CoP to step aside.
‘I would want to see an independent review’ of RVIPF- Hon Penn
“I believe if there is cause for concern and the public has expressed concern, I think that is why some of us would call an internal review, these things need to be looked into. I think there needs to be an independent review of any concern that is being expressed by the public, persons within the force, et cetera, they need to have the recourse to be able to have that discussion,” Hon Penn related.
The Opposition Leader said an independent review is especially needed when there is already a perception that some persons in the force are above the law, “and we can’t have that level of perception, particularly on the heels of all these different issues of corruption and suggestions of corruption amongst the police force.
“You should be as transparent as possible to allow for a review process to happen. If there are suggestions that you are thwarting the course of justice by destroying evidence and you said it is not what people have been saying, then let’s just have somebody independent look at it.”
Hon Penn continued that having an independent process will make sure that there is that absolute transparency in the entire police force in the process of policing
“In the absence of that, it would be me speculating, but I would want to see an independent review of the entire[ force], from the head come down. Nobody is exempted.” Hon Penn stated.
Some damning allegations against CoP & RVIPF
It was in June 2022, when Mr Collins came under fire from the public after he released what many described as a racist and disturbing video of the Territory where it was depicted as a crime-infested jurisdiction and a narco-state. He claimed the video was a recruiting tool; however, he faced no sanctions as his pal Governor Rankin told the media he pardoned him and accepted his apology.
Earlier in January 2022, social media erupted with questions about accountability in the RVIPF and even the Governor’s Office, following the publication of videos showing what was believed to be UK nationals who had been recruited to the RVIPF visiting at least two bars in the [British] Virgin Islands using taxpayers-funded police vessels on Sunday, January 23, 2022.
Commissioner Collins had said it was a legitimate operation of familiarising colleagues new to the Virgin Islands.
Some on social media have labelled the incident as a blatant misuse of a police boat for unofficial activity.
The RVIPF under CoP Collins was also accused in April 2022 of human smuggling and “covering it up”.
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45 Responses to “Hon Penn supports ‘independent review’ of RVIPF ‘from the head come down’”
Even when they are trying to have objective and frank exchange of ideas, they get attacked personally and derided and tagged by UK police officers and the governor
You must be the head of the corruption Mr Penn
truth be told there is absolutely nothing we can do against the UK commissioner Of Police or the Governor or any United Kingdom Representative in this British Overseas Territory
Do you realise when the talk shows end nothing changes
2024 is the YEAR OF EXPOSURE. THE YEAR OF THE LIGHT. Lots will be revealed that will baffle and perplex man understanding.
You heard it first here at VINO. The other news site with UK affiliates is suspected.
The former govt and commiss first proclaimed that they knew nothing of what frame up was in play for the Drew, but that case will be a doozy.
Lots of evil is taking place in high places.
Institutional D.A.R.V.O. at place. Look it up.
Read all about it- https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/sep/24/cannabis-brain-effects-study-struggles-attract-black-uk-users
Question: the prison officer that got shot in your district did you make time to visit her?