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Lack of confidentiality by police a hindrance to crime solving- caller

- Also wants Gov't to review child discipline policy!
A caller to NDP Radio last night, April 19, 2021, said the alleged lack of confidentiality by officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) is a hindrance to crime-solving. Photo: VINO/File
Leader of the Opposition Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) has agreed that the lack of confidentiality in the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) is a concern. Photo: Facebook/File
Leader of the Opposition Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) has agreed that the lack of confidentiality in the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) is a concern. Photo: Facebook/File
The Virgin Islands has been rocked by violent crimes of recent, including daylight fatal shootings and armed robberies. Photo: Team of Reporters/File
The Virgin Islands has been rocked by violent crimes of recent, including daylight fatal shootings and armed robberies. Photo: Team of Reporters/File
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI- A male caller to NDP Radio aired on ZBVI 780 AM last night, April 19, 2021, wants the government to review its policy on child discipline because he believes the lack of discipline is contributing to the rising crime in the territory.

The Virgin Islands has been rocked by violent crimes of recent, including daylight fatal shootings and armed robberies. It was only yesterday, April 19, 2021, that a woman died from injuries sustained during a robbery at Paraquita Bay the night before.

This latest incident has sparked outrage among law-abiding citizens and many have been sharing their views on social media.

“When they start to do thing now, who you going to blame? Government need to look into this thing...,” the male caller said.

Police accused of leaking information

In the same breath, the caller also opined that the lack of confidentiality by officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) is a hindrance to crime-solving.

“A next thing is the police station; suppose a crime somewhere and you calling to tell them what’s going on. They going to question you to find out what’s your phone number is and who the person. That’s wrong, from the time somebody call, all you have to do is move the same time,” he reasoned.

The caller said when your personal details are taken and relayed, the life of the individual who tipped police is on the line.

“It’s not an easy thing when you see something, and you go try to hook them up, and they leak it out, your life is in danger. That’s why a lot of things a go on here, and people see and don’t call and say nothing, and they need to stop that.”

Former Commissioner of Police Michael B. Matthews often blamed the community for not coming forward with information that could assist police with their investigations.

'You are correct caller'- Hon Penn

Leader of the Opposition Hon. Marlon A. Penn (R8) commented that someone shared similar sentiments with him on the same topic of a lack of confidentiality in the police force.

“You are correct, caller, because I just got a message on my phone saying they are concerned because they don’t know who to report a crime to, they are concerned about the confidentiality, and that is something that we need to fix.

“As a territory, we have an incoming Commissioner of Police, and hopefully, we can address those issues. I know there used to be a hotline that persons can call confidentially and give their reports on crime in the territory, but there is this perception that persons are afraid to call in and afraid for their own safety. One of the worst things you could have is a populous who is afraid to report a crime,” he added.

New COP takes over

Mr Mark Collins QPM formally took up the post of Commissioner of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) on April 19, 2021, following a brief swearing-in ceremony at Government House, a press release said.

The Commissioner brings to the post more than 30 years of law enforcement experience including leadership posts such as Detective Superintendent in charge of the Wales Extremism and Counter-Terrorism Unit; Borough Commander (Chief Superintendent) for Waltham Forest with the London Metropolitan Police Service; and Chief Constable of the Dyfed-Powys Police, it added.

16 Responses to “Lack of confidentiality by police a hindrance to crime solving- caller”

  • Here's what you do (20/04/2021, 09:26) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    Setup a tip line that is answered outside the territory by an outside agency. The tip is then delivered in anonymous form to the local authorities. Any unmasking of the anonymous tip can then be tracked and controlled tightly. Problem solved.
    • Crimestoppers (20/04/2021, 09:39) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      Its called Crimestoppers. 800-8477 (800 TIPS). All calls are anonymous, confidential and untraceable. All calls are answered in an overseas call centre.
      • @crimestoppers (20/04/2021, 11:21) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        Try calling, I did once, didn't work, nobody pick up ....
      • @crinestoppers (20/04/2021, 17:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Call the number. First the number is incomplete. Secondly it is not answered.
    • @ Here 's what to do (20/04/2021, 10:06) Like (5) Dislike (27) Reply
      Ahh no! Your suggestion is too rational and elementary. It would result in effectiveness.
  • witness (20/04/2021, 09:37) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    agree completely with the comment on the lack of police confidentiality. soon as somebody report a crime that commissioner go and announce to the media "we have a credible witness to xyz case". you can't put someone's life in danger when they are trying to do the right thing. witness protection and confidentiality needs to be of top priority and then you'll see how many people start coming forward. i dare say there isn't a single crime that happens in the BVI that somebody doesn't know who committed it.
  • Of Course (20/04/2021, 09:37) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Blame Blame Blame is the game and so we lose and keep on losing.
    We thrive on coveniently being " victims" of everything and every body else's actions.
    We are our own worse enemies.
  • @Here's what to do. (20/04/2021, 10:12) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Every phone call is tracable and as you have stated confidentiality is not gauranteed in today's society. The truth lies in human nature, it must chnage.
  • one eye (20/04/2021, 11:22) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Too much snitching
  • Hmm (20/04/2021, 12:05) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Them just sitting back in ac up and down driving with the glasses up and ain’t solving nttn
  • at least (20/04/2021, 12:36) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    He is willing to acknowledge there’s room for more work in the area. If there was more incentive for ppl to come forward maybe they will. I would def support a gofund for the reward or capture of that innocent lady. Let’s be real as talky as the town is, No way ppl that like all the melee in the world don’t know stuff. Confidentiality and a few dollars will solve 75% of your open cases guaranteed.
  • unbeliever (20/04/2021, 12:38) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Crimestoppers 800 8477 is not an assigned number. We have no anonymous way to give police information on this island.
    Before you could use a pay phone.
  • Hope (20/04/2021, 12:49) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Were is the Commissioner of Police, murder, armed robbery, burglaries and road death. He should be all over the press asking for help and what he is going to do about these trouble times. Don't be like the last one.
    • To unbeliever (20/04/2021, 14:03) Like (1) Dislike (19) Reply
      Keep your expectation very low and don't hold your breath, as you will suffocate. The position of COP and Governer is "a maintain the colonial status qou" not solve local Black peole problems.

      let white, and especially white english people begin experiencing armed burlaries, armed robbery, shootings and deaths, you will see how quickly law enforcement changes froma docile puppy relative to solving Black murder to a roaring pitbull in solving a white murder. Those are just the harsh reaities and truths of living in a white dominated and ruled world at the moment. It will all change in a couple thousand years though.
  • @ its U (20/04/2021, 15:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    YES ITS YOU BVI LANDERS WHO ARE WORKING AS POLICE OFFICERS WHO IS INFORMING THE PERPETRATORS / ITS THE UK ITS JASPERT OR THE ISLAND POLICE THEM SO LOOK WITHING THYSELF ( OR THE MIRROR ) WE NEED TO STOP ENCOURAGING WRONG DOINGS AND EXPECT IT WILL HO AWAY ( KARMA ) IS HERE
  • same thing (24/04/2021, 02:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    SOME ONE BROKE IN MY HOME ONCE AND WHEN I CALLED THE POLICE THEY CAME YES.SIS THEIR INVESTIGATION THEY ASKED IF I SUSPECT ANYONE AND I TOLD THEM YES
    BUT BECAUSE THISE YOUNG BOYS HAVE BIG LAST NAMES THEY TRIED TO PUT IT ON A FAMILY FRIEND THAT NORMALLY COMES BY TO LOOK FOR US. AN OLD MAN AT THAT IF THE MAN WASN'T OUT WITH US THE DAY HE WOULD HAVE GONE STRAIGHT PRISON FOR SOMETHING HE DIDN'T DO. WHEN I THOUGHT THE POLICE DOING THEIR WORK ONE TOOK MY NUMBER FROM THE BOOKS AND ALREADY ASKING ME TO GO OUT FOR A DRINK AT 11PM. I ASK HIM IF I LOOK LIKE AN OWL


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