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New CoP arrives but Matthews still on island! Two CoPs in VI

-Michael B. Matthews last day on job is April 19, 2021
Information reaching our newsroom from credible sources close to the situation is that Mr Mark Collins, left, the man to replace outgoing Commissioner of Police Mr Michael B. Matthews, right, is already on island. Photo: VINO/Internet Source
Mr Michael B. Matthews, a good buddy of the ex-governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert, will have his last day on the job on April 19, 2021, according to sources. Photo: VINO/File
Mr Michael B. Matthews, a good buddy of the ex-governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert, will have his last day on the job on April 19, 2021, according to sources. Photo: VINO/File
 Mr Reynell E. Frazer, left, and Mr Vernon E. Malone, right, are the only two locals to serve as Commissioner of Police since the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) was formed in 1967. Photo: VINO/Penn Law/File
Mr Reynell E. Frazer, left, and Mr Vernon E. Malone, right, are the only two locals to serve as Commissioner of Police since the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) was formed in 1967. Photo: VINO/Penn Law/File
The one popular local and female officer that persons felt could have filled the position of Police Commissioner of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF), Jacqueline E. Vanterpool, did not apply for the job, according to our sources. Photo: VINO/File
The one popular local and female officer that persons felt could have filled the position of Police Commissioner of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF), Jacqueline E. Vanterpool, did not apply for the job, according to our sources. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Information reaching our newsroom from credible sources close to the situation is that the man to replace outgoing Commissioner of Police Mr Michael B. Matthews is already on island.

It is unclear when exactly Mr Mark Collins, a UK national, arrived in the territory.

This has raised questions in some quarters, as it patterns that of the arrival of Governor John J. Rankin, CMG, who arrived in the territory even when the outgoing Governor at the time, Augustus J. U. Jaspert, was still on island.

Traditionally, in all the Overseas Territories, governors leave sometimes up to a month before their successor takes over.

This has also been the case with police commissioners.

Before Mr Jaspert departed the island in January 2021; however, he called a suspicious Commission of Inquiry into governance, after allegedly being at constant loggerheads with the Andrew A. Fahie-led Administration, who he was accused of trying to bully.

Mr Matthews, a good buddy of the ex-governor Jaspert, will have his last day on the job on April 19, 2021, according to sources.

The UK national, who previously served as Chief Constable of the Cyprus Sovereign Base Area (SBA) Police Force, was appointed Police Commissioner in the Virgin Islands in April 2016 for three years and received an extension of two years on his contract in April 2019.

The CoP; however, has recently been under immense pressure with a rise in violent crimes involving guns, including high-powered weapons, in the territory. This is a manifestation never seen before in the Virgin Islands.

Mr Matthews has blamed the community for not giving the police information; however, many have said while they want to see crimes deescalate and perpetrators brought to justice they are distrustful of the police.

In the beginning!

When the UK CoP had first arrived in the territory, he quickly developed a reputation of being of friendly demeanour and approachable and one who paid attention to public relations via the media.

He; however, came under criticism last year when his ranks were accused of using excessive force during arrests, including tasing of persons in non-threatening situations.

Mr Matthews was quick to defend his ranks, despite the wave of public condemnation against the actions of the police.

CoP Matthews was also under fire for the RVIPF’s inability to address the vexing issue of motor scooter riders brazenly disregarding traffic rules and being a nuisance to the motoring public and the community at large.

Additionally, there were reports of low morale among officers and lack of camaraderie. The latter came out in full display on April 22, 2020, when two of his officers were engaged in a verbal spat, which almost turned physical over what was allegedly bad parking by the entrance of the One Mart Supermarket in Purcell Estate.

The incident was captured on video and shared on social media.

Mr Matthews’ own officers have also accused him of bypassing them for top posts in favour of UK nationals.

Mr Matthews had replaced another UK national as CoP, Mr David Morris, whose appointment had caused controversy since there were on-going formal complaints against him, including allegations of unfair dismissals and abuse of authority.

UK holding on to CoP post?

Meanwhile, the appointment of Mr Collins came amidst community outcry that the Commissioner's post should be held by a local.

There have been only two local Commissioners of Police since the RVIPF was formed in 1967.

The Virgin Islands last had a local Police Commissioner in Mr Reynell Frazer, who retired in 2012.

The first local Police Commissioner was former Legislator and Attorney Mr Vernon E. Malone.

The tenures by both local Police Commissioners were regarded as successful, proving that locals can effectively serve in such an important post.

Political observers have also said it appears there is a strong effort by the United Kingdom to keep the position of CoP occupied by a white male.

It should be noted; however, that the one popular local and female officer that persons felt could have filled the position left vacant by Mr Matthews, Jacqueline E. Vanterpool, did not apply for the job, according to our sources.

Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), who has advocated for locals to fill top posts in the territory, had confirmed that no locals were prepared for the job.

“The future belongs to the prepared and this is why we have to continue to ensure that we prepare our people for all these jobs,” Hon Fahie had said on the Tuesday, January 12, 2021 edition of the Honesty Speaking show.

35 Responses to “New CoP arrives but Matthews still on island! Two CoPs in VI”

  • Petty (26/03/2021, 20:26) Like (60) Dislike (5) Reply
    big deal
    is there a regulation that says the former and the current UK Chap can not be in this territory at the same time. mike have is big house here so mike will stay here and work on the tan. as a developing people we focus on to much simple things because we can say what we want there is not one thing we can do about it, so why waste valuable time sweating the small stuff
  • facts (26/03/2021, 20:40) Like (9) Dislike (32) Reply
    These white boys up to something
  • Well Well (26/03/2021, 20:58) Like (8) Dislike (30) Reply
    It doesnt really make a difference of who go and who come. All have the same agenda, they care less about we the local ppl. Their interest is Financial Services, Drug Busts Money and all this is too good for blk ppl 2 live happy. Their pressure on VI bring violent crimes to our shores. See who is paying the price.
    • Handing Over (27/03/2021, 06:28) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
      This Job is not a Dolly house Job where one come and the other leaves..This is a real and very responsible Job. Handing over will require time,,, especially all the recent murders and unsolved crime and murders,,,
    • Not Well (27/03/2021, 10:03) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
      I know you’re trolling but that is funny!
      Financial crimes, drug gangsters running around shooting in the open and no one witnessing their murders, and you blame them? Because they don’t want black people to 2 live happy? WTF is wrong with you? Thank you for making us real BVIslanders look so stupid, so bad. Change your name to Not Well.
  • Done Deal (26/03/2021, 22:39) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    WELCOME,I ONLY HOPE THIS NEW CHIEF OF POLICE HIT THE GROUND RUNNING AND MAKE SURE HE CLEAN EVERY CORNER IN THE POLICE FORCE MAY THE GRACE OF GOD BE WITH YOU.


  • The watchdog (26/03/2021, 22:44) Like (4) Dislike (8) Reply
    A set of racist white men calling the shots in 2021
    • V0TER #6 (27/03/2021, 10:59) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
      GO AND APLLY FOR THE JOB IF YOU THINK YOU CAN HANDLE IT. BECAUSE YOU BORN HERE.
  • Give it local (26/03/2021, 23:08) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Then let’s see the fish bay murder happen daily as the drug lords take over run by the corrupt. Turn Tortola into a worse st Thomas. We got this.
  • well well well (27/03/2021, 04:55) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    Mucky Mick Minted Money here! All tax free for 5 years! Now he’ll continue to live it up in the sun in his big mansion.

    Interesting he doesn’t want to work in UK, Cyprus then here.... clearly NOT that patriotic to the British.

  • T (27/03/2021, 05:21) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    U all do d math u will understand it better no worries
  • D (27/03/2021, 05:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    D old saying two head is better than one
  • Me (27/03/2021, 05:48) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Keep talking Matthew will be among us for a very long.......time
  • Tsk tsk tsk (27/03/2021, 06:37) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    I have been saying this long time now like he has plans like Trump lol
  • Rasta Lives (27/03/2021, 07:04) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    who to blame.
    A. came out plantation slavery
    B. came out of bird sanctuary
    C. came out of grant in aid
    D. went from two local commissioners
    F. went from local head of prison

    it was once said
    black man will not know themselves until they back again the wall

    Some spend time pulling down each other,
    A. Listen to the live political coverage
    B. Caribbean Sisters & Brothers speak poorly about each other
    C. We gunning down one another

    and the beat will go on
  • Hmm (27/03/2021, 07:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Look at three pics
  • Shaft (27/03/2021, 07:16) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    AM STILL TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT THAT HAS TO DO WITH ANYTHING / THE MIND IS TERRIBLE THING TO WASTE
  • musa (27/03/2021, 07:24) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    The 1 that will leave soon we know what we had ,the 1 that we will have soon we don't know what we have.
  • @facts (27/03/2021, 07:35) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    YOU GOT THAT RIGHT / ITS TIME TO START REPENTING / POINTING FINGERS AND USING RACISM IS BECOMING
    YOU AND JOKERS LIKE YOU CHORUS NOW BUT YOU ALL CLANDESTINE CORRUPTION ACTIVITIES IS BEING BROUGHT TO LIGHT / KEEP SINGING
  • Funny (27/03/2021, 09:30) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    in case you are unaware there is a 14 day quarantine for UK workpermit holders arrriving into the territory. They new COP cannot do anything for 14 days. Then in a top job like that , you know in charge of the safety of the country and with all the killings and drugs a handover period is a great idea. Sorry you are so bigoted that you do not see this benefits the territory.
  • foxy (27/03/2021, 12:04) Like (3) Dislike (6) Reply
    These white boys think we are fools
  • WEW (27/03/2021, 13:07) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    That's right and I hope the military is on there way
  • well saw (27/03/2021, 15:20) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    A man can choose to live where he wants or stay as long as he wants once he is not in the country illegal.
    Mr. Matthews you are welcome to stay and live in the bvi as long as you want.
  • Glee (27/03/2021, 15:29) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Y’all As A People Does Focus On Things That Really Make No Sense. Micheal Gah A House Here, So What? What If He Decides To Retire In The B.V.I?At The End Of The Day, Once April 19th Reach And He Is No Longer CoP, I Don’t See The Problem.
  • Shaft (28/03/2021, 08:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    @ ( foxy ) and by acting and spewing out all this hatred / and RACISM a new word that some of us just recently discovered
    ( like Columbus ) is that going to show the rest of the world how wise we are / looks like you are having a vacation ON FANTASY island for a long time
  • @Petty (28/03/2021, 08:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    now if that's how your mind is / you in trouble and I hope it doesn't run in your family / ( petty got it right / and as shaft commented / there are a few other words that you missed like (corruption - and coi ) they are the new kids on the block just wait to be discovered also / oh dont forget reality


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