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No 'Breach of Trust’ committed by Police Commissioner– Gov Rankin

- Refuses to answer question as to whether Najan Christopher was given the same treatment as UK national Mark Collins
Governor of the Virgin Islands Mr John J. Rankin, CMG has shut down questions on whether Public Officer Najan Christopher may have been unfairly treated as it relates to the law, in comparison to Commissioner of Police Mark Collins and the leak of the now infamous ‘Police in Paradise Video’. Photo: Facebook
Some in the community have already pointed out the 'hypocrisy' in the system, since they are of the opinion Mr Mark Collins, right, was treated differently to Ms Najan Christopher, left, because he is a UK national like Governor John J. Rankin. Some have cried racism. Photo: GIS/File
Some in the community have already pointed out the 'hypocrisy' in the system, since they are of the opinion Mr Mark Collins, right, was treated differently to Ms Najan Christopher, left, because he is a UK national like Governor John J. Rankin. Some have cried racism. Photo: GIS/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Governor of the Virgin Islands Mr John J. Rankin, CMG has shut down questions on whether Public Officer Najan Christopher may have been unfairly treated as it relates to the law, in comparison to Commissioner of Police Mark Collins and the production and leaking of the now infamous ‘Police in Paradise Video’.

Ms Christopher was on October 11, 2022, charged by police for Breach of Trust and False Assumption of Authority over a letter written and signed by her stating that Ex-Premier Andrew A. Fahie (R1) at the time of his arrest in Miami, Florida on April 28, 2022, was the Head of Government of the VI and therefore immune from said arrest.

Governor Rankin. during a press conference today, October 19, 2022, when questioned by media on the similarities of the cases, said while he cannot comment on the circumstances of Ms Christopher’s charge since it is before the courts, he pointed of that the Commissioner who was also accused of Breach of Trust had been found to have not committed a criminal offense.

National Security Council accepted CoP's apology- Rankin

“I think the comparison you made between the two is not an apt comparison. And as you may recall, this issue was due to be considered by the National Security Council and that it has been considered by the National Security Council. The National Security Council, of course, noted that the video had been a matter of high concern and a matter of high interest,” Governor Rankin said in response to ZBVI’s Zan Lewis. 

He said the Council also noted that the Commissioner in his statement on June 27, 2022, had made an apology for the breach of the video and the council was satisfied that there was no malicious intent by the Commissioner.

“The Council accepted that the Commissioner of Police had made clear his regret as to how the video was leaked and how it came into public knowledge. The Council also acknowledged and agreed that the material and general content of the leaked video were already in wide circulation in the public domain,” he said.

The Governor also noted that the Council welcomed the fact that the perpetrators in one of the scenes in the leaked video was apprehended and acknowledged that there had been some consultation between the Commissioner of Police and an official at the BVI Tourist board.

Following the leak of the video, Cabinet of the Virgin Islands had requested an investigation into the production and leaking of the ‘Police in Paradise’ recruitment video, and how it could have been leaked.

The Governor added, “the Council was also informed that there was no contractual agreement drawn up and there was no exchange of money to produce Police in paradise and Council has received confirmation that the leaked video will not be aired, on ITV in the United Kingdom.” 

He said in the case of the Commissioner, there was absolutely no criminal offense committed by Mr Collins, Breach of Trust or otherwise, as per the finding of the Council.

When asked if Ms Christopher was given the privilege afforded to the Police Commissioner, the Governor did not comment.

'Hypocrisy' in the system?

Some in the community have already pointed out the "hypocrisy" in the system, since they are of the opinion Mr Collins was treated differently because he is a UK national like John Rankin. Some have cried racism.

According to Julio S. Henry aka ‘Sam’, while on his show Speak out BVI on ZBVI 780 AM on October 11, 2022, the Police Commissioner should have also been sent home for Breach of Trust over the controversial and damaging ‘Police in Paradise’ video, since it was potentially damaging to the territory’s reputation, which its financial services and tourism industries heavily depend on.

According to Mr Henry, the arrest and charging of Ms Christopher while the Commissioner of Police gets off scot-free is “confusing” to him.

“It exemplifies the hypocrisy in our system to see people like Najan who was doing her job at the time, in the capacity of her job, now being vilified and charged for doing her job, but the Police Commissioner, who was involved in a very despicable situation. He was engaged, he granted permission to an outside agency in the United Kingdom to come into the territory and he himself assisted in putting together a videotape to basically discredit and destroy the reputation of the territory. But he wasn’t sent home for breach of trust,” Henry pointed out.

Guest on the show and local activist Melissa M. Potter interjected that the information used in the Police in Paradise video was sensitive information and which was supposed to be used in an ongoing investigation. “Where is his charge?” she also asked.

Mr Henry opined that only the Commissioner of Police would have had the authority to release footage of such a ‘heinous’ crime to a civil agency, yet he was not reprimanded.

The footage in question was of a fatal shooting at Fish Bay on March 16, 2021.

42 Responses to “No 'Breach of Trust’ committed by Police Commissioner– Gov Rankin”

  • rider (19/10/2022, 14:11) Like (13) Dislike (27) Reply

    I guarantee you if it was A B****** person they would havebeen charge. I ain't expect A W***** EN**** MAN TO GO AGAINST HIS VERY OWN. WHAT THE F%4@ WE IN THE BVI COMING TOO???

    • @ rider (19/10/2022, 16:06) Like (39) Dislike (14) Reply
      Not everything is RACIST!!

      No crime was committed and you should have sense enough to know that rather than be blinded by your OWN RACISM.

      Emancipate yourself from mental slavery.

      Yes I from right here and not Caucasian.
    • @rider (19/10/2022, 16:23) Like (11) Dislike (18) Reply
      I glad you ask that. Yet they begging the UK to take over. What rights do they believe they will have then when rights in some people's minds are still determined by skin color. BVI better wake up.
    • You people is just sick (19/10/2022, 17:17) Like (15) Dislike (3) Reply
      As a bi-racial woman living in the BVI, sitting having some lunch minding my business, someone came up to me and asked me if my mother is black and if my father is white? I’m like yeah and what about it? The person said to me no matter how much black I have in me I will always get over because of my white side. I was so stunned I did not know what to say. Wowwww.
  • Citizen (19/10/2022, 14:12) Like (15) Dislike (36) Reply
    People just remember once you white, you have immunity. If this is true, the National Security Council needs to go., they are too racist.
    • Just Sayin' (21/10/2022, 09:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      hang on a minute...isnt the nsc made up of premier, dept premier, the attorney gen, govenor and com of police ?? if so how can a majority of the nsc being local be awarding immunity to white folk..? not sure your statement could hold true if ...and i say if im correct on the makeup of the nsc....what is interesting is that the nsc found collins clear of wrong doing, yet he sits on the council doesnt he ?? or am i missing something here.
  • welcome to road town (19/10/2022, 14:33) Like (18) Dislike (15) Reply
    it appears to be an uphill climb for virgin islands after the climb stood still way back 1834
  • Justifiably Upset (19/10/2022, 14:44) Like (15) Dislike (26) Reply
    OK no crime was committed by the Police Chief but an apology from him was insufficient. He likely caused irreparable
    damage to the Territory's name and should have been fired for this or at the least, severely reprimanded.
    • @justifiably upset (19/10/2022, 20:28) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
      It is stated that the crimes shown in the video were already in the public domain. You should be more upset with those who committed the crimes. They are the ones who have damaged the territory's name.
    • I agree (20/10/2022, 20:14) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      Though I am kot a fan of Cindy...she got booted for freedom of speech!

      Damage control!
  • Case close (19/10/2022, 14:52) Like (13) Dislike (19) Reply
    If you whyte your right. Fight your own but let those with little to no melanin get the benefit of the doubt.
  • The Reaper (19/10/2022, 14:53) Like (12) Dislike (5) Reply
    Governor,we look boo,boo the fool .That’s your team player,come on.Smfh
    • Exactly (19/10/2022, 19:26) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
      Just as foolish as when he wanted us to believe that he didn't know about the Agents on island for the former Premier. Transparent mess.
  • Blind (19/10/2022, 15:21) Like (36) Dislike (22) Reply
    For the ones asking the UK to take over, i wonder if this helps as any indication of the wickedness, unfairness, racism, prejudice you may be subjected to. People in the islands do not understand how they are really viewed. Oh so very trusting.
    • @ blind (19/10/2022, 17:38) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
      Our very own against each other and against expatriates including those from other Caribbean islands so you have NO POINT!
      • @ @blind (20/10/2022, 09:19) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        Keep being blind. Too late shall be the cry. True, black people need to stop acting ignorant and come together but slavery and race discrimination is a whole nudda ball game. You see white and black make the same error. White gets off free, black is arrested and charged. That's just a sniff of things people begging for with this UK takeover. Keep being blind.
        • Jury (20/10/2022, 20:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          That is why they want to take away our Democratic right of the Jury process. Could you imagine what would happen?
      • @ @blind2 (20/10/2022, 09:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Correction. They did not even make the same error. White acted with malice with intent and in a fraudulent manner with complete disregard for the truth. Black was only following instructions from her boss during the course of her employment. It should be no case to answer against black. But white should have his day of questioning in court, with his fate to be determined by judge and jury. Suddenly I starting to understand what the days of slavery looked like. Stay blind.
  • no no no (19/10/2022, 15:59) Like (7) Dislike (18) Reply
    Gov your were gaining alot of popularity from the locals but I think this will hurt that because this is so wrong. How is this happening in the BVI. What is going yooo! The police commissioner just needs to resign at this point.
    • @ no no no (19/10/2022, 19:17) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
      Your bullying won’t help.
      • @@no no no (20/10/2022, 00:09) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
        You must be Wh***????????. That is what you call bullying?? Like everyone else that person is speaking his piece. Smh
  • Labour plz look into (19/10/2022, 16:17) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Not related but there’s a certain big charter company not paying workers and bringing them
    In from the islands and putting them to stay a bit in them hotel
    Then out on the streets with no pay on top of it
    Like modern day slaves
    Over a month no pay and throw out on the streets don’t even care where u go u
    You ask for month salary none.
    Now I know why they ask if I know anyone here.

  • False (19/10/2022, 16:21) Like (17) Dislike (15) Reply
    Absolute breach of trust committed by the Commissioner of police who has abused his powers to contribute to this egregious campaign against the BVI! Clearly he and the Governor are in cahoots to build a negative image of the BVI in their attempts to influence others from the outside in order to lead to the dismantling of the BvIs constitution. They want that to be their legacy. This series of fraudulent exercises need to stop. No confidence in the bias, disingenuous governor. No confidence in the commissioner of police and the ultra vires behaviour. People better wake up and defend their country against this obvious evil agenda and pray to their Lord of recompense.
  • Quiet Warriors (19/10/2022, 17:29) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    We B.V. Islanders behave like trusting mummys. Have we not learn any thing from history? How many times do we have to be pimp slapped, witness and endure the rope-a-dope, cloak and dagger, Fetchit catch it, divide and rule , use as prostitute ourselves, etc to believe that you are viewed as not equals and only use is to serve and play second. Might is right and white is right are still relevant beliefs. If former commissioners V. Malone and R. Frazer had collaborated on the same or similar video would they have treated differently? Yes. Maya Angelou says “when someone shows who they are , believe them the first time.” people tell you who they are believe them.
  • Rubber Chicken (19/10/2022, 17:56) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    Come on people, let us petition the US to become a part of the USVI. Why so we wish to continue to subject ourselves to unelected governors and elected buffoons.
  • asura (19/10/2022, 18:07) Like (5) Dislike (6) Reply
    I am clear now the governor is a racist
  • Local (19/10/2022, 18:43) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
    When you all always coming on here talking about race white vs blacks remember people all over reading these post tell me who hurting tourist? Season about to start debate issuses people. Stop making everything about white, black, and who from elswhere
    • @local (20/10/2022, 00:06) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      The isl*** people. They are the ones blogging. It’s so obvious the way some of these comments are phrased.
  • Sambo (19/10/2022, 19:38) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    Stupid Argument. Being a head of government doesnt provide immediate immunity. The supreme court already addressed this in the case of Noriega, and added that the person was required to be accepted in the receiving state to get immunity, even if head of state. Ofcourse what we fail to realize is that there is a difference between head of government and head of state. Head of government does not carry as much weight as head of state. Najan tried to award Andrew head of state status through correspondence, when according to the BVI constitution, the Queen remained head of state.

    Ofcourse she tried to tread lightly in her letter by failing to even mention what convention, treaty or law Andrew was assured passage or protection under and instead only demanded it. To jail she needs to go.
  • Lemon Aid (19/10/2022, 19:47) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    It was not the Commissioner who released the videoforpublic viewing .
    It was a non BVIslander who illicitly obtained the video and released it to theworldwide Public in an effort to cause damage to the VI. No mention for our ears how or whom and with whom she got the Video. Not the end. This snake in the grass with red lips now owes the UK big time.. Mark my words. She singing and will sing.
    .
  • Morning BRAFF (19/10/2022, 20:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This will come as a hit to the position Sam held on morning braff.

    We lost this one but we ain’t going stop!
  • Hg (19/10/2022, 21:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Investigation, can someone tell the public whether or not the officer that licks the video was charged? specifically for breach of trust. Probably ,the guinea pig is too close to them.
  • WOW (19/10/2022, 21:45) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Of course not. The colonizers are never wrong. When you white, you right. When you black, stay back.
    We nothing but property to them.
    To hell wid aaaaaalladem.
  • WOW!!! (19/10/2022, 23:13) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Old Slave Mill, grinding slow but grinding still
  • Yes to UK (20/10/2022, 10:06) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    All you RACES fools are part of the BVI down fall, I was born in the BVI grew up without hearing the word RACES in the BVI until about 10 years ago, in the last 3 years it has gotten worse and this is not good for the BVI as a tourist destination and a lot of you RACES are making your living from the white man. We let too many people in the BVI without knowing anything about them and as we know most people from the different Islands don’t like white people. We need to stop this Bull s3it now if we want this place to move forward. Sam you are in the taxi business and make your living from the same white people you hate.
    • Yes to UK (21/10/2022, 14:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Were you thinking RACIST but typed RACES more than once? And tell me this, if you dislike the things that a person does, whether they are black, white or otherwise, does that make you a racist?
  • Buckingham (20/10/2022, 18:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    hello(there is a big difference between ebony & ivory)
  • @Just Saying (21/10/2022, 14:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Regardless of the make up of the NSC, the Governor who has made a job of dangling our Constitution over the heads of locals is a part of it and he is very heavy handed...


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