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Only 20% of Police Force are Virgin Islanders- David Morris

Commissioner of Police Mr David Morris told lawmakers that the Police Force is comprised of 20% Virgin Islanders and the remainder 80% was from other islands. Photo: VINO/File
Eighth District Representative Honourable Marlon A. Penn (inset) was querying the current demographics of the police force when Commissioner Morris told lawmakers that the Police Force is comprised of 20% Virgin Islanders and the remainder 80% was from other islands. Photo: VINO/File
Eighth District Representative Honourable Marlon A. Penn (inset) was querying the current demographics of the police force when Commissioner Morris told lawmakers that the Police Force is comprised of 20% Virgin Islanders and the remainder 80% was from other islands. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- With the fact that Virgin Islanders are a minority in their homeland, it appears now that this is also reflected in every vital institution in the territory.

Word from David Morris, the United Kingdom-appointed white Commissioner of Police in a black dominated population, is that a mere 20% of Virgin Islanders make up the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF).

Mr Morris, who critics say have not done much as Police Commissioner to fight crime and manage the force, was at the time testifying before the House of Assembly Standing Finance Committee last year to examine the draft estimates for the year 2015.

The Police boss was at the time responding to a question from Eighth District Representative Honourable Marlon A. Penn as to the current demographics of the police force.

To this question, Mr Morris told lawmakers that the Police Force is comprised of 20% Virgin Islanders and the remainder 80% was from other islands.

However, Mr Morris did not provide the Committee with a breakdown as to race, nationality of the expat officers, those from the United Kingdom, and civilian workers.

Locals can’t pass exam

Morris caused controversy about two years ago when he claimed that locals can’t pass the police entrance exam. Many regarded his utterance as an insult to residents and a way to justify the systematic lock out of locals from the Police Force.

The controversial Morris went as far as inviting Members of the House of Assembly to take the exam.  Morris told a public meeting in April of 2013 that it seems that young people are having difficulties with the general knowledge aspects of the exam and that young people do not know who the Premier is, the Governor or the Commissioner of Police.

No room for locals in RVPF- racism?

Local police officers have long complained that they have been pushed around, forced to retire, denied promotion and marginalised since Morris took office. 

Black officers have also claimed that there is racism in the RVIPF and have also alleged that white UK Officers are paid more than they are, do less work, and is a source of harassment for black police officers.

The constabulary has been rocked with a long list of lawsuits against Morris over violation of police officers rights, and issues of fairness and not following the law when dealing with both police officers and the public.

In the meantime, crime in the Virgin Islands has sky rocketed with some three homicides for 2014 in a small population with less than 30 thousand persons.

Morris and the National Democratic Party (NDP) continue to claim that crime is down.

23 Responses to “Only 20% of Police Force are Virgin Islanders- David Morris”

  • ccc (07/01/2015, 15:06) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ting to talk
  • lolol (07/01/2015, 15:58) Like (17) Dislike (7) Reply
    Yall really want to know who control the police force at the top? Just take a look at the checker print on their hats, you think it is there for style, or because some ole police man say checker look good? NO god damnit.... EVERYTHING has its purpose. It is a signature to those who speak that same language informing the observer who is truly behind the scene. Not even the men who wear it knows, I doubt even morris himself is aware, he is just another strategically placed puppet who has his own instructions to follow as well. Go read up on the importance of the symbolic language for the checker print and what group of men are behind it. Silly people, yall have no idea whats going on its so so saaaaaad.... More police and bigger hospital but crime and illness STILL on the rise, both of which are VERY lucrative for those who make a living off of people continuously getting sick and a displaced/impoverished community. If we ever become a crime free nation, what will happen to all the police? What if we ever become an illness free country with all the cures, what will happen to all the doctors? Yall gettin played more than my grandfather lashin dogs cd in his montero jeep.....
    • Free Lesson (08/01/2015, 10:15) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
      @lolol - you know what time it is! The sheeple now going come on here bashing about conspiracy theory this and that!

      Order Out of Chaos and Symbols in PLAIN SIGHT!
  • wize up (07/01/2015, 17:12) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    and the church said amen
  • rewrsdffds (07/01/2015, 17:59) Like (17) Dislike (6) Reply
    Ohhh shocking statistics! Because there are so so so many locals lined up wanting to be cops but are sidelined by the evil white men and island men. LMAO! Really? No local wants to join the force and those who are there want to be promoted based on their passport and not their performance on the job or examinations.
    • ...... (08/01/2015, 09:04) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
      I tired say the same thing. This entitlement mentality must go! We are a sad bunch.
  • rattie (07/01/2015, 18:52) Like (14) Dislike (11) Reply
    Another case of discrimination against the locals...Like the NDP Morris must go!
  • cop (07/01/2015, 18:59) Like (13) Dislike (5) Reply

    Ahyo get rid of James too......must come to light

  • Lolz (07/01/2015, 19:23) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    I wonder which of the islands the Commissioner is from because i know he ain't local.
  • police officer west end (08/01/2015, 00:21) Like (7) Dislike (9) Reply
    this hog wash from Morris about crime is down it sounds absolutely ludicrous.
  • pat (08/01/2015, 00:26) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    The biggest downfall of these islands is our people not addressing the rampant crime taking place on this tiny rock. Stop looking for someone to blame. Remember the old adage "when you point a finger three point back". Look within yourself before you take aim at others.
  • um (08/01/2015, 06:52) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    Is it really necessary to try to make a race issue...and by the way Morris is mixed not white...
    • Onthehead (08/01/2015, 09:30) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
      That's why them send Morris here because he ain't white. You think them fooley? Remember what happened to "Spider-Web." We don't want no return of the slavemaster on us.
  • ..... (08/01/2015, 08:58) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply

     The man already told you he's not white.. You all just like to rub it in. Having said that. We talk about we can't find work, still we sit and allow our Police Force to be over run by outsiders. This place is sad sad meson.

  • lolol (again) (08/01/2015, 09:03) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Where there's more hungry mouths than food to eat. It's where the homeless roam the street. Where broken glass and broken dreams are shattered and scattered amongst debris. Sufferation wrath and still they laugh and dream of a mansion above the half, no one to speak upon there behalf. Now tell me DO THEY STAND A CHANCE? Where there's more food than mouths to feed where you find those who CLAIM to lead, because of all their personal GREED they always want more than they need! They don't help those below the half, instead they stand aside and laugh, as if it's all we'll ever ask. When will they make a change?
  • sam the man (08/01/2015, 09:33) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    The BVI is much safer than many places in the world so I believe folk should be grateful for that, sadly often the point is made that many locals (not all) don't want to work hard and undertake hard working responsible jobs such as police enforcement - whether this is fair or not I'm unsure but I am grateful for the many that step up and undertake the difficult role required of a police man/woman rather than sit back and criticise - who cares if they are from another Island or have a different skin color - grow up people! . Its easy to complain but the people that come in and undertake the work that others aren't prepared to do or probably don't have the ability to do should not be criticised.
  • persia (08/01/2015, 13:00) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
    the tension between racists both in the expat and local BVI community is getting there.
  • farmer man (09/01/2015, 15:31) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
    who wants to be a pig
  • Elizabeth (09/01/2015, 17:21) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
    How many % of the UK Force are British? I would say 90 or more %. Virgin Islanders should protect Virgin Islanders.
  • long look me come from (11/01/2015, 18:31) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    no room for locals in a lot more places than the police force
  • sha (12/01/2015, 12:58) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
    They dont want to hire any locals! I job trained here in high school, after I graduated I applied for a job... I got no response. Up to a few months ago I have applied and still no response!! Keep the locals out so that others can come in and act as though they are above us in our own country! And it is well known, that is why locals dont assist the police with any crimes happening here. This needs to be investigated!!!


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