Police Bill: After 'no-warrant search' officers can seize property on reasonable grounds!

- Police Bill now a threat to democracy & human rights of Virgin Islands residents

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The anti-democratic bill aimed at turning the Virgin Islands (VI) into a police state, is being pushed by the UK-appointed Governor H.E. John J. Ranking, CMG and Police Commissioner Mark Collins who are both UK Nationals. Photo: VINO/File/Facebook

The Bill also allows the police to justify the seizure on the grounds that it is necessary to hold the item/s to prevent the evidence from being concealed, lost, or destroyed according to section 49 (3) b. Photo: VINO/File

Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) is the sponsor of the Bill on the behalf of Governor Ranking who cannot come to the Legislature. The Premier has already assured the Territory that 'the Bill will never be passed in its current form'. Photo: VINO/File

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- As the controversial Police Bill 2023 returns to the House of Assembly (HoA) today Tuesday, February 21, 2023, for further scrutiny, many in the legal fraternity have concluded that the Bill not only undermines human rights and justice but it is a direct threat to the local democracy.

The anti-democratic Bill, seemingly aimed at turning the Virgin Islands (VI) into a police state, is being pushed by the UK-appointed Governor H.E. John J. Rankin, CMG and Police Commissioner Mark Collins, who are both UK Nationals.

Section 49 of the proposed Bill should raise red flags for all residents. The Bill in its current form gives the police powers that, once on your premises, they can seize any item merely on “reasonable grounds” for believing that the item may have been obtained as a result of an offense.

Anything can be seized

The Bill sets out that any item can be seized by police on one’s premises on reasonable grounds, if the police believe it could be evidence in relation to an offense and whether or not the item is being investigated.

The Bill also allows the police to justify the seizure on the grounds that it is necessary to hold the item/s to prevent the evidence from being concealed, lost, or destroyed, according to section 49 (3) b.

So, in other words, if the police come on your property and see a new Bentley car, they can assume via “reasonable grounds” that a resident has obtained that car via illegal means and can proceed to seize the car.

This can apply to any item on your premises from computers, books, security cameras, boats, jewelry, business, home appliances and materials, or even high-end watches. The police can keep the item/s indefinitely on the claim that it is under investigation.

No justice no peace

There is no way for the residents to know if that is a fact, and it will be hard for the court to try to interfere with an “ongoing investigation”, according to one legal commentator.

The same proposed Bill in its current form will also allow police to go on someone's premises to conduct a search without a warrant, according to section 36.

At a public meeting in Sea Cows Bay on the main island of Tortola last week, Hon Neville A. Smith (AL), the Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, said he wrote the BVI Bar Association on this Bill and their advice was to “leave the Bill alone for now, as it takes away fundamental rights and freedom.”

Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) is the sponsor of the Bill on behalf of Governor Rankin, who cannot come to the Legislature.

The Premier has already assured the Territory that “the Bill will never be passed in its current form”.

Click here to view Police Act, 2023

49 Responses to “Police Bill: After 'no-warrant search' officers can seize property on reasonable grounds!”

huh (21/02/2023, 10:15) Like (40) Dislike (4) Reply
Pure madness !!! How is this humanly right??
- WARNING!!!!!!!! (21/02/2023, 11:25) Like (55) Dislike (2) Reply
  This gives police the chance to plant drugs on property and claim it was there plus we already know some of these police involved in the drug trade with the other criminals.
  - @WARNING!!!!!!! (21/02/2023, 11:43) Like (38) Dislike (2) Reply
    That's exactly what I am thinking. Also, it gives those malicious, demeaning, disgruntled and unethical Officers the Rights to intimidate and mistreat individuals they have issues without any repercussion. This Bill will only entice reaction of force against those who trample on citizens. There is a whole hidden agenda behind this Bill and it is not good for the Territory.
  - jack (21/02/2023, 13:03) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
    OK then? The police must prove themselves to be law-abiding citizens before they are granted such authority.
... (21/02/2023, 10:23) Like (11) Dislike (6) Reply
I think these UK agenda pushing people are really afraid of the UN mandate on Independence. We deserve our independence. Period.

If we you put those laws in and we go independent... its a set up to say look what happened after we left them to lead themselves. No warrant searches, immunity to corrupt officers & ridiculously unjustified property seizures!

They're playing the long game. 400 years deep

We dont need this police state big brother watching over your shoulder new world order.

Get rid of the guns, let us lead ourselves & get rid of the monroe doctrine mentality... this place will be a paradise.

Currently our international relations are far removed from the average VI-lander & afro-Caribbean perspectives.

The colonizers are practically ready to march to war & want to put these laws in place quickly to keep us under control because WE are the savages & super predators.
akon (21/02/2023, 10:31) Like (13) Dislike (5) Reply
Separation is key for any race that tries to work with these reptilian people. Their DNA is different and their ways cannot change. A shark cannot be a yellowtail even though both is fish. A parrot cannot be a eagle even though they are birds. Only the history researchers with a open mind will understand.
pat (21/02/2023, 10:31) Like (12) Dislike (3) Reply
Wake up people
We not going back forwards eva (21/02/2023, 10:35) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
Hmmmmm..
Jerry Teeler (21/02/2023, 10:42) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
Yep. Be careful with that one Tortolians. Now Top Cop, let’s get on back to mufflers on motorbikes and corrupt cops.
Where Is It? (21/02/2023, 10:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
I searched for it online but could not find it. Is there a link someone can provide?
All for it (21/02/2023, 10:57) Like (15) Dislike (42) Reply
If you have nothing to hide then what’s the problem, this is fairly standard in other parts of the world. How does it make sense to give people time to destroy evidence?
- @ All for It (21/02/2023, 11:28) Like (22) Dislike (3) Reply
  So because it’s standard on other parts of the world that makes it right?
  
  Other parts of the world are under a dictatorship.
- @ all fir it (21/02/2023, 11:31) Like (20) Dislike (6) Reply
  you looking an excuse for UK cops to beat us up and kill we
  - @@all fir it (21/02/2023, 11:46) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    That poster seems to want that. Hmmm if only the US$ wasn't our currency of use!
- Sigh (21/02/2023, 14:34) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
  You poor human, you don’t need to be on no site commenting on anything cause you’re not paying attention to what’s going on.
- An actual expert (02/06/2023, 23:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
  It is literally illegal all the way up to the international level for governments to violate civil and human rights. It only happens because idiots like this allow everyone from the governments to the corporations to every other institution in society to do so like slavery, colonialism, apartheid and all the other atrocities that come with dictatorship and tyranny taught us nothing. Once gone it will be harder to regain the rights that not even the government could have given you to begin with yet wish to take away. Our ancestors fought this hard only for these disgraces that want us back in chains to be among us? I think not, they must be rolling in their graves. This is the one that went and woke the master and told of the plans to revolt or escape in hopes of a reward.
Liat 521 (21/02/2023, 10:58) Like (12) Dislike (6) Reply
Thanks vino for your good work on this bad bill
one (21/02/2023, 11:19) Like (12) Dislike (21) Reply
Why do people especially some of us tortolian don't like living right only like the corruption that is going on in this place what a shame.
See (21/02/2023, 11:19) Like (13) Dislike (16) Reply
We earned this with the crime in our territory. Poor parenting and lazy youths who want to be cool have all but destroyed our territory. Everyone knows it as well . This unfortunately has become a necessary law if we are serious about stopping the drug traffic and gun violence
- Citizen (21/02/2023, 11:40) Like (13) Dislike (6) Reply
  Shut your a**. You are saying that the colonizers have a right to take away our freedom, when they are the one watching all port of entry? They cannot even deal with the crimes in their country much less.
  - @citizen (21/02/2023, 14:26) Like (3) Dislike (6) Reply
    Colonizers, colonizers, colonizers! No talk about criminals. Murderers, drug dealers, thieves, walking amongst us, living next door. They are fine because they are local? One 'ah we?
    
    Someone is feeding you some Kool Aid and you are drinking it down!
2023 (21/02/2023, 11:27) Like (17) Dislike (6) Reply
Just a question:-
does police on in London have this type of authority or the Governor along with the commissioner of police bringing these measures to Road Town(Slavery Flash Back)

We all know this bill is and will target most black peoples: it is funny how some can walk into Road Town(build the big villa on the hill side and road town police including the white cops carries out no investigation as to where the funds came free

Keep the faith
Really (21/02/2023, 11:34) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
The elites script is right on the money. This is how the agenda 2030 come in play, you will definitely own nothing and be happy because you too damn gullible. This police bill is the New World Order Bill. All the people who thinks the government can't find you wait and see because they passed the law two years ago that Siri is recording everything that's illegal and will have to report it but it's not on full effect everywhere yet but this bill makes it close. All you people who they are investigating wait and see for yourself because they will use this bill against you. No one here makes the kind of money for the life I see you all living so mark my words when I say you will have nothing when the ELITES are done with you
- REALLY? Really (21/02/2023, 14:20) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
  It boggles the mind to read the conspiracy theory claptrap that gets printed in these blogs. People have the need for a narrative that supports their personal paranoia and suspicions, so they piece all these fears into a crazy quilt and try to spread it out for all to see.
police officer (21/02/2023, 11:49) Like (8) Dislike (7) Reply
I don't what is all the hoopla all about at present existing law right now in the police act. The police has power to seized property especially if it is suspected to be stolen or if the proclaimed owner cannot justify how they came into possession of such property. Many of the things they issues with is already law.
- @ police officer (21/02/2023, 13:31) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
  Put your foot in the other shoe and see if you would want police officers entering your home without a warrant seizing items and you KNOW often it would be unjustifiable with some of the unethical, vindictive, colluding officers on the force.
WOW (21/02/2023, 11:51) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
We have other things in the BVI to fix more than people personal items.. PURE RUBBISH WE ARE NOT THAT STUPID
@ ALL FOR IT (21/02/2023, 11:52) Like (6) Dislike (10) Reply
I totally agree with you / only those who has something to hide are singing the racism song . so the canaries can sing and dance as much as they like book 5he iron own music / we have seen through their dirty game . It's time to clean up the country from these drug dealers and drug addics , guns and brutal murders that is taking over the country . and if you notice none of those hypocrites is not saying a word about those serious issues , because that law will hurt their business
- @ “@ ALL FOR IT” (21/02/2023, 16:34) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
  There are those who have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO HIDE but want their privacy and human rights to be protected and respected and this is a VIOLATION.
  
  There was a recent killing in the US where an officer plotted to kill his ex’s boyfriend by pulling him over and the other officers helped with the act when the boyfriend did nothing wrong.
  
  Do you understand abuse of authority?
  
  Police officers here collude with friends, family, lawyers to help them bend and break laws.
  
  THIS IS A VIOLATION!!!!!!!!
Hmm (21/02/2023, 11:52) Like (16) Dislike (4) Reply
They try to push this bill in the UK about a decade ago and it was rejected by the citizens
- The Real Truth (21/02/2023, 12:34) Like (6) Dislike (10) Reply
  You are factually incorrect- this bill mirrors the existing laws in the UK full stop.
Hmmmm (21/02/2023, 11:53) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
Let us see if our leaders will do the right thing by the majority of people of the BVI with this slavery intentded written bill or if they will please a non-elected governor whose only interest is to enslave us but trying to fool us by saying otherwise.
Bigger pictureee (21/02/2023, 12:29) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
That’s what y’all wanted, when shouting “UK Rule”..
@ LIAT 521 (21/02/2023, 12:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
It should be LIARD 521 , ( there you go again blowing your own horn ???? we know it's you blogging with a new name again , GROW UP
FED (21/02/2023, 12:44) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
The only thing to do in this place is to disband the Police Force and let everyone do what seems right to them. Let the Criminals run the state.
The Reaper (21/02/2023, 12:57) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
U all police gonna get. K…..
one eye (21/02/2023, 13:01) Like (15) Dislike (5) Reply
The bill is just wicked just like Collins and ranking
how is this even possible (21/02/2023, 13:28) Like (8) Dislike (4) Reply
.....to even be considered. What century is this? Governor and Police Commissioner could you all please leave and go back to the UK. This is pure nonsense. You all want to take over these islands real bad. Get out of here.
Soon and Very Soon! (21/02/2023, 13:41) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
The British Virgin Islands Police force will be predominately run and operated by the WHITE United Kingdom Officer Agents. This is one of the main reasons this bill is being placed on the table unprecedentedly. The Agenda is already set and plans are in motion for there to be a substantial amount of power in the hands of the WHITES, in this manner, to suppress and control the natives of this country. Remember I said so, it is not a joke nor is it an opinion, this is a FACT...
guy hill (21/02/2023, 13:48) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
What's next? a BLOOD TEST?
Human (21/02/2023, 13:49) Like (4) Dislike (5) Reply
It will be nothing more than a real war between the pigs and we the people that live here, these cops are nothing more than a set of corupted individuals waiting for a chance to conect a drug run.
- @Human (21/02/2023, 14:28) Like (5) Dislike (6) Reply
  If you mean "we the people who live here .." = criminals. That is not all of us.
  
  Only certain people are scared of this bill. And we know why!
craziness (21/02/2023, 13:56) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
They can also put stuff in your house that don’t belong to you! This bill is pure madness!
Suicide mission (21/02/2023, 14:05) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
Sudden rise in police deaths coming soon if they think something like this will fly. Once you step onto someone’s property it’s between you, them and God about what happens next.
Hmmmm (21/02/2023, 20:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
Every yard ..peice of land in East got boats and trucks and car..gonna be a trip to go through all that.Especially all the containers containing boats and cars and whatever else.
lol (21/02/2023, 20:24) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
Is this North Korea? That bill needs to go in the bin and start over from scratch.
Really (21/02/2023, 23:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
@really? Really. You are really dumb. They call us conspiracy theorists because we're smart. We are common sense smart not programmed book smart. Your living your life not thinking about no one else because if you did you would see that the government is at war with humans period. If you was smart you would think about what these people are talking about because you can't understand big words obviously because you wouldn't call us conspiracy theorists. It's called the beast system which you will not be able to buy,sell or trade so if thos won't happen how would AI and all the other control system happens. Just go to goggle and punch in 15 minutes cities, climate change lockdown,and the digital system and then you can stop calling me that name because the Prince wrote the great reset book. He also is big in the World economic Forum and the world health organisation which talks about killing people to achieve a sustainable environment. These words to big for you so go look them up
New World Order (22/02/2023, 07:07) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
I will sum it all for you by just saying this is the new world order. It's already being done all over the world. Now their reaching out to the little islands and territory they own now. Soon we will be moving to a cash less society. You have been warned.
expert (03/06/2023, 00:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
To think it has people that actually think this makes sense and using the increase in crime as if all evidence from all data, studies and actual application in multiple jurisdictions around the world haven't shown that you can't lower crime by making things more restricted. It's almost as if the information collected over decades upon decades upon decades hasn't shown that the way governments try to force control only makes the problem they are trying to solve worse because of a fundamental portion of the functioning of the human brain which is defiantly in contradiction and causes more of the behavior that's not wanted. We just want to ignore countries that fixed these problems long ago and in short time cause the small minds or lack of minds don't like the solution although the current methods only keep failing to solve the issue or worsen the issue. This is why so many people leave good work to find something else to do to better the world. This kind of stupid, doing the same yet hoping for change, this is why. As if it's not already been stated at the international level that these behaviors (there's an actual published list) are unhealthy, discriminatory, oppressive, illegal, unethical, immoral and so much worse and should be stopped if the world is to not go the way of every previous civilization that went this way and crumbled horribly so that they now no longer exist and we call them history as there are only but ruins. You will own nothing and be happy, so said the World Economic Forum, openly everywhere even on their website, an organization by the way made up of

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Police Bill: After 'no-warrant search' officers can seize property on reasonable grounds!

49 Responses to “Police Bill: After 'no-warrant search' officers can seize property on reasonable grounds!”

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