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RVIPF needs leaders who are not on the job for the $$- Verne H.E Browne

-Says force needs to hire top brass with interest in VI
Former Chief Inspector in the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) Verne H.E Browne who also served as Former Police Commissioner of the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda has blasted the RVIPF Top brass as just wanting the financial benefits of job. Photo: Team of Reporters
Mr Brown was at the time a called on the Tola Radio 100.1 ‘Da Morning Braff’ radio show hosted by. Floyd Burnett and Guest Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade, Hon Lorna G. Smith (AL). Photo: Facebook/File
Mr Brown was at the time a called on the Tola Radio 100.1 ‘Da Morning Braff’ radio show hosted by. Floyd Burnett and Guest Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade, Hon Lorna G. Smith (AL). Photo: Facebook/File
FAT HOGS BAY, Tortola, VI- Former Chief Inspector in the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) Verne H.E Browne, who also served as Former Police Commissioner of the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda, has blasted the RVIPF top brass as just wanting the financial benefits of the job.

Browne was at the time a caller on the February 15, 2024, ‘Da Morning Braff’ radio show on Tola Radio 100.5 hosted by Floyd Burnett aka 'Heritage' and had the Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade, Hon Lorna G. Smith, OBE (AL) as a guest.

Browne, who continues to be outspoken on matters in the Virgin Islands, told the radio audience that his approach towards crime in the VI would be to instill the fear of God in children and good parenting, including for parents to be more accountable for their children’s actions as they pertain to criminal activity.

Browne said; however, that a significant part of improving the police force will start with having staff that is committed to the force and not just the wages.

“Unless and until we stop putting persons at the top of our constabulary who just come to rape the country of its financial benefit, the force and the police service will not move on,” he said.

Vernon E. Malone's leadership is remembered

Mr Browne referenced the first local Commissioner Vernon E. Malone, his charismatic leadership, and his stewardship of the force, including pushing top talent toward educational development.

“We are having persons at the top of the post who are coming for the financial package and nothing else, the evidence speaks for itself… Cabinet must wake up,” he said.

Browne said it remains a setback for persons to be parachuted to the top of the RVIPF and then only to leave with their big financial package.

Meanwhile, Hon Smith agreed with the points raised by Mr Browne, and recalled the work of former Commissioner Malone and his leadership style. 

According to the Deputy Premier, the VI has to go beyond hiring persons coming to the VI for three years and then leaving, “you must have a vested interest in the territory,” she said.

34 Responses to “RVIPF needs leaders who are not on the job for the $$- Verne H.E Browne”

  • jack (16/02/2024, 13:31) Like (14) Dislike (12) Reply
    Vornon was the best
    • @Jack (16/02/2024, 21:45) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
      This man has an agenda… he is against Virgin Islanders. He needs to comment about his own country’s politics and his short employment there. He should keep his agenda to himself because he communicates like an ungrateful parasite.
      • Sad… (18/02/2024, 23:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        It is very sad that when someone point out the obvious ills of our society, we are always quick to find fault with the person to some degree. Our community is a sick place. Demons lurk in dark corners wreaking havoc on our beautiful country everyday. There is no gathering where prayer is not the first order before people continue, but yet the place is full of sickness. Mental, emotional and physical sickness. I do not care where Browne came from or who he is. If he speaks positivity and truth I am open to listening because sometimes GOD uses people to get to us when we are not listening. If we want better, we have to be honest with ourselves. And if YOU are honest with yourself you will see the man is speaking truth. If someone walks up to you and says “your fly is open” do you then stand there and stare the person down looking for something to come back with? Or, do simply say thank you, pull up your zipper and check yourself to make sure nothing else is out of place? Why are we like this, and yet we get offended when referred to as a third world nation. Our mentality NEEDS to change. GOD is not pleased with us and as long as we continue to interact with each other like this we will continue to held in low favor by him.
    • Forbidden Truth (17/02/2024, 08:38) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
      @Jack.........Not really
  • Yes (16/02/2024, 13:32) Like (13) Dislike (7) Reply
    Brown right. I'm not a police fan but what brown saying is so right and half them island man in the focus using the police job to put man in for bad bitch
  • Silent Majority (16/02/2024, 13:33) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    A vested interest in criminal activities?
  • Citizen.. (16/02/2024, 13:37) Like (14) Dislike (5) Reply
    Thanks Mr Brown for your courageous stand. Your voice means a lot on the Issues. Now we see Police all over and every where. What I don't like is 2 WPCs patrolling together, also, I don't like your Biblical refs. People were fighting more in the Past wrestling kick and box, the difference today is as a man or woman
    gets angry or feels violated they want to use a gun.. .
    • Hg (16/02/2024, 15:12) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
      This is called " women in policing ???? ". The new gossip association in force.
  • Alkaline (16/02/2024, 13:40) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Am all about the money, and the money all about me.
    ATM (All about the money)
  • tola (16/02/2024, 13:41) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Soo true
  • action (16/02/2024, 13:48) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
    So why to people go to work if not first and foremost for the financial benefits. Maybe Mr Brown should first speak to the politicians and find out if they are there for country or self. Some senior police officers work harder than the politicians. Can you compare the benefits and the packages. So Mr Brown wheel and come again.
  • Disgruntled (16/02/2024, 13:59) Like (22) Dislike (17) Reply
    Isn’t he the Commissioner that was suspended in Antigua? And failed to get appointed to any senior post in the RVIPF
    • Truth (16/02/2024, 15:53) Like (5) Dislike (9) Reply
      @Disgruntled - you are correct and it’s the part that gets conveniently ignored!
  • Native Senior Citizen of the British Virgin Islands (16/02/2024, 14:07) Like (10) Dislike (13) Reply
    Sir, my respect to you for your good past service done in the BVI and Antigua, but it will serve you well, if you distant yourself from this ongoing political power-struggle entanglement happening in the BVI

    Continue helping Antigua a more safer place for all the people that are living there, and others that will.
    Be at peace with God our Creator your family and neighbors, by the power of love, peace and hope

  • Real Macoy (16/02/2024, 14:34) Like (7) Dislike (8) Reply
    Very well said Mr. Browne.
  • Socrates (16/02/2024, 14:54) Like (14) Dislike (4) Reply
    The former Chief Inspector of the RVIPF and former Commissioner of the ABPF earned his promotion to levels of increasing responsibilities but you know I have a few Socratic questions.

    1. Is former Chief Inspector Verne H. E. Browne still seething about being pass over for CoP of RVIPF?
    2. Is Browne throwing shade at the current leadership of the RVIPF?
    3. Is Browne yearning to return to the RVIPF as CoP?
    4. Why was Browne knowledge and experience in policing didn’t transform the ABPF on his hometown in Antigua and Barbuda?
    5. Was the alleged truncated tour with the ABPF due leadership and management style, politics, or one usually find no honour in his/her own country?
    6. Does the RVIPF need to revamp its recruiting to recruit higher quality recruits who has an interest in serving and protecting, instead of signing up for the pay and fast track to belongership ?
    7. Is a greater effort needed to recruit local police officers?
    8. Who funds the RVIPF? Why is the force under Governor and not local government ?
    9. Is it a strategic, control mode, for the UK controlling, Security, RVIPF, Courts, civil Service, Jail, etc.? Is this deliberate by design?
    • Answer.. (17/02/2024, 04:36) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
      Putting Police under politicians will be a disaster, imagine police taking instructions from politicians. It's Perfect under the Governor....I know Vere B. I worked with him . I like him But the truth is He is power hungry, thinks he knows it all and he is a big coward..
      • Socrates (17/02/2024, 20:33) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
        To Answer, the VI and other OTs have a unique situation with the UK, for it is a dependency model situation. The governor(s) is not elected but rather appointed by the UK and has unilateral power, controlling all the security elements, ie, police, prison, courts, civil servants, etc., for direct control. The colonialists have been afraid of the locals/inhabitants of the islands, viewing them as uncivilized, aliens, beasts, etc.

        Moreover, under both the Westminister and presidential system locales, the police is under the purview of elected members. True, in some instances elected officials may try to weaponize the police for their own personal purposes. The UK-appointed governors too protect the leadership of police and weaponized it for their purposes . For example, former Governor John Rankin has done that with current CoP Mark Collins. The police should be professional, apolitical, etc., expressing their political opinion/views at the ballot box. Citizens must get engaged to foster good governance, politicians are emboldened to do what they want when the electorate hibernate and look the other way.
        • @Socrates (18/02/2024, 09:16) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
          To Socrates, I thought you could only ask questions for readers to dwell on but apparently you can also answer questions and bring receipts.
  • Correction (16/02/2024, 15:01) Like (2) Dislike (7) Reply
    Get the man's name right. His name is Vere Brown, not Verne
  • resident (16/02/2024, 15:05) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    When Vernon was there they treated him like shit
  • Norris Turnbull (16/02/2024, 15:10) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Unless and until we stop putting persons at the top of our constabulary who just come to rape the country of its financial benefit, the force and the police service will not move on,” he said.
    Most in the police force do not like bvislanders or the virgin Islands. Same for Prison, airport security & health servumices.
  • Money for Browne (16/02/2024, 15:14) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hasn’t he just been appointed to assist this commissioner with firearms licensing!!!! MOTIVE
  • Citizen (16/02/2024, 15:40) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    He can just simply leave.
  • Job seeker (16/02/2024, 15:49) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
    Sadly I suspect Mr Browne is desperate to take the role himself and would be a disaster. There are reasons why he didn’t do very well in Antigua you only have to do a little research, so thanks Mr Browne but no thanks!
  • rob (16/02/2024, 17:04) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
    Collins is a failure for sure
    • Quiet Rebel (17/02/2024, 09:17) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      To Rob, true Collins is an abject failure, but neither Rankin nor Pruce nor any other UK appointed Governor will sack him. He pardoned by Rankin after dissing the BVI, behaving deliberately like a bird which foil the best in which it roost. But he is not roosting in the BVI; it is just a job. Nevertheless, if he were of African descent he would have been long gone, being cast out in a New York second. But the BVI are happy being dissed, disrespected, disparaged, etc.
  • nanny (17/02/2024, 07:00) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Mr. Brown, please call the names of all the top brace salary collectors for us,so ,we can put their names in our petition next time. The police force is at a stage of decomposition . It reaches to the bottom.,nepotism, favoritism, racism,"gossipisism" jamaicanism " and lesbianism are blatant within the rvipf these days..
  • de silent one (17/02/2024, 07:57) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mr Browne has made some valid point that need some serious attention, as it relates to recruitment. Its a process that has lost its way and as a result the country suffer. Help is desperately needed
  • hill (17/02/2024, 14:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I don’t care what Brown says, your own country run and fired you!! When he was a pol-lice, he and Devonish, give man drugs to sell, then arrest them after they got the money…Blow Way .. nastiness !!
  • change (17/02/2024, 17:13) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    Verne Browne you will make a great commissioner of Police for Here in the bvi, no question about that.
    He is for everyone and he is one of us. He is still here and he ain't going anywhere.
  • HMMM (18/02/2024, 05:49) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    That's all the there for thee money,set of waste and when they go home.saying how easy it is to get the US dollar in Tortola...we don't even work for the kind of money!
  • Tadow (18/02/2024, 07:45) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mis-son Brown hall your A$$


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