UK police recruits slammed for allegedly misusing police boat for bar hopping
Not a joint task force operation- Wade N. Smith
Commissioner of Customs and Head of the Joint Task Force Mr Wade N. Smith was asked if the joint task force was aware of any operation in the areas where the police officers were spotted.
“Absolutely not. Who does surveillance with a vessel or vehicle clearly marked?” Mr Smith asked rhetorically, adding that "the attire and demeanor of the officers suggest that this is not surveillance."
‘Legitimate operation’- CoP Collins
Commissioner of Police and UK national Mark Collins has; however, defended his officers, saying it was a legitimate operation of familiarising colleagues new to the Virgin Islands.
“I can assure you this wasn’t a social event. It was a planned familiarisation visit for some colleagues new on Island. And I am very happy and confident about this operation,” Mr Collins told our newsroom.
The incident has raised the burning question of who is holding accountable the RVIPF, which is under the Governor’s Office and who is holding the Governor’s Office accountable.
‘Blatant misuse’ of police boat?
Some on social media have labelled the incident as a blatant misuse of police boat for unofficial business.
“Gov Rankin and Comm Collins, no accountability for you of course. The big drive to bring UK police Officers here is clearly seen… Local Police Commanders and Mgt, why are we allowing this to happen? In all the years, and it's been many, never seen the local police force using official Police boats for a day trip out with family & friends.
“The support of Gov Rankin and Comm Collins of the COI was overwhelming without having any clue of the people, culture & history of the BVI. Despite it being said by the former Gov that the vast majority of the BVI population are good, decent people, still burden us down with a COI based on gossip and heresay. What did the former Gov say, trustworthy sources, how exactly is that determined when making allegations based on gossip and rumour versus fact. This video is fact,” one person commented on social media.
65 Responses to “UK police recruits slammed for allegedly misusing police boat for bar hopping”
Using tax payers money to bar hop? Where is the governor and the coi?
The w***** boys getting away with all kind of things
..no b****** senior police officers would have gotten away with something like that.
The new **m88*** is only interested in disciplining locals and putting all locals who seem wealthy in jail.
Mr. Commissioner, this sounds like a blatant lie on your behalf to the public. You should stand by the empty words of what you speak. INTEGRITY. If it was a familiarization operation as you stated why is it that all the other nationals in the force do not get this same familiarizing as your UK recruits in their beach attires and drinking.
Not just arrive and take the government boat which should be used to fight crime. Not to possibly commit one of your own.
What if someone got highly intoxicated and fell over board and died.
The fact is it was a bad decision to just get up and use the government vehicle that is use to fight crime to use as a party vessel
though I have to say......seen pkenty of officers on duty..in uniform at willy t having fun......just sayin.
When locals do it is corruption when Uk cops do it is an operation
Sit down and give yourself a shake.
The day may come when one of these officers save you or a family members life.
I would personally like to welcome the new officers to the territory and look forward to their training and input.
But Because they from the Uk it’s ok smh
depending on who u is(remember only our people involved with trafficking???!!!!
good looking out and thanks for the exposure but the commissioner might brand it an uncover operation
double standard
nothing new( those we put in public office says nothing about certain happening in this society
run talk dat
there is a buffer between the local & caribbean members of the force(uk personnel)
police to police the blacks guys but who peeing @ the europeans especially the Probability of unlawful conduct.....
What do you call that?
Wade Smith we thank you for standing up for justice