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‘We have not closed any police stations’- CoP Collins

- but says he prefers to have officers in the communities rather than sitting behind a desk
In response to reports that the Cane Garden Bay Police Station is closed to the public, Commissioner of Police Mark Collins has said it is open every day of the week, Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, 'or 9 to 5.' Photo: VINO/File
Commissioner of Police Mark Collins has said no police stations in the Virgin Islands have been closed. Photo: VINO
Commissioner of Police Mark Collins has said no police stations in the Virgin Islands have been closed. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- “Let me be very clear, we have not closed any police stations,” Commissioner of Police Mark Collins said when a reporter at a press conference on July 20, 2023, said to him there are concerns in the community about the closure of police stations.

Mr Collins responded that he read last week about some concerns about the police station in Cane Garden Bay being closed.

CGB Police station ‘open every day of the week’- CoP Collins

He said it actually reminded him about when he went to Standing Finance [Committee] back in 2021, and a Minister held him to account for Cane Garden Bay Police Station not being open, and within a week it was open.

He said Cane Garden Bay is open every day of the week, Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, “or 9 to 5.”

Mr Collins said on occasions; however, the police station door is closed and the reason is because the officers are out walking in the community and “talking to people and engaging.”

“And I have this conversation regularly at community meetings, I could put a police officer behind a desk at the police station and leave him there for 8 hours. They will probably see three or four people asking for directions, asking for guidance.”

Mr Collins said he prefers to put an officer in the community where they can engage with 3 or 4 hundred people on a beach in Cane Garden Bay when the cruise ships are in “or things like that.”

He said there is a need for balance, to ensure the police are there when people need them.

Officers have to go to RT Police station to be briefed & debriefed!

“So we haven’t closed police stations. What I have done is, I have removed response officers to be briefed at their morning shifts, afternoon shifts, and night shifts at Road Town Police Station.

“So, they are all properly briefed and debriefed and they know about where the crime hotspots are and they know what the topic of the day is and where the resources need to go. They are then deployed across the territory.”

CoP Collins also said community policing continues to operate out of the East End, West End and Cane Garden Bay [police stations] on a full-time basis.

42 Responses to “‘We have not closed any police stations’- CoP Collins”

  • Hmm (23/07/2023, 13:47) Like (35) Dislike (0) Reply
    police stations have to be opened 24/7
    • @hmm (23/07/2023, 21:16) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
      This man have us for a set of fools. I told you about these UK people in high office. They think they are smarter than anyone else and shape language to always get out of the mess they are in and make it seem as the people of the BVI are the liars and no good ones. I CANNOT BELIEVE WHAT THIS MAN IS SAYING!!!!
      • @hmm (24/07/2023, 05:46) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
        He think we are sleeping! Why would people keep complaining about the presence of Police Officers throughout the Territory when there is so much employed? And for him to employ that Officers are out and about talking with people when cruise ship in, is saying the lives of those living in the Territory does not need Police presence. Come on Mr. COP, get your words and act together. Enough of the mumbo-jumbo, we are all not that naive nor easily undermined.
    • To hmm (23/07/2023, 21:46) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      The BVI needs to understand that if someone is doing a job with the right intentions to do right by the people then these issues would be non issues. This man is telling the people what they are saying is not factual. He is saying what the people observe daily is not so. Can you beloeve this? CLEARLY he is carrying out a mission given to him by the UK & Governor so he really doesn't care about our concerns and he has an attitude when persons do not agree with anything he is doing. The Governor is the same way. This is one of many issues where their colonial mentality is being exposed. Their true self is coming out more and more.
  • Girl Friday (23/07/2023, 13:48) Like (26) Dislike (0) Reply
    This must be a joke. The most unlike time police is needed is Mon-Fri 8:00-5:00. Crimes are happening all night and weekends. Why is the police station closed when it is most needed ?
    In town big sign POLICE HEADQUARTERS. On several occasions I observed tourists going to the police headquarters only to see it it locked!
  • Mitch (23/07/2023, 13:48) Like (10) Dislike (10) Reply
    The Commissioner is doing a great job Mitch TURNBULL likewise you as our representative. I don't see any crime happening inside the police station RIGHT LET THEM GO OUT AND WALK ABOUT THEY MAY SEE SOMETTHING
    • @Mitch (23/07/2023, 21:20) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply

      The Commissioner is not doing a great job and is not being truthful. He is concern about drug burst and that's good but all Commissioners have done drug burst but this one is mainly interested in that for the wrong reasons. There is a man who is busy using that and quietly going through everyone's phone calls and accounts in bank to build a case to destroy the people to aid in the bigger plan the Governor and the UK have to try to take over using these hogh handed actions as justification. This man is dangerous.

    • @Mitch (26/07/2023, 13:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      U a cop and the crime with the boat burn in the police station u didn't c that one coming.
  • 911 (23/07/2023, 13:56) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    where the police Sir !!!!!
    • To 911 (23/07/2023, 21:32) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
      Most who dealt with this man and the Governor have learn not to trust a word which comes out of their mouth. They do not have any good mind or heart for the people of the BVI.
  • Onion juice (23/07/2023, 14:22) Like (17) Dislike (2) Reply
    He is lying just like Collins smh
  • 1st district original (23/07/2023, 14:38) Like (21) Dislike (0) Reply
    WHAT A MOUTH FULL AH LIES, CONFUSION AND MISTRUSTED INFORMATION. SINCE WHEN POLICE DUTY IS 9 TO 5. THATS WHAT DEM DOES DO IN LONDON? REPORR TO DUTY AT HEAD QUARTERS TO BE DISPERSED TO STATIONS! BACKWARDS EVER!!!
  • Blame Politicians.. (23/07/2023, 15:25) Like (24) Dislike (4) Reply
    We had all our stations fully man in the 90s with less than 200 police, now they have over 300 eating up all of our treasury and we having allocation Issues. When ever I hear anyone say police short staff it angers me... They are over staffed but very badly managed.. Ain no reasons why any Police station should be closed or under staffed...I would strongly suggest to Legco put a Freeze on hiring for Police..They have more than enough.. Let them learn to manage..
    • @Blame Politicians.. (23/07/2023, 21:35) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
      You are spot on except the full blame goes to who has responsibility of the police force which is the Governor. I told you all every subject under his is a failure but he can judge everyone else but no one can judge him. This is why independence is the only way forward.
  • Mustang (23/07/2023, 15:26) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    Does crime take a break at 4 or 5 pm? The comish is playing on words. It is not that some police stations are closed; it is as if they are operating like business office, not like a police station. Most other government offices can operate from 9-5 or 8-5. But these times are not practical for police station which should be open 24/7. The role of the police force is to serve and protect. That mission extends 24/7/365, the sidewalks don’t roll at sunset, criminals shutdown until the police station open, citizens fear and stress don’t subside at sunset, etc. During the 1968 Noel Lloyd and PAM uprising and take over of the Road Town Police Station, the police was alleged asleep. What an embarrassing moment for the police but at least the station was open though the police was asleep. Was the station open 24 hours before? What change to cause them to now open 8 hours? Did criminals and citizens need go on holiday? Is the Comish out of his depth? Does the Comish see this as his opportunity to roll out some of his fantasy theories? Is this another vacation sojourn for the Comish before winging back to the UK?
    • @Mustang (23/07/2023, 19:10) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
      @Mustang, if the Comish were a local or other Black from the region, the Governor would dictate that the stations be manned 24 hours, even if he had to exercised his reserve power to get more funding to make it happened. But because it is one of his boys, all is well;it is only the safety and personal well being of some black people in a far flung tiny OT. Birds of a weather flock together.
  • (23/07/2023, 16:35) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Big fat lie and he knows it
  • police office (23/07/2023, 17:13) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    Them running those stations like stores 9 to 5
    • @police office (23/07/2023, 21:38) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      I agree. This man has insulted the intelligence of the people of the BVI. He is one of the worse managers I have ever seen. If he is not truthful about this then imagine what else he is fooling us about. He and the Governor have a different agenda about crime and the BVI than the majority of the people of the BVI and time will expose them.
  • BREAKING NEWS (23/07/2023, 17:53) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    if locals were in charge it would have been more drama because police station have to be open 24 hours daily. We now more police all manner of gun squad
  • LIES (23/07/2023, 18:03) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    If he has enough officers to be engaging 300 or 400 people on a beach (which is doubtful), then he has enough to leave at least 1 or 2 at the station.



  • lol (23/07/2023, 18:58) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    This should not even be a topoc that is being discuss at this time in the life of the BVIs.
    You see,people treat you how you allow them to do.
    Now if you can not have access to an office ( Police) twenty four hours ( 24hrs) a day consider it closed.

    Mr Vernon Malone began opening up the Police force over 20 years ago and the moomoo come closing Police station at 5pm and the residence of East and West are just sitting there and having Mark Collins taking you all for FOOLS.
    Come on people.

    Where are the two DCPs and two Suprintendants. Come on. Stop being so selfish. Stop thinking about Rank and think some more about these Beautiful Virgin Islands.

    Every time a Commissioner comes to the BVIs the Police Force goes 3 to 5 years backwards.
    This is so because they Come with their own agenda and not with the interest of the force.

    BVIs stand up or is it that,you all are for this because it gives the criminals even more time to do what they want.
    Mark Collins,again any time a Police Station is not accesible 24 hrs consider it closed.
    Are you as Commissioner and your senior management Team not interested in the time it takes to respond to an incident.

    So,are you looking at the People of the BVIS and telling them,, that it will take the same time from Road Town to Carrot Bay as it would take from ftom West End Police Station to Carrot Bay so hence there is no need to have officers there 24/7.
    Come on People. Stop putting your heads in the sand like ostrics. Too late shall be your cry.

    These men are here to have a good time. This is your home. So please take care of it.
  • People (23/07/2023, 21:14) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    This man is telling a bold face lie. This is why I can never trust these UK Officials. They always have us for a$@
  • people wake up (23/07/2023, 21:25) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Governor is going to back up his UK appointed Commissioner of Police even when caught being challenged with the truth. If it was a local or Caribbean person as Commissioner the Governor who is over the police, would have done come out publicly demanding the police stations be opened 24hrs 7dys a week. They are in the plot together against the people of the BVI so they will always try to make their worms and shortcomings look right. PEOPLE WAKE UP! WE ARE BEING SETUP!
  • imagine (23/07/2023, 21:27) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Imagine if this was a subject under the elected officials. The Governor and the same UK Commissioner would have been on their case to do better & get the police stations opened NOW. What a thing. Once it is UK it always OK.
  • My Take (23/07/2023, 21:27) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    This issue does not fit the Governor nor his narrative so it is not a big deal to them.
  • note (23/07/2023, 21:30) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    He said we have not closed any police stations meaning they are opened but he did not say for how long and when. The same way he answered this vexing question tells you the behind the back deceit he and the Governor & UK Officials operate under. They have some of you fooled but the majority are now seeing through them.
  • smh (23/07/2023, 21:38) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    WHAT A POOR MANAGER.
  • Wow oh Wow (23/07/2023, 21:41) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    I have heard it all now. He could have practice something better to try to fool the public than the foolishness he said. What about zoom meetings so they do not have to leave the two stations? What about deploying more officers at each station so the police station does do not have to be closed. No where in the world does anyone with sense close a police station.
  • Seasalt (23/07/2023, 23:10) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    It took quite some time for society to observe the degradation this man supported by the WDCP by default has done to this organization. The worst this territory has ever been when it comes to policing the communities. Your own is who helped him bring it to this point. Go check it out yourselves but knowing the tripple edge blade, you ask her and you will get sliced from one of the tripple edges.
  • Worried citizen (24/07/2023, 00:09) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    As from a person who has been placed on bail. The West end station opens when it feels like yet I can hear drug boats running all night. I wonder if we need to place the finances in a more sensible way.
  • @SeaSalt (24/07/2023, 07:20) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    You have hit the nail on the head. When people are only about themselves they support nonsense to be elevated. Have the whole organization operating like we are in the 70s or 80s instead of a 21st century organization. We very own helped to destroy the organization.
  • Hmm (24/07/2023, 09:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is nonsense every police station in the territory should be opened all day and night plus have a vehicle, no wonder people are saying when you go east end station there is no police there. there should also be constant patrol day and night. some countries have specific traffic police, they need that here too. those traffic police need to stop persons from blocking up parking especially in town for private business and stop drivers from parking directly on the highway obstructing the free flow of traffic. if they are doing patrol they should the noise nuisance vehicles and bikes with altered mufflers.
  • LCS (24/07/2023, 12:14) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Shifts rotation should be considered to have all police stations open 24 hrs. Work them out way ahead so officers can plan accordingly to day or night shift. Once a month, some would work night shift 2 or three days a week. It is very easy to program with a simple computer and repeat systematically. Stations rotation should also be considered to avoid all sorts of problem and they would all get familiarise with the communities.
  • HEH (24/07/2023, 16:11) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    We say legalize cannabis and stop the oppression stop the criminalization of the community for no valid scientific reason. A million dislikes.

    This guy comes and serves up tales on a plate as to why the station can not be opened 24/7, why we can not operate police stations as residents and locals wish? We slurp it down. Up to yet the governor can give no reason or assurance to the public on the progress of assenting a cannabis bill. We slurp it down.

    How can we have police stations open 24/7 for the people when these UK installed authorities are busy oppressing the people to their liking.... their goal does not align with actual community protection as prohibition actively creates criminals!

    Continued lunacy why 300+ police can not man a station for public walk in contact 24/7 when a store with 8 employees can do it. For some of them its a job and vacation before retiring, a stepping stone to their next civil appointment.
  • WELL MAH BOI (24/07/2023, 18:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    BLONDIE IS SURE ENJOYING HIMSELF , WRITING AND DOING ALMOST ALL THE BLOGGINGS TO HIS OWN ARTICLES , AND THEN BLOGGING TO THE SH*T THAT HE ALREADY BLOGGED , AND HE THINKS THAT HE IS THE GREATEST KID ON THE BLOCK , CHILD , A MIND IS A TERRIBLE THING TO WASTE , GO SIDUNG , YO SOUND LIKE A BROKEN RECORD / SAME SH*T DIFFERENT DAY
  • Rick (24/07/2023, 21:09) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    The commissioner lies to f****** much i was in Cane Garden Bay today July 24 2023 and the police station was closed all day
  • Accountant (24/07/2023, 21:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Commish if the police station is opened 8AM-4PM or 9AM-5PM, how do you describe the hours of 4PM-8AM and 5PM-9AM
  • he must be crazy (24/07/2023, 23:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    If u call CGB station late at night for anything, u get no answer! you have to call town to get an officer to assist you. How is that right???


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