David Morris takes another aim at media
Speaking on the CBN Channel 51 television show Real Talk, hosted by Karia Christopher on December 12, 2012, Mr Morris also said he runs an open door policy at the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF).
The Acting Commissioner was at the time commenting on the lawsuit filed by two officers of the RVIPF against him and the Attorney General on the alleged unlawful delegation of powers regulation by Governor Boyd McCleary.
Ms Christopher had asked Mr Morris whether the RVIPF had made the public aware of the regulation by the Governor to delegate the powers of promotion, discipline and transfer of officers, which belonged to the Police Service Commission under the Virgin Islands Constitution, to the Office of the Police Commissioner. Morris claimed that the police issued a press release on it.
He also said that the RVIPF could not regulate what the media says or prints.
In the same breath, Mr Morris said the officers in the force could not be disgruntled since they did not come to him disgruntled and expressed surprised that the media have been suggesting that police in the RVIPF are aggrieved.
“So it does upset me and it does sometimes cause me to be quite annoyed with the media here in the BVI cause I feel sometimes they are very irresponsible in terms of their reporting and sometimes the pictures they produce...,” Mr Morris was stating before he was interrupted by Ms Christopher who stated that certain ‘controversial’ content of news media was a worldwide issue and not unique to the Virgin Islands.
In May 9, 2011, an article entitled ‘who is in charge of the RVIPF, is the Deputy too powerful?’ some officers speaking to this news site have alleged that there might be subtle discrimination in the RVIPF, as in a few meetings, Deputy Commissioner Morris had allegedly said that he needs the United Kingdom Officers as the local police officers do not “have the skills and capabilities like his UK officers”.
One officer had further told Virgin Islands News Online that Morris was allegedly always pushing a Nigel Nivens, a UK officer who is the Senior Investigative Officer, and telling the other local officers of Nivens’ alleged police skills that no other local officers have to investigate crime. However, another police officer told this news site in the same article mentioned above, that when crime occurs at night ‘we never see Nigel but he is the SIO”.
Following the Virgin Islands News Online article, the Deputy Commissioner made an attempt to censor this news site by shutting us out of all press conferences held by the RVIPF, removing our name from press release circulars including the reporters personal E-mail addresses and disallowing any senior officer from speaking to this news site on matters of public information.
Morris’ unprofessional, illegal and unconstitutional act was met with outrage from most in the legal and professional class, however, he has since lifted the ban without this news site having to seek remedy and intervention in the courts.
29 Responses to “David Morris takes another aim at media”
he white and playing smart saying he black to cool us down ha ha too tricksy go going gone bam bam
Vino:Thanks for allowing persons to express themselves on the issue at hand;which is"This Breaking news".Today,sunday 16th December,2012,is the 3rd sunday of advent,according to the doctrine and teachings of the catholic church,and today at church,I received the sacrament of the Holy Eucharistic[Bread to represent the body of christ and wine to represent the blood of christ]from our bishop-gabriel malzaire.When srvice was ended,The bishop said"Go in peace and serve the lord".I left the church with my mom and other family members,and we left in peace with no hatred and vexatiousness against any child of god in this world. we live in societies where those in high authority want to break the law,and believe that they should not be exposed in the media.The legal team is not in public office,so legal team is not accountable to the public:But David Morris must be held accountable for his actions and statements["calling people undesirables"] in public!What is discrimination under the V.I Constitution?Hmm,let us read the constitution:
Section 26 of the V.I Constitution [Protection from discrimination] States "(1) In this section,the expression-(a)[discrimination] means affording different treatment to different persons on any ground such as sex,race,colour[of skin] language,religion,political or other opinion,national,ethic or social origin,association with a national minority,property,family relations,economic status,disability,age,birth,sexual orientation,marital or other status" and sub-section (b) states"[public authority] means any authority,body or company or association in which the Government of the Virgin Islands has an interest and which performs a public function or duty".So according to the V.I Constitution-section 26(b) David Morris is a person of [Public Authority].So; Did Morris discriminate against VINO? Yes,he did,so then,he violated VINO'S Constitutional rights!He treated VINO differently from other news media,in CONTRAVENTION of section 26(1)(a) of the Constitution!!He does the same discrimination thing in the police force??.Example: UK-born officers are immediately promoted to ranks of sgt,inspector and chief inspector,upon their first appointment in the BVI-police force.But BVI/Caribbean officers,when they join the force,they are placed on 3-years probation,under section 12(1)(2) of the police Act.After 3 years probation,the law directs the COP,to Confirm the BVI/Caribbean officer to the substantive rank of Constable.[That is the law!] But Right now,there are about 5 BVI/Caribbean officers whom Morris has refused to appoint,dispite of the LAW directing the COP to Confirm/appoint! So UK-Born officers are appointed/promoted as soon as they join the force,but B...BVI/Caribbean officers,cannot be confirm/appointed under the LAW, in their own country; after 3 years probation! THAT is discrimination under section 26(1)(a) of the Constitution: But Morris will continue,because our elected representives,sit there and allow Morris to discriminate against our Bl..-BVI/Caribbean officers!!.Legal team will continue to blog on the Constitution,Law,and facts!Mommy said,"Jeff,don't call-down people and say bad things about people on blogs,just because they share a different views from you",I said "mom,the legal team don't blog on people,I blog on the Constitution!"
David,sit in class and read this:The Law-Police Act,Chapter 165,V.I laws made by V.I Parliament The law,states "Probationary appointment and termination of service,[section 12 (1) A constable SHALL be appointed on probation during the first 3 years of his service in the force and may,on the conclusion of the probationary period to the satisfaction of the commissioner,be confirmed in his appointment by the Governor acting on the advice of the Commissioner".
Sub-section(2) of section 12-Police Act, states "A Service of a constable on probation may be dispensed with by the Commissioner with approval of the Governor at any time during the perid of probation if the constable is not suitable to perform the duties of his office or if he is not likely to become an effecient and well-conducted member of the Force". Interpretation-What does that section say to the C.O.P and Governor?
The law is saying to Morris,and Governor ,and now the Police Service Commission,that after 3-years of probation,you either keep the officer,and appoint him under section 97(1) of the Constitution,or if he has shown that he will not be a good officer,you dispense him[dismiss]him under the said section 97(1)of the Constitution! But that can only be done within-3-years! Mr. Morris and Governor,Legal Team is saying to you,based on the LAW,you have no authority,to defer the appointment of a Bl@ck-BVI/Caribbean officer[who is servicing Her Majesty]For 5 years and more. Morris and Governor ;you MUST obey the LAWS of the Parliament of the BVI! You cannot do whatever you want,CONTRARY to BVI laws!
Equality Before the Law:Section 12 of the V.I Constitution
Section 12 of the V.I Constitution states "(1) Everyone is EQUAL Before the LAW and has the RIGHT to Equal protection and BENEFIT of the LAW":(sub-section 2 states) "Subject to such limitations as are prescribed by law,Equality includes the full and Equal ENJOYMENT of all RIGHTS and FREEDOMS". These are the written words of Her Majesty-The Queen,in section 12(1-2)of our V.I Constitition.Her Majesty,said we should be free? PHAROAH-FAYROW,Her Majesty said "Set my people FREE"! PHAROAH-FAYROW"Let my people Go"! David,according to the law;you are VIOLATING the Rights of Bl@ck BVI/Caribbean officers of Her Majesty's Polic Force! David,you must Obey Her Majesty's LAWS In THE BVI!
Legal Team call on david to sit his exam and pass by section 18 of the Police Act:Section 18 of the Police Act,Laws of the V.I states "Every member of the Force has ALL the Rights,Powers,Authorities,Privileges,and Immunities conferred on a member of the Force,by any LAW that is now in force in the Territory and likewise in respect of any LAW that comes into operation in the Territory upon the coming into operation of the LAW". The LAW is there to guide the COP and the Governor: UK officers or BVI/Caribbean officers must get-Same treatment under the LAW!
David Morris,I saw on TV earlier this year how UK Students protested on streets in London fighting for their RIGHTS!We saw people in the streets of UK protesting violently!! It is not because you realise that BVI People are kind,loving and peaceful,that you can treat some officers differently than others.Mr.Morris,OBEY BVI LAWS sir.
Since Governor Boyd McCleary,Unconstitutionally took his powers and the powers of the Po.S.C,under section 97(1) of the Constitution,and gave these powers-unlawfully to David Morris,it appears to me that David is on a lawless rampage to silence Freedom of the Press! What is Morris annoyed about?All kind of things were said on BBC news about police illegal phone-tapping-Police CORRUPTION in the UK:I never heard Morris say,that he ANNOYED with BBC for broadcasting police corruption in UK: Because people ENJOYING their bloggings on news site,under our Constitution;that annoying a Commissioner?.So you UPSET-COP?This is dangerous,to have a Commissioner who is UPSET at the Media!! We don't know what he might do to media personnel?
Based on the definition of "Civil Disobedience" I am calling on BVI for Civil Disobedince" Towards the Governor's UNLAWFULL "Police Service (Delegation of Powers) Regulations,2012,which gives Morris UNLAWFULL powers in the BVI,under the Police Act.The governor's self-made-document is NOT A LAW in the BVI,because it DID NOT go through BVI parliament under sections 71,76,&79 of the V.I Constitution. LEGAL TEAM is calling for CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE for that piece of paper,the governor put in Morris' hand!!Don't Obey it-it is NOT A LAW in the BVI!!
""All appeals concerning the decision of the Commissioner regarding appointments and discipline will be forwarded through the commissioner to the police service commission for recommendation to the governor"".De governor regulation en't make room for appeal but dis man now tellin us how we mus appeal..I crying...well sah me son.who write dem words.him saying if him make a decision against you and you decide to appeal him saying to appeal to him for him to see what you appealing against him so him will decide if your appeal must go forward.bvislanders jump high or low blog or no blog we finish in dis place under dese dictators we in trouble.bvi cry cry cry..hmmm wipe de tears from me eyes....me ah cry,,hmmm
Legal Team is a Coal-Pit-School graduate,with no law degree.He just playing lawyer;so don't listen to him,go and read the Constitution for yourself,to see if he quoting the law correctly!My interpretation of sections 91(9) and 96(2) are that,the Commissions must be independent with no interference by persons such as the COP,who admitted that he had discussions with the Po.S.C,about making PROMOTION policies etc.. in the Police Force! [Her Majesty-the Queen] directed the Po.S.C in section 97(1) of the V.I Constitution,that they can only ADVISE the Governor on appointments etc..The Constitution did NOT direct the Po.S.C,to join with David Morris to make policies,to operate the affairs of the Police Force.[Stop using the Po.S.C as excuse, David]Yet another Constitutional VIOLATION by ACTING COP DAVID MORRIS! lawlessness,lawlessness in High Places!
Note:When I called David a student,I meant no insult:A student is a person "Learning"at a learning institution[no matter your age] David is still learning BVI Laws.I am a student of law and David is also a student of law.We are learning BVI laws together.Good luck on your exams-David!