Fmr CoP's funeral snub of late Vernon E. Malone was disrespectful- Hon Turnbull
Hon Turnbull was at the time—April 8, 2025— making his contribution to the debate, during the continuation of the 3rd Sitting of the 2nd Session of the 5th House of Assembly( HoA), on the Review of Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Bodies in the British Virgin Islands Volume 2: A Roadmap for 2025 to 2035.
'And that was okay?'
Voicing his consternation over the absence of the former UK-appointed Commissioner of Police, Mark Collins, at Malone’s funeral, Hon Turnbull told the House, “This is a man who served from here… and when the man's funeral is, the sitting Commissioner of Police from the United Kingdom don’t show up, and he's there on island.”
Further qualifying his position, he quipped, “In my own country, Madam Speaker, in my country, and that was okay?”
The first local Commissioner of Police, Mr Malone, passed away on May 4, 2024, and was laid to rest on June 22, 2024, following an official funeral at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex.
The Opposition Member also recalled that when a UK national working in the RVIPF, Mr Paul A. France, lost his life after going overboard in his vehicle at Waterfront Drive in October 2023, "every man, platoon and all, they were almost in the water looking to go dive for him. But, Madam Speaker, this is one of us who served. You don't got that kind of respect?"
Hon Turnbull’s comments come as legislators and members of the public have expressed concern about the lack of connection the Commissioner of Police and other high-level appointees from the United Kingdom often have with the community and even the local police officers.
It is also one of the reasons there has been growing public support for local Jacqueline E. Vanterpool to be confirmed to the post of Commissioner of Police.
'Gun in a Fishbowl'
Beyond the funeral snub, Hon Turnbull’s contribution also addressed what he saw as a dangerous power grab that had been embedded in Recommendation 1 of the Commission of Inquiry (COI)—a recommendation, he noted, that would have centralised absolute control under the UK Governor by rolling back authority from the Premier and his ministers.
“You’re going to tell me… the Premier… should roll it back and give it to the Governor; Suspend our Constitution… So one man is in charge of everything?”
Hon Turnbull, as such, likened the proposed power structure to a “gun in a fishbowl,” arguing bluntly that perhaps it's a situation where “...the people that you need to put there don't look like you; They're not like us… They don't care to understand.”
The Law Enforcement Review Report, prepared by a UK national, now recommends that certain responsibilities already devolved to local government be given to the governor. This includes HM Customs, Immigration Department, and even the Financial Investigation Agency.
Hon Turnbull was adamant, “We can't keep accepting these things; The more we brush them under the rug, the bigger and bolder they get,” he lamented, referring to what he sees as the creeping normalisation of disrespect and disempowerment towards the people of the Virgin Islands by the United Kingdom.
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17 Responses to “Fmr CoP's funeral snub of late Vernon E. Malone was disrespectful- Hon Turnbull”
However, good partnership result in a win/win, not I do what I want, but you do as I say. That type of behaviors is a bullying, and suppemressive tactics, that' must not be accepted as a good partnership principle no where on this earth.
A question, Hon. Melvin M. Turnbull, do local government leaders behaviors differ in favor of the people of the B.V.I, and how???????.
In behalf of all the people of the B.V.I, We await from you, and honest respond. shortly on VINO.
May God our Creator continue blessing us all with undeserved grace favors, this day, and in the future.
DS Paul France was employed by the BVI Government and still no death in service grant has been paid to the family. And no one from the HoA attended to pay their respects to him
weird movements guys ngl
stop act like children
but dw we still support you guys in this endeavor
There is a formal procedure to follow when making changes to the Constitution. Unfortunately, our governments seem to fear the UK and are unwilling to challenge any directives imposed upon them.
Any imposition imposed on us which are not in line with our Constitution should be subjected to the (UN) scrutiny to get their opinion or backing. If they can't help at the lease it will be recorded.