Graphic police video casts VI as plagued by crime, drugs; CoP says video ‘incomplete’
The controversial video has been created by ITV, a British media company.
‘Police in Paradise’
The graphic video includes interviews with several police officers, including Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police Jacqueline E. Vanterpool,who says ‘Nature’s Little Secrets’ does have issues of crime such as drugs and theft and Commissioner of Police (CoP) Mark Collins, who comments that “it constantly surprises me because you go from being an absolute paradise to being in muck and bullets.”
Following Mr Collins' comments is graphic video footage of the fatal shooting of Deverson Williams, who was gunned down in Fish Bay on March 16, 2021.
Mr Williams’ vehicle is seen being riddled with bullets.
“I don’t think you can see that any place else in the world,” Mr Collins erroneously states.
Footage is also shown of high-speed chases on the sea, drug seizures and police making arrests.
Later in the disturbing video, Mr Collins comments that he has seen some 5 or 6 homicides in the space of 10 months, since he has been at the helm of the RVIPF.
He also spoke about drug seizures and the video highlighted that there was a ‘Largest seizure in BVI history’.
Meanwhile, Vanterpool shares that she always wanted to be a police officer and became enthusiastic about joining the force after watching television shows like Charlie’s Angels and TJ Hooker.
“Drug trafficking is a major major challenge within the BVI,” Vanterpool states.
Inspector Saif Kaddoura, who stated in the video he is originally from Lebanon, said the VI has become “a safe haven for drug trafficking” due to its open waters and proximity to nearby islands.
‘Shock & disgusted’- Cindy Rosan
Among those who have reacted to the video is local advocate Rosemary Cindy Rosan, who said: I’m trying to have all the patience in the world to maneuver where we are in the BVI right now. Where did this video originate? I fail to believe that this was released by the RVIPF. Is there an attack on the Virgin Islands by the UK? Because this falls under their remit. Are they trying to destroy us? Might I add that major drug busts in the BVI over the past 2-3 years, were Members of the RVIPF. How convenient to leave that out. I am absolutely shocked and disgusted by the release of this video. What is it meant to accomplish?!
“Whoever came up with this, and released it, is a jack@$$. And I’m unapologetic,” Rosan stated.
Public reacts
Edju En Ka stated: “This not the job of a jack@$$. This is a hatchet job. Who would want to portray the Virgin Islands as a lawless drug trafficking territory?”
Marlene Gumbs wrote: “After watching this video I ain’t coming to the BVI to visit. You guys going to do this in the heart of festival time. This is so sad.:
Dornelle Hazel reacted: Name a tourist destination country that doesn’t have drug trafficking and murders ???? and tourists stop going to because of these crimes or acts?? BVI will remain beautiful and one of the safest place in the world where anyone can still walk free and visit all areas without being robbed or killed in 2022!! So this video means nothing and will only attract more drug dealers.”
‘Video was intended to be a tool’ for recruitment- CoP
CoP Collins has since released a statement on the video.
He said the “incomplete video” entitled ‘Police in Paradise’ which is now in circulation was intended to be a tool for recruiting officers from the Caribbean and the UK, and aimed at capturing the benefits and challenges of policing in the VI.
Collins continued that while permission was sought in advance from the relevant authorities specifically for the intended purpose, this raw footage in circulation lacked an introduction and a conclusion and was never intended for public consumption.
“I received the video in its incomplete form and circulated it to a small group of officers within the Force to receive feedback to help with its completion. None of the violence, drug transshipments or the seizures in this video would ever be appropriate to be viewed by the public.”
‘I offer apologies’- CoP Collins
Collins continued that he is “saddened by the actions taken to bring me and the Force into disgrace.”
The CoP ended with an apology to the VI.
“I am even more disheartened that the people of this Territory have to endure additional distress and trauma in this already very difficult time.
“I offer apologies on my behalf and that of the Royal Virgin Police Force.”
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71 Responses to “Graphic police video casts VI as plagued by crime, drugs; CoP says video ‘incomplete’”
He telling lies...they trying to flood the bvi with white Uk officers people wake up fast
or are you just racist ?
Don't know the target of your criticisms bu hilarious is an under statememt
Thanks for the humor ! I needed that!
I would say very Tasteless!
Are they from UK? I don’t think so..
Collins is who brought himself and the Force into disgrace because this video could have never happened without his blessings. Video footage of the shooting of Deverson Williams in Fish Bay was collected by the Police Investigators for evidentiary purposes. Why would he sanction its release in such a vulgar and insensitive fashion and why would he disclose it to the film makers for this purpose. The Deverson Williams investigation is live and still ongoing and it is mindboggling the lack of care and complete disregard for the grieving families by the COP, regardless of his views of the antecedents of the victim. If the victim of that shooting incident was a UK national or even a Caucasian I guarantee you he would have never released that footage.
AND TO SEE LOCAL POLICE OFFICERS WHO ASPIRE FOR HIGHER OFFICE ENGAGING IN THIS TOMFOOLERY.
Ayo ! Call for this man to be fired or he should do the honorable thing and resign immediately. But he have no such honor or integrity. He is the most disgusting COP ever. Rac**t to the core. I was no fan of Mathew but I have to admit Mathew is little more decent than this rac**t, cor****t , unprofessional reject from the UK
M
What next?????????
Offer us your resignation and be gone. Disgraceful police you are. It that really a way to try recruit decent people to do policing ? Another big fat lie as the lie with UK police them at saba Rock drinking and having a fun day out using the police boat as there means of transportation. Remember what this lying man say they were doing. Familiarize themselves.
TRUST ? COMMON SENSE IDNICATE , THAT WOULD BE LIKE TELLING THE DRUG DEALERS ( WE WILL BE VIDEO TAPING YOUR NEXT DRUG DEAL ????
This clearly shows why a review and investigation into the police force should commence at once, there are too many problems to rectify. If custom and immigration is being investigated why not the police, too many incidents have been occurring in recent times. The Cop should also resigned as well, this is a grave cock up on his watch.
Also the police force is already 90% expats and the remaining Locals most are due for retirement. So the emphasis on recruitment should be on the people who live here regardless of nationality. The recruits from outside I believe is the main problem for most of the organisation problems. I think its time the police do more with less and come up with inventive ways to police these islands.
If they can betray you as their Chief-in-command, then this stands as a forewarning to the general public that confidentiality is not respected. No trust breeds doubt... and that is a dangerous!
the commissioner of police somehow cant find time to update the community on the issues of the many unsolved murders: Commissioner can not find time to update the community on the issues of what he is doing to reduce gun crimes: the commissioner can not find time to tell the community about what he and the governor plan are for border security
but have time to be acting on video belittling the black peoples who calls this place home
CoP Mark Collins have issued an apology for the premature release of the video, a mea culpa of sorts. But was this an unforced error or more a deliberate action, for the CoP know that the RVIPF leak like sieve. The RVIPF falls under the purview of Governor John Rankin, so he was he aware of and approve of the release and if no why not? Is there a coordinated plan to sink the BVI to support the derived plan of action? Do these people give a rat’s @## about the BVI? Is this a devious scheme to tarnish the image of Black leaders leading a majority Black territory to support their false inferiority belief?
They should do three more videos like that
Evil people.
lets talk about what we really need our pay to rise, light bill need looking into cause mind give me a heachace and i live alone. food price lord i gonna soon eat bush. i feel for person with more then one kid.
You does see England recruiting police this way?
The w*** boys must go
Policing is a dangerous job, but for the Virgin Islands it's not guns and bullets 24/7 with muck and bullets after a nice walk on the beach. (That show is probably put on for the commissioner's benefit and it is not divulged to the public).
A list of all the liquors sold it the VI would have done the recruitment trick!