Morris yet to make up mind about applying for C.O.P. post!
Much attention is being paid to that position as it is the opinion of many, including many senior ranks within the RVIPF, that the post could be filled by a local or even a Belonger. For many years local qualified police officers have been overlooked in the RVIPF in favour of other Caribbean nationals and United Kingdom officers. Mr Morris, a UK contract officer, is expected to be named as Police Commissioner since he allegedly has the strong backing of the United Kingdom appointed Governor William B. McCleary- a close ally and friend.
Mr Morris appeared on ZROD 103.7 FM’s Morning Ride Show on February 20, 2013 and was asked by host DJ Paul ‘Gadeithz’ Peart if he believed the post of Commissioner of Police could be filled by a local. Mr Morris reminded Mr Peart that the post of Commissioner of Police is not actually vacant since Mr Reynell Frazer is on pre-retirement leave and is technically still the Police Commissioner and doesn’t retire until June 30, 2013.
“Well in terms of protocol, because obviously my contract as Deputy Commissioner would finish on the 31st of May, so come the 31st of May the post of Deputy Commissioner would become vacant....What will happen with both posts [is that] the Police Service Commission will be responsible for advertising both posts of Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner and those who meet the criteria could apply....”
At this point Mr Peart interjected with the questions “Do you wish to fill that post? Are you applying?” Mr Morris replied, “I haven’t made up my mind.”
The Acting Police Commissioner of the RVIPF is currently taking home a base salary of $90,084.00 per annum at Government salary grade 18, step 11. In addition to the base salary, the contract UK officer racks up telephone allowance of $1,296.00, entertainment at $5, 184.00, inducement of $37,000 and national security of $7,500.00 in allowances.
To add to the package, the Acting Police Commissioner also receives a travel allowance totaling $3, 600 per year. Therefore, the total package is some one hundred and forty four thousand, six hundred and sixty four dollars ($144,664.00) per year, a package that is more than all current sitting Permanent Secretaries, the Solicitor General, Executive Director of the BVI International Finance Centre, and the Auditor General, according to information obtained by this news site.
The information on Mr. Morris’ salary and allowances was obtained via a question posed to Premier Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith from third district representative Hon. Julian Fraser RA at the first session of the first sitting of the second session of the second House of Assembly held on Monday September 3, 2012. It was also stated then that there are 10 police officers from the UK on contract paid for by tax payers’ money. However, out of the 10, four are said to be doing sensitive work so their identities could not be revealed to the public, according to Dr. Smith.
Relationship with Governor
It has been noted by many and seen in the actions taken by Governor McClearey that there is a very close relationship between Mr McClearey and Mr Morris. One of the obvious, and very controversial, is the Governor’s alleged unconstitutional delegation of powers to Mr Morris, which gives him the authority to appoint, discipline and promote- powers that were vested in the Police Service Commission according to Constitution.
It is vital to note that retired Police Commissioner Reynell Frazer was never given these powers under this same governor.
This decision has since seen two police officers, Mr Leonard Fahie of Lambert Estate and Mr Hendrickson Williams of Spooner's Estate, filing a challenge in the High Court to contest that the Governor has no power to make a delegation of power regulation, which now gives the Acting Police Commissioner more power than the Governor and the Police Service Commission.
But according to Mr Morris, his relationship with Governor McClearey is on a professional basis and they hardly ever socialise. “At the end of the day people have to go back to the constitution. The Governor has direct responsibility for security and safety of the Territory and therefore he has responsibility for the Police. As the Acting Commissioner, I report to the Governor. I don’t have social drinks with the Governor, I don’t sort of say to the Governor let’s meet me at this bar or whatever,” Mr Morris said on the Morning Ride Show.
“In terms of the nature of the job, I speak to him a lot about issues and socially the only time I socialise with him is at official functions at Government House and when we see each other we talk about work.”
Mr Morris also said he also socialises with the Governor at the squash club since they both play that game. ‘I have never played the Governor at squash...”
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43 Responses to “Morris yet to make up mind about applying for C.O.P. post!”
What we need is a balance between qualified BVIslanders and other qualified nationals from outside regardless of their origin. Notice I said qualified. Policing has evolved and is now considered to be a science. I personally know many BVIslanders in the force and several who have since retired and I can tell you with a high degree of certainty that very few of them were truly committed to the profession.
Now to address the issue of having a BVIslander as COP. I can tell you that at this moment there are no qualified BVIslanders currently serving in the Police Force that could take over as Commissioner once Mr. Fraser pre-retirement leave ends. While a college degree is important, the truth of the matter is that a degree in no way means that the individual possessing that degree will be able to perform the functions of Commissioner. First of all you must be able to command the respect of your management team as well as from members of the entire organization. Likewise, you must have excellent verbal and written communication skills and be polished all around. In other words you must look the part as well as be able to play the part. Apart from Mr. Alwin James who is the closest thing to a born BVIslander currently serving is the only senior officer in the organization who comes close to having what it takes to fill the post of Commissioner.
People let us be reasonable and think abiout this seriously. I for one hope that Mr. Morris isw appointed to the post. If not, a suitable candidate should be recruited from overseas providing they have the revelent experience and qualifications. At the end of the day it's not about who is in the post or where he or she is from. It is about that person's ability to get the job done.
As a member of the public, I feel I deserve to be able to live without the constant fear of crime and having the right individual to head the police force could have either a positive or negative impact on crime in the twerritory.
I have watched and I have listened to all of the negative publicity the force has been subjected to and in my view it's damaging to the organization and the moral of the officers, and could have a negative affect on crime if it continues.
Go away David...just go away.
While I support our locals and wish that they could be appointed to head every government department or government body, the truth is that there are certain areas where they lack the necessary qualifications and experience, and the police force is one of them. We must remember that the BVI is a close knit community and I think it would be a bad idea to have an all BVIslanders police force and expect the officers to perform their duty without fear or intimidation. Chances are that if all of the police officers were locals many of them could fall prey to corruption and would probably be turning a blind eye to criminal activity, especially those committed by their friends or relatives.
What we need is a balance approach to the hiring practices by the department which perhaps copould be more transparent. However, at the end of the day we need a good mix of qualified BVIslanders and other qualified nationals from outside the territory regardless of their origin. Notice I said qualified and I said so because policing has evolved and is continuing to do so. I would go as far as saying that it is now a science. I personally know many BVIslanders in the force and several who have since retired and I can tell you with a high degree of certainty that very few of them are and for those who have retired were truly committed to the profession.
Now to address the issue of having a BVIslander as COP. I can tell you that at this moment there are no qualified BVIslanders currently serving in the Police Force that could take over as Commissioner once Mr. Fraser pre-retirement leave ends. While a college degree is important, the truth of the matter is that a degree in no way means that the individual possessing that degree will be able to perform the functions of Commissioner. First of all you must be able to command the respect of your management team as well as from members of the entire organization. Likewise, you must have excellent verbal and written communication skills and be polished all around. In other words you must look the part as well as be able to act the part. Apart from Mr. Alwin James who is the closest thing to a born BVIslander currently serving is the only senior officer in the organization who comes close to having what it takes to fill the post of Commissioner. I trust that my comment or my views are considered fair and balance.
People let us be reasonable and think abiout this seriously. I for one hope that Mr. Morris isw appointed to the post. If not, a suitable candidate should be recruited from overseas providing they have the revelent experience and qualifications. At the end of the day it's not about who is in the post or where he or she is from. It is about that person's ability to get the job done.
As a member of the public, I feel I deserve to be able to live without the constant fear of crime and having the right individual to head the police force could have either a positive or negative impact on crime in the twerritory.
I have watched and I have listened to all of the negative publicity the force has been subjected to here of late and in my view it is very damaging to the organization as well as the morale of the police officers who care about our community. This negativel publicity will surely have a negative affect on crime if it continues.
than uou excluding all those Ametican Reality Stars that is.Your ego must be the size of Alaska. Needless to say I will continue working hard and just learn to keep my problems to myself and hope the stress don't kill me,because then if I drop down dead you WILL have to make time to visit me at my FUNERAL.
How could you have a man who shamelessly lie to us to be the head of the RVIPF. By popular demand he is NOT WANTED - plain and simple. If I were him after reading all these blogs, I will pack up now and leave pronto. But he does not want to go. In fact, he has no-where to go. Staying here and reaping the benefits that he will not get anywhere in the world is an incentive to stay. He well knows what he wants.
What has he done that our own people cannot do? Why an inducement allowance when our own people will not get that. The bloggers are right- time to appoint a local and if the NDP does not do that, they themselves will be out like morris and governor.
Leave the stress of the RVIPF to the fools.
Good Luck, Sir.
Why dont you go back home and feel safe with your UK officers. Whilst you are here you will b e governed by us- in all sense of the words. Our local COPs were not given the same power as the UK cops had. And in any event, drug matters do take a long time to surface. Also, they came here to solve crime - not to go on a drinking spree in rum shops and Captain Mulligan as DM does every wekend. Up to now our poor Kendoy's family cannot close their eyes. So what crime s have they solved. Every week there is a break-in at stores in Road Town. So hush and go right back right now IF you feel safer.
The struggle will continue:I read international news,and I heard,and I saw many high-ranked officials being arrested,charged and prosecuted for crimes against humanity[genocide],and from all indication,these crimes were committed many years ago:some of the families of the the victims are calling for the death sentence for a former ruler in bangladesh.As a teenager,17-years,growing up in the BVI,I witnessed many people in authority used their position and power to commit crimes against humanity;maybe not to the extent of murder-genocide,but to an extent of frustration,and family destruction:Through my career as a p.o in the BVI,I watched some of these people launch attacks on officers in the force,who just share a different opinion with them:the punishment use to be,and is still the following:"transfer,demotion,humiliation,and the list goes-on:Aggrieved officers appealed to Governors and politicians,hoping to get redress and satisfaction,but to no avail!GOOD NEWS fron Her Majsty-The Queen: On 13th June,2007,Her Majesty-The Queen,approve a Brand New Constitution,for the BVI,and in the New Constitution,The Queen gave BVISLANDERS and residents "FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS OF AN INDIVIDUAL";meaning that,every person[including]those in high position,must respect each other's "Rights-and-freedoms".Freedom to blog,freedom to speak etc..etc..But despite of these Rights and Freedoms,those in authority,and some other people like "EVIL-MINDED-BLOGGER-RICKII" believe that because they want to silent the media,and keep lawlessness and vindictiveness behind close doors;they can hide behind blog-names to attack people,whom they do not like:RICKII,the Legal Team is proud to say,"he was gunned-down in the BVI,while serving Her Majesty-The Queen,and protecting Her Majesty's Citizen".The blood of the legal team is in the BVI!Legal Team respect authority and high position in the BVI,but legal team,do not respect DICTATORS and DICTATORSHIP! This NEW COP,must obey Her Majesty's Constitution,and he must RESPECT the Fundamental Rights and Freedoms of my beloved police officers!RICKII,my family knew who shot the legal team.Don't ask me,how we knew?Think-RICKII,and we also know who want to oppress the legal team,including those DICTATORS,who stole from many police officers who served Her Majesty-The Queen on the frontline!Took away their pride and dignity,and their DAAM money;And they continue to oppress police officers-frustrating them,and threatening national security!When is the Governor going to tell this new COP to stop this DICTATORSHIP in the police force;because such behavior,is a threat to NATIONAL SECURITY!Rickii,do like legal team,identitfy yourself and make a comment:YOU JAAAK-@$$$$$$$