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Police Officers AWOL from Court duties! – Crown Counsel

Crown Counsel Herbert Potter alleged today, January 7, 2014 that too many officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force have been routinely skipping their court obligations. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Crown Counsel Herbert Potter alleged today, January 7, 2014 that too many officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force have been routinely skipping their court obligations.

Potter, in addressing the court while explaining the absence of a police officer for an ongoing matter, said the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has had to endure the issue for some time and expressed frustration at the growing concern.

According to Potter, many of the officers were either taking their vacation leave, on late shifts or presenting some other form of excuse when they were due in court to attend a hearing or present evidence in a matter. He noted that this happened especially between the months of December through February of each year.

Potter requested that the court make a determination on whether a summons should be issued for officers who have to appear for matters before the court.

Meanwhile, Magistrate Dr Velon John, upon hearing the concerns said the issue ought to be resolved with a policy position being put in place and related that the higher echelons of government, particularly the Governor or Deputy Governor, have to be engaged to address the issue.

An officer, he stressed, ought to be at court for a matter for which they are involved, unless they are out of the Territory. Magistrate John argued that in attending court, the officer would not be losing any time and would always be able to get the time off on another day.

“This missive will be sent today,” Magistrate John said of his intent to write a letter on the concerns raised. He was hopeful that a meeting would be held shortly to address the issue.

11 Responses to “Police Officers AWOL from Court duties! – Crown Counsel”

  • ABC (07/01/2014, 13:38) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply

    See another example that the rvipf is a failure under its head

    • head man (07/01/2014, 17:19) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      and the head is Morris and McCleary
      • kk (07/01/2014, 18:24) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
        bla bla bla, thats all you locals could do, the UK is incharge and thats that.
        • wise up (07/01/2014, 19:22) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply

          KK; i agree with...as a citzen of this country i find we do to much talking on the wrong subjects; we should not going in to 2014 just talking but doing something about the things that we have issues with..there is nothing the BV Islanders can do about Moris or McCleary other than blog nonsense day after day; whats the point....we now need to educate the citzens of the BVI to take their rightful positions

  • bad boy (07/01/2014, 13:59) Like (25) Dislike (2) Reply
    they are working at rite way liming
  • nan (07/01/2014, 14:18) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Give the officers an official warning of 2 times absent, THEN HIT THEM WHERE IT HURTS THE MOST, A SUMMONS IN THEIR BEHINDS! I bet they show up from now on. STOP BABYING THEM... STRUPPS.
  • question (07/01/2014, 14:32) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    If officers are on leave how can they be AWOL (absent without leave)? Surely this matter could be dealt with through better scheduling.
    • hard times (09/01/2014, 16:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Exactly, the problem is the attitude of the DPP. I once heard that an officer was requested to attend court that day via a phone call to a train on which the officer was travelling in Scotland. The DPP need to liaise with witnesses and obtain dates to avoid, rather than assume, as many lawyers do that all witnesses including police are simply at their beck and call. Perhaps this is taught at law school, but it doesn't work in the real world.
  • ------------------ (07/01/2014, 17:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    whats new here with the police?
  • chilling out (08/01/2014, 13:35) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    When on vacation all police work ceased better believe it ,do not call me iam not coming case adjourned


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