RVIPF faces considerable challenges- Gov John S. Duncan
Present at the opening were Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith, First District Representative Honourable Andrew A. Fahie, Governor John S. Duncan, Territorial At Large member Honourable Archibald C. Christian, past officers of the RVIPF, officers of the Government and some residents of the district.
RVIPF still faces challenges
Governor John S. Duncan said that despite the achievement of the completion of the newly refurbished building, the RVIPF still faces challenges as it seeks to tackle crime and make the territory safer. He said the protection of a population is the first duty of any government and in the VI that duty is a shared responsibility under the Premier and the Governor.
“Our crime figures are still lower than they were two years ago and our detection figure at 48 percent would be the envy of any police force around the world.”
However, he said that despite these, the RVIPF faces considerable challenges. “When I arrived on island a little over a year ago I toured all the police stations on island and on the sister islands. If the West End station was by far the worst the others were scarcely better.”
He noted that the state of basic infrastructure from patrol cars to boats was seriously deficient.
Criminal investigation
Governor Duncan said that while the force was making progress on the investigative side, the other sections of the justice system must do their part to ensure that justice is served.
“We will continue to rely on our colleagues in the legal sector to follow through on the work of the RVIPF to ensure that justice is handed down swiftly and effectively as the public has every right to demand.”
He said that progress in achieving security has been too slow and have suffered delays and setbacks with the progress that was hoped for. “Nonetheless I am confident that with the support of the Premier, the National Security Council, the British Virgin Islands Government and the officers of the RVIPF we will achieve our objective. This is a good step in the right direction.”
Governor Duncan insisted that as resources are limited, the RVIPF must spend wisely and ensure that they receive value for money. “But they must have the funds to be the effective force all the inhabitants of the BVI and our many visitors demand. I know that I can count on the Premier’s support in making this happen,” he said.
Criminal activity threatens our existence
Speaking at the opening of the West End Police Station, Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith said the opening of the facility is about rekindling the relationship between the Police and the West End community.
He said the partnership is vital to combating criminal activity in the Virgin Islands and reducing the number of unsolved crimes in the community.
“My Government resolves to keeping the BVI safe and as crime free as possible with zero tolerance for gun crimes,” he said. “Criminal activity threatens our existence. It affects our reputation as a safe tourism destination. It affects our reputation as a stable financial services jurisdiction and it affects our ability to safeguard our families,” he said.
According to the Premier, the works included the installation of a new roof and renovations to accommodations and police barracks, the replacement of windows, the installation of new security and fire systems, the installation of interior finishing, and air-conditioning, plumbing and electrical works.
The works cost $318,000 and were completed over a period of nine months, from January to September 2015, said the Premier.
This stands in stark contrast to what the Premier had said while answering questions in the House of Assembly on November 10, 2014. He said then that the works were expected to cost $165,380 and that the Government had no intention of permanently closing the West End Police Station.
Honourable Fahie had been lobbying constantly for the Government to provide resources for the rehabilitation of the building since its closure in May 2014.
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