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Should residents be concerned about fingerprints taken by the DMV?

December 31st, 2023 | Tags: fingerprints DMV Police Bill John J. Rankin compromise
A device used to take fingerprints at Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). it is our understanding that over the years one or two requests have been made by the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) to the DMV for copies of fingerprints. Photo: Team of Reporters
Police Commissioner Mark Collins did not respond to our queries as to whether the new Police Bill will seek to make it legal to obtain fingerprints of residents from external sources. Photo: Facebook/File.
Police Commissioner Mark Collins did not respond to our queries as to whether the new Police Bill will seek to make it legal to obtain fingerprints of residents from external sources. Photo: Facebook/File.
POCKWOOD POND, Tortola, VI- As has been the practice for many years, once you are obtaining any type of driver’s license from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in the Territory, one of the requirements is for DMV to take your fingerprints.

That fingerprint becomes the sole property of the DMV and it's our understanding that no other agency should have access to residents' fingerprints.

It is also our understanding that over the years one or two requests have been made by the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) to the DMV for copies of fingerprints. 

According to a source speaking on condition of anonymity; however, the department has stood its ground in not releasing the information. 

With the new Police Bill that is being pushed by Governor John J. Rankin, CMG, some residents are wondering if the fingerprint information will now be released to the police. 

Under the proposed new police bill, fingerprints could be taken for a variety of reasons; however, it's unclear if it allows the RVIPF to obtain fingerprints from other local agencies or from overseas.

Police Commissioner Mark Collins did not respond to our queries on the matter.

37 Responses to “Should residents be concerned about fingerprints taken by the DMV? ”

  • c (31/12/2023, 16:51) Like (41) Dislike (1) Reply
    Then why would the DMV need the prints?
  • nonsense (31/12/2023, 17:14) Like (31) Dislike (11) Reply
    There is absolutrly no reason your finger print should be used to obtain a Driver's license it is just unnesearry data for the Department and it is useless to DMV. Your name, blood type, picture and address is sufficient for a Driver's License.
    WHAT BACK DOOR AVENUE THE POLICE TRYING TO GET YOUR FINGER PRINT SMH, THE GOVERNOR AND POLICE NEEF TO LEAVE HERE ASAP. THEY ARECMAKING LIVING IN THE VI UNCOMFORTABLE.
    • @nonsense (31/12/2023, 21:54) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      My dear you haven’t seen uncomfortable yet.
    • Faithful (01/01/2024, 16:54) Like (18) Dislike (2) Reply
      If you are not a criminal or don't participate in criminal activity, then you don't have anything to worry about
  • … (31/12/2023, 17:20) Like (12) Dislike (15) Reply
    My god there goes our human rights
  • Nothing Wrong (31/12/2023, 17:38) Like (19) Dislike (15) Reply
    Unless one has cocoa in the sun
    It not nothing is wrong if the police gets a hold of one’s fingerprint
  • So what (31/12/2023, 17:45) Like (35) Dislike (15) Reply
    What is the issue here? Wouldn’t any normal law abiding citizen want to support crime being detected and criminals being brought to Justice!!
  • 2024 (31/12/2023, 17:50) Like (6) Dislike (11) Reply
    Police State, do you remember the daze of slavery
    let me tell you; once babylon get those prints of your fingers sky is the limit
  • IF YOUR HANDS ARE CLEAN (31/12/2023, 18:23) Like (17) Dislike (6) Reply
    What is there to be afraid of ? / many crimes were solved through the same , ( FINGERPRINTS ) the police has the right to have access to FINGERPRINTS . some people think they can dictate to the law what their egotistical mind dream up / they also believe that they have the most brains - sadly , there's no law against fooling yourself ????




  • ? (31/12/2023, 19:12) Like (34) Dislike (3) Reply
    So, Apple, Samsung and the US Department of State all have your fingerprints and other biometric data; God knows who they share that info with; info that you quite willingly gave them. They also track your every move on the little devices which you are totally dependent on, but you have a concern about DMV having your prints? Smdh!
    • @? (31/12/2023, 21:47) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
      I know right. Don’t forget about the ones who have their thumb print installed on their phones? That is your fingerprint right? You willingly did that right? So what seems to be the problem if the DMV have your fingerprints on file. If anyone have a problem with that, then there is something you are trying to hide.
    • @? (31/12/2023, 21:52) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      (Shouting) NOTHING. BUT. THE. FACTS!.
  • Its a good thing (31/12/2023, 19:18) Like (9) Dislike (3) Reply
    Why should anyone be concerned if you are finger printed at the DMV? I don’t see anything wrong with that. It’s a good thing. One quick question, is day care workers and people that work in schools, not Teachers and principals is required to be fingerprinted as well?
  • craziness (31/12/2023, 19:32) Like (16) Dislike (5) Reply
    In the UK fingerprints are not required for drivers license. So why in Tola? People wake up and stand up for your rights.
    • Because (31/12/2023, 20:18) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
      UK may not require fingerprints for a driver's license because your national identification card agency would already have that infirmation. Should we implement that in the BVI?
  • Yes. But. (31/12/2023, 19:44) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
    It should not be mandatory. A person should be given the opportunity to agree or not. In the British System the law required that accused be finger printed as part of a process...Regular citizen should not be subjected or force to be finger printed.. A form should be given to people to filled and signed if they consented or not to finger print.
  • Wow. (31/12/2023, 21:29) Like (13) Dislike (6) Reply
    What are you criminals afraid of?
  • Unbelievable (31/12/2023, 21:31) Like (13) Dislike (2) Reply
    If DMV has a database of fingerprints and the police wishes to access such data why should DMV not want to access, if it could potentially help solve the case. In actuality their should be laws in place that forces DMV to give police access to those prints. Why exactly does DMV need our finger print anyway?
  • Awesome (31/12/2023, 21:37) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is good especially for the new people that has/or is migrating to the territory and they apply for a driver’s license. I don’t see a problem with DMV taking fingerprints of everyone who have a drivers license or apply for a drivers license on the Island.
  • Native Tongue (31/12/2023, 21:49) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Finger prints???? that is why we love vino they bring us the facts and many things we take for granted
  • nothing (01/01/2024, 01:33) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Do nothing fear nothing. All ports of entry needs to be finger printed and needs to be tied into law enforcement if we are going to combat crime. To long the B V I been asleep time to wake up.
  • usvi (01/01/2024, 06:56) Like (23) Dislike (2) Reply
    When u enter into the USVI customs take ur finger print as well and not just one but all 5, don't hear no complaining about that.
  • BuzzBvi (01/01/2024, 09:27) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply
    If you are not a criminal or planning a crime you would not be concerned who has your prints. Fingerprint everyone and lets get the increasingly lawless VI under control.
  • J (01/01/2024, 09:41) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
    This is shocking to me. I have always thought that that was the purpose behind the fingerprinting at DMV. It’s rediculous that they collect that information just because they can. I support the police having access to that data. If one doesn’t want to do the time, they should not do the crime. The community should support the police in this one.
  • WHY WORRY? (01/01/2024, 09:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The dmv is a govt agency. There’s no need to worry here. They have probably already lost most of the prints they took like every other agency loses things.
  • Really (01/01/2024, 17:35) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    It's called new world order
  • hmm (02/01/2024, 09:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    If you ever travelled to the US Uncle Sam has your prints as well. What you think they doing with them?
  • Norris Turnbull (02/01/2024, 19:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    What's the purpose of DMV having your fingerprints? Is not FP personal information and should be requested? Just saying


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