UPDATE: RVIPF confirms Roy Stoutt's acting appointment as Dep. Commissioner
According to a press release today February 5, 2013 from the RVIPF, Head of the RVIPF Territorial Division Superintendent Roy Stoutt was officially appointed to act as Deputy Commissioner of Police late last week on the recommendation of the Police Service Commission and the agreement of the Governor.
The release noted that the appointment is retroactive from January 3, 2013 and will end on April 23, 2013 upon the return of Acting Deputy Commissioner Alwyn James who is away for three months.
It further stated that during the three months, Superintendent St. Clair Amory will be in charge of Territorial Policing while Chief Inspector Kenrick Headley will act as Superintendent in charge of Operations, Events and Disaster Management. Inspector Marlon Charles will act as Chief Inspector within the Operations Division.
Acting Deputy Commissioner Stoutt, in acknowledging his new position, noted his intentions to see that officers keep focus on the business of serving the public.
“It is, at times, easy to get distracted with the many obstacles, lack of human resources, lack of equipment but it is my intent to keep using what we do have to provide a consistent, dependable service to this Territory," the release quoted Mr Stoutt as commenting.
See previous story posted on January 3, 2013
Pressure bursts pipes! Roy Stoutt may act as DCP
Following an accurate article on this news site about Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police Alwin James proceeding on study leave and the controversy that was emerging about his replacement, this news site can now confirm that finally an indigenous qualified veteran police officer may be given a chance to act in the role.
According to this news site’s many sources, Superintendent Maltaine Roy Stoutt has been given the support to be recommended to act for three (3) months as Deputy Police Commissioner.
In a recent meeting held with Mr. Stoutt, he was allegedly advised of the possiblity of an acting appointment for three months. It is this news site’s understanding that his Acting Deputy Police Commissioner’s appointment will commence on January 7, 2013 if given the final approval from the Police Service Commission and the Governor.
For many years local qualified police officers have been overlooked in the RVIPF in favour of other Caribbean nationals and United Kingdom officers. Currently, a UK officer- Mr. David Morris- is the Acting Police Commissioner and is expected to be named soon as Police Commissioner with the strong backing of the United Kingdom appointed Governor William B. McCleary-a close ally and friend.
Many believe this appointment is not necessary as there are many, both locals and belongers (other Caribbean nationals) in the force currently, who can take up the post.
Meanwhile, an official comment from the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force on the possible appointment of Mr. Stoutt was not forthcoming as up to post time, however, Police Information Officer Diane Drayton said she would get back to this news site after querying with her superiors.
See previous article posted on December 31, 2012
RVIPF Alwin James out; controversy over his replacement!
-Acting Deputy Commissioner James heads for study leave; local qualified officers may be snubbed yet again
Word reaching this news site from our team of reporters and well placed sources inside the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) Government is that Acting Deputy Police Commissioner Alwin James is to proceed on study leave in the coming days.
Mr. James is expected to be away for well over three months taking advance police management courses. However, controversy looms already as to whom will take up the acting post of Deputy Commissioner of Police while Mr. James, a Dominica national, is overseas.
Two sources within the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) close to this situation confirmed to this news site that no firm decision has been made yet as to James’ temporary replacement but a short list was made and discussed with the current Acting Police Commissioner David Morris, the United Kingdom appointed Governor William Boyd McCleary- a close ally of Morris, and Mr. James.
One name among others that has been circulating within the top brass is that of Superintendent St.Claire Armoury. Mr. Armoury, a Nevis national, is a young officer with just 21 years of service.
Local qualified officer could be snubbed again
Superintendent Roy Stoutt, an indigenous Virgin Islander who was snubbed already when he was to get the post as acting Deputy Police Commissioner on the elevation of Morris, may be over looked yet again.
Mr. Stoutt, who has over 34-year of service and a Bachelor’s Degree is said not to be a favorite of some very senior elements within the RVIPF. It remains unclear if those who are opposed to Superintendent Stoutt include David Morris and Governor McCleary, two controversial figures.
Efforts to get a comment from Police Information Officer Diane Drayton on the topic of a replacement for James were unsuccessful. Both Acting Commissioner Morris and Acting Deputy Commissioner James could not be reached up to post time.
RVIPF rocked by scandal; Governor Bias!
The current Acting Commissioner Morris, a UK contract Officer, since taking up his post in the Virgin Islands has been rocked by scandal. Well over a year ago he made an attempt to illegally censor this news site because of an article posted about his power in the force when he was the Deputy Commissioner of Police. The article relied on several senior officers coming forward and talking to the news site about issues of alleged racism, who has power and treatment of some police officers in the force.
His attempted censorship was met with outrage by the local progressive class. The Governor, a close friend and supporter of Morris, used a letter sent to him signed by a former senior civil servant on the censorship topic as a pretest to fire a Permanent Secretary.
Many now view governor McCleary as bias, oppressive and not committed to good governance and the rule of law. The same governor has been consistently accused of blatant violations of the Virgin Islands Constitution.
A couple months ago two police officers took both the Governor and Morris to court on allegation that Governor Boyd McCleary illegally delegated powers to Acting Commissioner of Police David Morris. The matter is up for another hearing next year.
There are also many court cases pending by public officers against this governor for alleged unfair dismissals, violation of their human rights and disregard for procedures. Another police officer (female) is to file a case soon against both Morris and McCleary.
A few weeks ago Mr. Morris told a TV talk show on CBN channel 51 that he is “not white”.
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95 Responses to “UPDATE: RVIPF confirms Roy Stoutt's acting appointment as Dep. Commissioner”
what is mr stoutt's track record when it comes to performance? so local = give it to him? cut the @$#%^ man.
It just makes you and the UK officers looks like little, spoilt children.
he IS TOO LAZY TO GET ANY POSITION. I SAY GIVE IT TO THE MOST DESERVING BVISLANDER CAUSE he CAN'T DO THE JOB. ISN'T HIS DEGREE IN HUMAN RESOUCES INSTEAD OF LAW/CRIMINAL JUSTICE?
The police force is dysfunctional and appointing a UK Commissioner of Police did not and will not solve the problem. Barry Webb was appointed and look what happened to him. David Morris is Acting Commissioner and things have seemingly gotten worst under his leadership.
Now to speak about the issue with Ag. Deputy Commissioner James leave to attend a Senior Police Management Course in the UK. Mr. James was appointed Acting Deputy Commissioner following Mr. Frazer's departure. aS far as I am aware, his appointment was to be for six months followed by the appointed of Roy Stoutt for a period of six months. Following the end of Mr. Stout appointment the post of Deputy Commissioner was to readvertised. Unfortunately, Mr. Morris reported voiced his strong opposition to Mr. Stoutt's appointment to acting in the post of Deputy and reportedly made this known to the Governor who agreed.
Another issue that may have added to the division in the force was the appointment of St. Clair Amory to the post of Superintendent over then Senior Chief Inspector Mike Donovan. Many within the ranks saw this is unfair given Mr. Donovan Seniority though the appointed was recommended by the then Police Service Commissioner who decided that Mr. Amory was more qualified. It is important to point out that information is that the Governor and Morris were both in favor of Mr. Donovan being appointed instead of Mr. Armory. Some officers even cited the fact that Mr. Donovan is married to a white UK National may be the reason who both the Governor and Morris favored Donovan over Amory though this was just rumored.
Then there was the issue of the promotion policy which resulted in several junior officers being promoted over several officers who were known for their hard work and dedication to the job. It was alleged that several of the officers who were promoted had little or no real policing experience and their promotion was largely based on passing the promotion examination. Based on recent information from the inside, many of the newly promoted officers are not cutting it and there seems to be some regrets among members of the force Senior Management team.
It will be interesting to see which of the two Superintendents (Stoutt or Amory) will be appointed to act Deputy Commissioner in Mr. James absence. I am not a betting man but I will take my chances and say that neither of them will. We'll see what happens early in the new year.
My Children it is interesting how these foreign nationals have our people fighting like crab in a barrel for a lousy position of ACTING Deputy Commisioner of Police. This issue has gone in for some years so the UK Government and the local Government agreed in the past to use one local and one UK National for leadership. The reason is UK Nationals and population don't trust Locals and the same for Locals to UK Nationals. A divided country which is also playing out in the Department. The Governor has two Secretaries, One Local and One for UK Affairs and the two don't mix. THIS BEHAVIOR NEED TO STOP. IT IS ANCIENT AND VERY VERY RACIST. So here comes Mr. M in the department who seems to be one of those guys who spends a lot of time in the mirror admiring himself and who perhaps sleeps with noxima or avocado facials to run the department. He will not recommend Mr. ST... because he simply does not comply with the profile he want of the force. Simply put ST...IS TOO FAT. The Am....Guy look more like Morris and the beauty that he wants. That is a guy who wants the job but would not know what to do when he gets there but be in everyone's way. So Am... be a law enforcement officer and not a cleaner fish on the back of the whale.
M...need to stop playing games and simply tell st...he is too fat and the the job is for an active person and move on. He need to tell Am....to dig deeper.....and perhaps he might get it. The others are spending too much time guarding the Super Markets or Drinking, hence saying he does not need a deputy. So M...play smart and appoint two deputies one for administration and one for operations. Split the duties because the economy is growing and there are a lot of areas that need attention. The Mom and Pop store mentality does not sync with the current economy. Second appoint two assistant Comissioners one for Crimes and one for a intelligence. And that will be your leadership group for the department. Setup Protocols for scene of crime and intelligence simply put null this whole child's plays and create two deputy Comissioner and two assistant commissioner post or rename the superintendent posts and structure the department to handle the particular areas so you would have more time to focus on policy and strategic planning and development. Remember you have the Air Sea and Land divisions. Operations Administration and Intelligence. Also here is another suggestion, seize mopeds and use them for officers on the street and save the government money. So M....pause in the mirror a bit and focus on the department . The public is calling for it. If you don't the public will take up arms and defend itself. THOSE ARE YOUR ORDERS.
BVI people stand up for your rights and whats right don't wait to see who Morris decides to promote...he is wrong dead wrong and when election day comes do the same just how the NDP and the VIP refuse to get involve you refuse to go to the poles since they think its only one way england can run the country
dont vote and let them see the same governor will run here this is crazy you think this could happen where i'm from and the people who getting promoted I don't blame them for not saying anything they didn't promote themselves but they too know this couldn't happen where they come from your people come first no matter where you from its time you people stand up for your rights and stop letting these people take advantage of you all it's your country when they leave why let them leave you in this problem when they go when the governor and morris board that plane the problem is still here and where they are going the mother land intact. You think Frazer could be the commissioner in the UK no you have to be from the UK this needs to be addressed in the house just how they went in the house and pass that bill that the bvi premier has to be a local they could do the same for their person/s in charge of their internal security but i guess these politicians don't seem to care about their people. don't vote period. solution to this problem.
Is it true that the man R.. u guys making noise about when he completed his studies, report I'll for almost six months because they did not create a post of ACP for him. Is it true that the man R.. found himself on the block with all kinda questionable characters in East End, and crime is rampant in the East which he heads. Is it true that the man R.. has very little or no respect in the community where he dwells. Is it true that the man R.. was disrespectful and racial to a former DCP. Is it true that the man support mediocracy once is BV Islander. Is it true about three years ago the man R.. had a secret BV Islanders only meeting, supporting gross disharmony. Is it true that the man is one of the biggest cro@#ks and non supportive of Morris. What will make him support him now, Acting Deputy I don't think so. It is true that the man R needs a whip on his axx to get him working for the years he has been doing nothing. R... do your country a favor and retire.
S..... is so incompetent and bad minded even though knowledge was coming down from the sky like rain stoutt would never get wet.
Oh please, he only hungry for power, does anyone knows the history of this man, all he does is put enemy between the locals and the expatriates in the force, he has no verbal or written communication skill. i wouldnt even recommend him to run the boy scout troupe, ag deputy, no no no no no no
What will that make him, "the Acting Acting Deputy"? This is ridiculous. What does the statement "RVIPF Alwin James out; controversy over his replacement!" mean? I think this is just stirring up unnecessary drama. Furthermore, I wonder if Mr. James is more or less local, as I seem to recall that this man is by now, one of you. Segregation will not pay in the long run.
Give Mr. Stoutt a chance. I am confident that he would do his best regardless of the demands that will be placed on him in an attempt to prove that Mr. Stoutt is incompetent. While I know that Morris has experience and is capable of running the Force, I think he lacks the ability to bring the officers together. Disunity and the lack of adequate training are the Key reasons why the force is dysfunctional. I am calling on Dr. Smith and his Ministers to take a close look at the Force. Regardless of whether the Force falls within the constitutional responsibilities of the Governor, you were elected to office to serve the people of the BVI which makes you just as responsible. A divided Force is a dysfunctional Force.
Let me join the other bloggers who are exercising their Constitutional[Fundamental]Rights,pursuant to section 23 of the V.I Constitution, on this democratic news site-VINO.Democracy is alive in the BVI.And let me enjoy section 21 of the said Constitution,which gives me the freedom to chose my religion of choice.I am a catholic christian:On a daily basis,I make the biblical Psalm-Chapter 5 verses 4 to 7 be the center of my focus,as I live life knowing that god is in charge and I fear no man!The Governor is not above the law,so he cannot do me anything unlawfully,and not be punished in a court of law.He,as an individual is immune to [civil and criminal]prosecution in the BVI,but is subject to discipline in the UK. Psalm 5 vse 4 to 7 states "from day break you hear my voice,from dawn I am in your presence watching for you: The arrogant cannot stand before you.you hate all who do evil; you destroy all who speak falsehood,who thirst for blood and live on lies;all of them the lord detest".with this spiritual strength, I [KNIGHTRIDER] say, am happy that Mr.Roy Stoutt-a long-serving member of Her Majesty's Constabulary in the BVI is to be appointed as DCP.But I still have a concern with this Governor[McCleary] and this police commissioner[Morris].From all indications,Roy[a bvislander] had to beg for this position!Why?This Governor[McCleary]must stop treating the UK-Born police officers in the rvipf,differently than our Bvi/Caribbean-Born officers!He must stop this segregation and discrimination.I will continue to write to Her Majesty-The Queen,to report to Her,how this Governor is not being fair to Virgin Islanders.When it was to appoint David Morris to ACTING cop,it was no big force:When he gave Morris Unlawful and Unconstitutional powers,it was no big force:Her Majesty-The Queen,in section 97(1) of the V.I Constitution,gave 5 members of the Police Service Commission powers to advise the Governor; now the Governor,without authority from Her Majesty in council,took these powers,unconstitutionally from the Po.S.C[BVISLANDERS] and gave these powers to one-man-Morris,a UK-Born COP.Why was it a big force to make Roy[a bvislander] DCP? My people of the V.I,be biblically minded:support your own:Can't you see UK-Governor,supporting UK-Acting C.O.P? Mr.Stoutt never left his police force in his own country;to go anywhere;he stayed to serve his people.Many expatriates left their country of birth,and settled in the BVI,amongst BVIslanders,serving for long periods:we join with to serve!Ay-Ay:As a human being,ROY has his short-comings,therefore he is not perfect in the sight of mankind,but he is a child of god.Morris is on a contract-vacation,and will soon leave.The Governor will also leave too:Governor McCleary,I am saying to you sir,"stop playng games with my people.Promote who should be promoted!!" It is time for my people to match down road town in protest of the Governor's unfairness to Virgin Islanders and caribbean people in the police force!!
There are many persons in authority,who only quote law on paper,when the law favors them,but when it favors the lower-ranked citizens;the very same persons in authority,pretend that that law does not exist.Let us look at section 97(1) of the V.I Constitution,which is the supreme law under which a person can be appointed/Promoted to an office in the V.I police force:
Section 97(1) states "Power to make appointments to offices in the POLICE FORCE and to remove and to exercise disciplinary control over persons holding or acting in such offices shall vest in the Governor,acting in accordance with the ADVICE of the police service commission;but the Governor,acting in his or her discretion,may act otherwise than in accordance with that advice if he or she determines that compliance with that advice would PREJUDICE Her Majesty's service".
PREJUDICE Her Majesty's Service?? My law dictionary defines the term "prejudice" in its legal context: Prejudice-"a bias,or an opinion or judgement formed beforehand or without examination". The Governors in the past,and now in the present time,have MISUSED the discretionery clause in section 97(1) of the Constitution,where on several occasions,the Police Service Commission,would advise the Governor to appoint/PROMOTE a perso to an office in the police force,but the Governor would use the PREJUDICIAL clause to refuse or reject the advice of the Po.S.Commission.
My BVI people,I want you to ask the Governor this question: "If a person is in public life [public service-police force] serving their country BVI with no problems for many years-without any PREJUDICE to Her Majesty's Service,how can the promotion/appointment to a higher rank,PREJUDICE Her Majesty's Service?".
Governor;SIR"stop abusing your powers under our V.I Constitution! We the people of the V.I,asked Her Majesty for this Constitution:Governor,you must operate fairly and impartially under our Constitution!Don't look at the person,look at the law!! It's not your Constitution sir;it's ours-The V.I Constitution!Don't use it to please your UK-Born officers only,O.K?
This blog which I now write to be published in our democratic BVI,is really to Congratulate Acting DCP Roy Stoutt for his academic achievements and continued service to Her Majesty-The Queen,and by extention,the people of the BVI,both citizens and non-citizens.
We had blogged in favour of Supt.Stoutt:Now that he has been appointed,it is time for me to move to another chapter.Mr.Stoutt sir;Continue to serve your country-Be fair to all on the job:Good luck and may the good lord continue to bless you and your family.
The Acting Commissioner and the Governor scrapped that recommendation after the Acting Commissioner was appointed and instead of the six months split they appointed James to the position to Deputy Commissioner because they did not want Stoutt to re-apply for the post. As if that was not disrespectful enough to Mr. Stoutt who served the BVI as a Police Officer for over 30 years, he (Stoutt) was told about former Commissioner Frazer's recommendation to have both him and James act in the post for six month each before readvertising it.
Now what we are hearing is that Stoutt was appointed to act in the post temporarily until James return from a police management course in the UK in April. This alone can tell you that neither the Acting Commissioner nor the Governor want Stoutt to hold the post indefinitely because of the fact that Stoutt had an argument with a Former UK appointed Deputy Commissioner in the 1990's, which resulted in Stoutt's being reverted from Acting Superintendent back to Chief Inspector under then Commissioner V. E. Malone. I think this was in Governor Savage time if my memorary serves me correct, and for those who recall, Savage was the one who forced out Malone so then Commissioner Spider Webb could take over. As far as Spider Webb goes we all know how that story ended.
The truth is that the white UK Appointed Deputy Commissioners all come to the BVI with one intention and one intention only which is to be the Commissioner. The only reason why Frazer was appointed Commissioner when Spider Webb tenure ended was because the then local Government took a stand, and I specifically remember the People's Man (the Right-Honourable O. W. Hodge) being very vocal in calling for Frazer's appointment. Frazer was appointed and eventually confirmed. The guy from Dominica, I think Alfred was his name was appointed Deputy under Frazer but I think Jacob George acted Deputy for a period of time until he retired as well, though I cannot recall if George's appointment was after or before Alfred's.
The idea to have a white UK Commissioner of Police at the helm of the Police Forces in the Overseas Territories is all part of a master plan. I hear that the Commissioner of Police in Montserrat (Foster) was forced out recently and a White UK Commissioner was appointed. I heard the samething could happen in Anguilla in the not to distance future because the Anguillan Commissioner is being pressured in an effort to make him appear incompitent. If that happens there is not doubt where the next Commissioner of Police in Anguilla will hail from. There is a White UK Appointed Commissioner in Cayman. While I cannot speak for Turks and Caicos at this time, Bermuda as far as I am aware have a Commissioner who came up the ranks of the Bermudian Police Force but I think he is a Bermudian.
The Police force will never get better than it is right now. It will continue to go down the drain. No wonder a wide cross section or the force is there for the benefits of free medicial, dental, and the fact that its easier to get a job as an expat when compared to Immigration and H.M. Customs. I blame the government of the BVI. Had they done what they were supposed to thirty years ago, we would have had well qualified BVIslanders at the top of the Police Force and they would have being able to get the job done once they were provided with the necessary tools including the necessary training on an ongoing basis. As it stands the police force is a joke. It will not get any better in the future.......Thank God I am home enjoying my pension as small as it is.....My sympathies go out to those who continue to labour with the hopes that things will improve.
Look how interested the people are when it comes to the appointment of a police commissioner (or Deputy in this matter). It seems obvious that 1) there has been an abuse of the system by the powers that be ; 2) this abuse of power is continuous and causing an uneasiness in the atmosphere of our otherwise peaceful islands and 3) lots of people are concerned and are voicing their very valid opinions which need to be heard and considered.
And the solution? Well we do not have to look too far. Let us remove these powers from the privileged ones that have abused it and let us afford the people of this beautiful territory the opportunity to exercise their democratic rights. How? Why by voting of course. In the UK last year, I recall flyers going around to various households and information being put on websites about people who were running to be elected as a police commissioner. The government encouraged a system of electing police commissioners! Whilst the voting turnout was very low ( I guess the system is pretty fair so no one really cared), I can see how people would be more than happy to cast their vote in the BVI and the turnout would therefore be high. The candidates would have to provide info on their skills, experiences, qualifications, proposals,etc and the people would then decide whom should be afforded the position. A fair approach results in a fair outcome. Then all the tension would be removed and everyone can go on with their happy lives. The elected commissioner would be proud to serve the people and is less likely to mess about knowing that the people put him there and the people would support that commissioner as someone they can trust and respect.
That is the solution. Work on it!