UPDATE: Under pressure Operation Lucan charges 3 RVIPF officers
Operation Lucan was launched in 2014 with a view to investigating high profile corruption in the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF).
“The men are interdicted Royal Virgin Islands police officers who had been implicated in corruption allegations,” stated a press release from head of the investigation team, David Baines OBE, Commissioner of the Cayman Islands Police Force.
The three men are scheduled to appear in the Magistrate’s Court at John’s Hole, tomorrow April 5, 2016 at 9AM, and will be kept in custody until that time, according to the press release.
Early into the investigations, five RVIPF officers were interdicted from duty, however, one of them was reinstated to full police duties.
Operation Lucan heavily criticised
Operation Lucan began on November 10, 2014, with the team reporting directly to the Commissioner of Police David Morris and the Director of Public Prosecutions. Cayman Islands Police Commissioner David Baines was announced as the man to lead the investigation.
However, after mounting pressure from the media and the public, the RVIPF - especially those who were directly being investigated, residents territory-wide, and civil society, over the decision to have the team reporting to the Commissioner of Police, Mr Morris surrendered to good governance and agreed to a truly independent investigation.
Hundreds of thousands spent with zero results
Besides the Cayman Islands Police Chief, by 2015 there were up to ten United Kingdom police officers on the investigative team, many of whom had retired, but still raking in thousands of dollars via their new Virgin Islands pouch assignment. They got housing allowances, rental cars and cellular phones, all off the public purse, with not one black officer from the UK or locally a part of the team.
It was also revealed to our newsroom that three hundred and eighty five thousand dollars ($ 385,000.00) was spent in 2015 alone to keep the operation going.
When questioned about the state of the investigation last month, Governor John S. Duncan OBE said it's conclusion should not be long in coming.
"I can't say very much as the investigation is ongoing…It has made good progress but these things are complex and I expect that you will see developments in the not too distant future," Governor Duncan had told Virgin Islands News Online.
See previous article published March 15, 2016
Operation Lucan to conclude in 'not too distant future' – Gov John S. Duncan
- says he is unable to comment on the ongoing investigation but that it has made 'good progress'
Governor of the Virgin Islands His Excellency John S. Duncan OBE said Operation Lucan is still an ongoing investigation which has so far made good progress and for which developments, to wit the investigation's conclusions, will be seen in the not so distant future.
Operation Lucan was launched with a view to investigating high profile corruption in the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force.
Independent investigation?
It was announced by Government in 2014 that an independent investigation was in place to root out police corruption after months of media reports.
This followed an entire ‘special investigation unit’ of the RVIPF being sent on leave pending the outcome of an investigation for wrongdoing, including allegedly stealing cash from drug dealers.
The investigation, named Operation Lucan, began on November 10, 2014, with the team reporting directly to the Commissioner of Police and the Director of Public Prosecutions. Cayman Islands Police Commissioner David Baines was announced as the man to lead the investigation.
However, after pressure from the media and the public, the RVIPF - especially those who were directly being investigated, residents territory-wide, and civil society, then Commissioner of Police David Morris surrendered to good governance and agreed to a truly independent investigation.
Results to come soon
When questioned on the state of the investigation, the Governor said that it's conclusion should not be long in coming.
"I can't say very much as the investigation is ongoing," said Governor Duncan when approached by this news site for a comment on the progress of the operation at a function last week.
"It has made good progress but these things are complex and I expect that you will see developments in the not too distant future," he said.
When asked to elaborate on what he meant by developments, Governor Duncan said, "A conclusion of the investigation. You'll have to see. I'm sure VINO will be the first to publish it."
Hundreds of thousands spent with zero results
Besides the Cayman Islands Police Chief, by 2015 there were up to ten United Kingdom police officers on the investigative team, many of whom had retired, but still raking in thousands of dollars via their new Virgin Islands pouch assignment. They got housing allowances, rental cars and cellular phones, all off the public purse, with not one black officer from the UK or locally a part of the team.
Two years plus into the investigation a whopping three hundred and eighty five thousand dollars ($ 385,000.00) spent in 2015 alone, not one arrest of a police officer has been made over corruption charges, while the UK retired officers drive around in top of the line rental vehicles, live in the best areas, and receive lucrative salaries, in many cases doing better than the rank and file of the Police Force.
One officer cleared so far
The development of the police officer being returned to active duty following his name being cleared from the list of alleged corrupt cops was confirmed also by RVIPF Public Relations Officer Ms Diane Drayton who told this news site on March 3, 2015, “As a result of a decision made by the Director of Public Prosecutions, one of the officers in relation to Operation Lucan corruption allegation probe has been reinstated to full police duties. The investigation is ongoing and therefore we will make no further comment.”
The investigating of four other officers continues and they remain off the job pending the full outcome of Operation Lucan.
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32 Responses to “UPDATE: Under pressure Operation Lucan charges 3 RVIPF officers”
Police Officers who are not born here
and Ministers of Government who are BORN HERE
After all.. The BH and the MoG Degrees are higher.
You need to explain your self from blogging sh*t
line that you are one of those police on interdiction for the same corruption hello
Is the DPP under the influence of a third party? I thought he has the right to prosecute or discontinue without interference?
I have a read into the comment of the Governor, it plainly says you will be coming with charges, "developments"
The DPP does not have the testicular fortitude to do as the constitution states which is discontinue charges without being questioned by anyone, sir DPP you do not have to please the governor! A man called you into a meeting and after letting him know there is not sufficient evidence available bring charges, he told you to find some charges any charges. You are now fighting with your inner self, sir if there is no evidence no matter how much money has been spent by the government, bogus charges won't stick, pleasing the Governor does not cut it, DPP do not be bullied but the Governor of the Lucan Officers.
He who alleges must first prove, it is one thing to believe but another to prove in a court of law
Free the officers and go look for Morris and extradite him to the BVI to face charges of being an undesirable in the RVIPF.