Violent crimes on the rise in the VI – COP Morris

- COP reinstitutes Officers’ parade; will now be held quarterly

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COP David Morris said that there is much more work to be done by the officers especially with the noticeable rise in violent crimes. Photo: VINO

Commissioner of Police Mr David Morris has reinstituted the RVIPF Dress Parade which will now be held quarterly. Photo: VINO

COP David Morris reintroduced the parade after an absence of some time due to many challenges that have been facing the force including the shortage of Officers. Photo: VINO

RVIPF Officers dress parade held on Friday November 8, 2013 at the Road Town Police Station. Photo: VINO

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – “We are detecting a lot more violent crimes, so we still have a lot more work to do.” So said Commissioner of Police (COP) David Morris yesterday November 8, 2013 as he addressed Officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) at a dress parade held at the Road Town Police Station.

While commending the officers for their commitment and hard work done over the past months, he emphasized the need for them to work even harder especially as there has been a recognized increase in violent crimes across the Territory. Other simpler crimes of burglary and others have seen a significant reduction in the number of reported cases.

The COP reintroduced the parade after an absence of some time due to many challenges that have been facing the force including the shortage of Officers. The officers were inspected and addressed by David Morris and were challenged about a number of housekeeping matters.

According to COP Morris officers needed to be reminded of their roles in serving the community and the standards internally, including “trusting each other and ensuring that we support each other with the work that we do in keeping with the constitution,” said Morris.

“We are coming to the festive season where we’ll be having a lot more events going on. We are stretched in terms of providing policing for those events but we still need to protect the public as well as we have the tourists coming in,” said Morris.

Prior to becoming dormant, the parade was held annually. However, according to the COP, they have recognized the importance of keeping a tighter check on the Officers, reminding them of their role and having them tighten on housekeeping matters. The parade will now be held quarterly.

“Over the years the parade has dropped off because of the stretch on the force in terms of resources and a lot of other events and duties such as court, the protection of judges, VIPs, the government and that sort of thing. So we are bringing it back in just to ensure that we maintain our standards,” said Morris.

He said that the parade also gives the officers a chance to meet and fellowship with each other since they are usually stretched out across the territory and seldom get the opportunity to associate in one place.

34 Responses to “Violent crimes on the rise in the VI – COP Morris”

... (09/11/2013, 09:16) Like (5) Dislike (7) Reply
He has learned well from the NDP lots of fluff, public relations and ceremony but no action!
- farmenr brown (09/11/2013, 14:22) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
  well maybe they have the same consultants
police officer west end (09/11/2013, 09:45) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
Good job david
Blind Man (09/11/2013, 10:01) Like (5) Dislike (7) Reply
I really cant see how a stupid quartely parade could help reduce crime?
pat (09/11/2013, 10:36) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
The officers will have to think about turning in their cousins and family members if they want to be good cops. No passes for criminals!
MR.STOUTT (09/11/2013, 11:35) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
There is a concern, I was passing in the area of FINE FOOD SUPERMARKET in East End and saw the police officers who have been suspended ARRESTING A MAN and had him well beat up. I stopped and looked and had to ask myself a question is this legal ? These guys have no regard for the law in this country.As far as I'm concern they are not in the line of duty until the case is finished and should not have the power to arrest anyone, if the guy did something call the police who are on duty.
- Locall made (10/11/2013, 09:10) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
  Seems to me like you really have something against these guys. So what are you saying, if something is taking place in their presence and need immediate attention they should turn a blind eye and call the police, who would take probably another 10 minutes before they arrive? You never heard about citizens arrest? Had it been a family member of yours being affected, you would be singing a different tune, you hypocrites.
- Mr Stoutt,I read the law (10/11/2013, 19:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
  That is why I believe in a free and democratic bvi and I like this news site for publishing good bloggs on social matters:
  Mr.Stoutt; To help you understand your concerns,I Legal Team read the law in the Police Act,as it relates to police officers on suspension or interfiction:Do they still have powers of arrest? yes:
  Section 35 (4) of the police act,cap.165 laws of the bvi
  (a) states""The powers,privileges and benefits vested on him[a police officer] by virtue of his office are in abeyance [in balance] during the period of interdiction;and
  (b) The inspector or member of the force of lower rank remains subject to the same responsibilities,penalties and to the same authority as if he had not been interdicted""
  So according to BVI law,an officer who is on suspension remains an officer with powers of arrest:
  However,where posible the officer should avoid making such arrest,if help from other officers can be reached on time,But the officer still have lawful authority to make an arrest as a police officer or even as a citizen or lawful resident.
  You say the officer had the person well beat up.Well be a good citizen,go and make a statement to the cop and be a witness against the officer; because people like to accuse police,then run away when it is time to be a witness for the crown.The same way you blogg,go and blogg in a witness statement!
  Keep on blogging,it's your rights to blogg and criticise..
wise up (09/11/2013, 11:52) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
Question to the COP; when the officers “parading” who will be on duty fighting crime-there is already a lack of manpower rather that fighting crime the COP is taking them of active duty for let’s say 60-minutes for parade duty; one other comment; and i am simply speaking about the road town area; during the day police all over the place issuing traffic tickets but after the sun set there are no officers on duty in the road town area; criminal activity usually occurs during the dark hours and as i said during the day road town is filled with police, at times 4 of them in 1 vehicle (which i finds to stupid 4 police in one vehicle)...i think an officer can be placed at strategic point while on duty should he need assistance them call for back-up BUT 4 officer one place is bull...we want to see police in uniform in the road town area during the hours of darkness; we want to see the police patrolling our villages; the presence of police works wonders
- Yes (09/11/2013, 14:19) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
  They're like chickens...when night comes you cannot find them.
  - wise up (09/11/2013, 18:25) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    LOL; i agree with you 100% BUT school-children say when night falls the police are at the station playing dominos or in some other man’s house......
    - The Media (10/11/2013, 09:14) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      @Wise up
      Not in another man's, in your house and that's why you have a problem with them. You need to pay attention to your own pot on the fire before it get burn.
      - wise up (12/11/2013, 00:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        to "the Media" keep dreaming lad !!!!...."your child" might just be "mine".....do the DNA !!!!!
OK wait for it! (09/11/2013, 12:02) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
And here comes the blame the NDP crusade in 3...2.....1.....
- @ OK wait for it! (10/11/2013, 08:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
  go hide yourself
KnightRider & Legal Team (09/11/2013, 13:02) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
Let me thank Her Majesty-The Queen,for declaring that Her BVI is a free and democratic territory,with a V.I Constitution,and let me than VINO for being a democratic news site to publish the bloggers views...

Let us read the Oath made by all police officers before their service to Her Majesty-The Queen:

Mr Morris,SIR: read carefully:

Section 13 paragraph 1 of the Schedule-Laws of the BVI:These are sworn words of Her Majesty's Officer--

I [officer's name inserted] Do swear/affirm that I will well and truly serve Our Sovereign Lady the Queen,Her Heirs and Successors as a member of the Police Force in the Territory of the Virgin Islands without Favor or affection,malice or ill-will;and that I will cause Her Majesty's peace to be preserved,and will prevent to the utmost of my power,offences against the same;and that,during any time that I do or may hereafter hold any appointment in the Police Force I will to the best of my knowledge and skill discharge all the duties thereof faithfully according to law". Did you read the Oath of office?

Let me continue to pray for god's blessings over these Royal police officers of Her Majesty's Police Force,who made the above Oath to serve Her Majesty because these brave Royal officers continue to work hard to preserve Her Majesty's Peace,as stipulated in the Oath made by these loyal officers-to serve and protect:
And all the Evil forces who plan Evil and hateful thoughts agains them,will face evil too.
My Spiritual teachings taught me,that who do evil will face evil..

And let me thank the Commissioner of Police and other senior ranks of Her Majesty's RVIPF for their leadership qualities and guidance shown to these Royal officers of Her Majesty:

This is a very good incentive and initiative by the Commissioner of Police and he must be commended for his efforts in his fight against violent crime in the BVI: But,who is on the frontline?The Junior Officer:

So what happens when you send Her Majesty's Royal Officers out there to fight violent crime and they get injured in the line of duty and sick from stress,from this dangerous job?

Section 4 of Her Majesty's Police Act,declared that it is their Statutory Duties to fight Crime in the BVI!
They must protect Her Majesty's Citizens,residents and visitors: I quite agree,it's the law:

Her Majesty-The Queen also made a law for Her Police Officers to get quick access to medical attention in Her BVI and outside the BVI:His Excellency-The Governor at the time,assent to that Law on behalf of Her Majesty,after the law was passed by BVI Parliament and revised in the 1991!

C.O.P Malone wrote to HE Savage in the year 2000, on that law to re-emphasise its enforcement:

Well Mr. Morris,you MUST follow and obey BVI Law sir,and you MUST fight for the officers welfare and well-being as written in Her Majesty's BVI Law-book-The Police Act-section 75..

Let me call on the Lord-God to give the C.O.P and the SMT wisdom,knowledge and understanding,that they the senior officers will follow the law in the police Act-Laws of the Virgin Islands,and that they-the senior officers will not be influenced by policies from other Government Departments to have effect over police officers,in CONTRAVENTION of section 75 of the police Act,where serving officers of Her Majesty's Police Force,continue to face difficulties accessing medical attention because of UNLAWFUL medical Insurance Policies!

Let me read section 75 of the Police Act-Laws of the V.I to Mr David Morris:-

The Law-Her Majesty's Laws, section 75 of the Act states-
"Hospital treatment and medical attention at Government expense-
(1) All members of the Force are entiltled to hospital treatment and medical and surgical attention-
(a)Within the Territory,if the treatment is immediately available in the Territory;
(b)Outside the Territory,if the treatment is not immediately available in the Territory;
AND THE COST OF THE TREATMENT AND ATTENTION IS A CHARGE ON THE CONSOLIDATED FUND".
That is what Her Majesty-The Queen declared in Her BVI Police Act!

Mr.Morris;
Where is it written in the above BVI-Law that Her Majesty's Police Officers require an Insurance Card from an Insurance Company to access medical attention?Show me the law,I want to read it...

The BVI Law that I read from the law-book declared that medical treatment and attention is a charge on the "Consolidated Fund". Police Officers operate under the Police Act and Police Regulations!

The Attorney General is the "Principal Legal Advisor" to the Government,as declared in subsection (2) of section 58 of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order 2007..OK:

C.O.P Morris, Call on the A.G to advise you on section 75 of the police Act! You people are too law-less!!!!

Long live the BVI and RVIPF and God bless the beautiful and wonderful people of the BVI..
- Observer (09/11/2013, 23:16) Like (2) Dislike (5) Reply
  This man obviously has a HUGE chip on his shoulder. If he does does not get over his resentment and animosity he will die a very bitter and unhappy person. Where did he study by the way?? He probably wishes he had studied law.
  PS: "God" is ALWAYS written with a CAPITAL "G", unless you are talking about a lesser "god"!
  - 2 hole (10/11/2013, 20:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    dig 2 holes observer1 4 you and 1 4 your family. who say someone hav to study law to write law,if you study law,you will not die.bitter about what,,you know how you will die,,you sound bitter with the man commentss,,you people ar so low that is why lawyers does tief ah you money.i agree with the man blass morris with his nonesense hav dem police on a stupid parde.this man never met morris or work with him for what i know,is the bloody truth and the law he keep embarassing them with.what animosity,a man who retire and traveling the world having fun,,is morris who put news for us to read and ppl hav to blogg
  - animosity (11/11/2013, 07:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    observer,so bcuz there is this gentleman who read the law and wrote it in a blog and the man seems not to be a fan of morris and the rest of them who dont believe in law,you find the man have resentment and animosity.you ever hear this man take a weapon to hurt anybody? so all them politician and other people in the community who oppose each other and have all the talkshow host who criticise people and all in the house of assembly people critcise you call that animosity.what make you think the man is bitter and unhappy,all police officers study law and nobody know who is your god,u want to predict how someone will die,u people have lost your thinking
    i agree with the gentleman on how he explain the law on medical treatment for police and who have to pay,when pc patrice grant take up a gun and go and shoot cop barry webb in 2004,that was a case of animosity and resentment but i heard the rider once saying dont take weapons to fight a case,take the law and let the court decide,you looking at a man with that concept of the law and bcuz you hate him you saying he have animosity,may be you read to many articles of his on the law
    mr morris said that he come to weed out the undesirable in the force,that is a statement of animosity bcuz he didnt know the officers but call us undesirables,he never apologise for the statement
- to Nightrider (10/11/2013, 21:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
  This site says comments not articles.
Police Tribunal (09/11/2013, 18:41) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
It is one thing to call on the police to go out and do a good job but what about the welfare of the police,without police all hell would break loose in tortola,give dem bahyz a littl raise or when dem off they have to make a little pat time,man have to eat and feed dem family
wise man (10/11/2013, 06:15) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
well Mr Knight alot of these officers and i mean even the senior ones don't know that because they don't read, i am very familiar with those section you mentioned, they are on the books and was not amended SO ITS JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE ONE OF THESE OFFICERS TAKE SOME ONE BEFORE THE COURTS.
protect (10/11/2013, 09:28) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
some people have their personal beef with individual police and want to say bad and negative things about them like supa cop but as a country we have to swallow our pride and support the police bcuz without them all them criminals would feed on our money good and on people.if it have law there to safegard them i dont see why the commish cant look out for the officers and to make sure their right to free medicals is protected base on what the law say and not on some other policy from maybe human resource deptment,the commish should stand up with the governor if them officer take a oath to work for the queen then the queen rep should ensure the law that favor them is obey
hard times (10/11/2013, 10:19) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
@ knight rider. Thanks again for your knowledge of the Laws of the BVI.
It is my understanding that medical costs for Police Officers remain free, though as you have pointed out are now linked to a medical insurance scheme. This is not perfect as upfront costs are incurred prior to claiming the money back, but it remains free.
There are many businesses and persons suffering at the moment and The Police like others will have to do more with less resources. The Police also need to be seen to be value for money especially when others don't have the luxury of free medical.
It is better to be constructive with knowledge rather than be negative.
- hard times? (10/11/2013, 16:28) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
  This will be my final blogg from knight rider on this topic,because everytime I express my freedom on this democratic news site,someone forget the topic and focus on me:If I chose to be negative as say,is it a criminal offence?
  I don't tell people what to write;people chose to hide behind bloggnames,that's their right.
  I don't support bloggers or agree or disagree and no one should support me:I don't want support:support the daam law.
  I live my life,with guidance from the power of the holy spirit lead by God and when god is ready for me,I will live this world with goodness and respect for law and order..
  My earthly sins have been forgiven,my sins are not worse than any body's
  Take your ideas to the COP and The Governor
  They are the ones in public life in the police force
  I am just an ordinary citizen,blogging like any one else.
  Thank you VINO,I will wait to read your next topic...
Legal Team & the police Act (10/11/2013, 16:14) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
Thank you again VINO for your open democracy on social issues in this Free & Democratic Territory of the BVI..
Today during church service,I took a moment of silence to focus on the brave members of Her Majesty's Police Force and the sacrifice that they make every day to protect the life of others and to defend this beautiful territory,
And to realise that the COP is parading Her Majesty's Police Officers,for photographic attention, to make a name for himself,while the WELFARE of Her Majesty's Royal Police Officers are not being addressed!

I prayed that God will protect our police officers from evil! Her Majesty-The Queen must be pleased with them for preserving Her-peace,Her citizens and Her BVI..

Long before Mr.David Morris became the COP,parliament passed the Police Act,which the Governor assent to on behalf of Her Majesty; so let us read two important sections in the BVI Statutory Laws-sections 4 & 21 of the Police Act,Chapter 165-Law of the BVI:

Section 4 [Objects of the force states:-

(1) The objects of the Force are-
(a) The maintenance of law and order
(b) The preservation of peace[Her Majesty's Peace]
(c) THE DEFENCE OF THE TERRITORY FROM EXTERNAL AGGRESSION or THREAT thereof
(d) The Protection of LIFE and PROPERTY [The life of everyone in the BVI]
(e) The prevention and detection of Crime,and
(f) The enforcement of ALL LAWS that it is required to enforce""..

""Section 21 Duties of the Force-declared by parliament states:-

The general duties of EVERY MEMBER of the the Force-

(a) To preserve the peace,prevent and detect crimes and other breaches of the Law....""

And there are other duties defined...

My point to COP David Morris is on a Point-of-LAW: Not a point of distructive criticism,because I will encourage Her Majesty's Police Officer,to respect authority in the force and follow discipline..

But here we have section 75 of the same police Act,which parliament also passed into LAW,declaring to the COP and Police Administration,that ["The cost of Medical treatment and Medical attention is a charge on the Consolidated Funds"] Her Majesty's Consolidated Funds!

The Law did not call on Her Majesty's Police Officers to pay for medical attention from their own money,under any circumstance!!!!

How can you have Her Majesty's Police Officers,paying for medical attention from their own money & pocket,and then have them applying to get refund from Government? How dare you!

They obeyed section 4 and section 21 of the Police Act. They made an Oath to preserve Her Majesty's Peace,and they are preserving the peace!The officers are following the LAW:

It is now for you-COP David Morris,to follow BVI law [section 75 of the Act] to ensure that you put administrative measures and mechanism in place for the Government to pre-pay for the Medical Attention for Her Majesty's Police Officers from the Consolidated Funds:

Not from Medical Insurance! Medical Insurance is other Government workers and General Orders Policy:

The officers are doing a good job for Her Majesty's Territory-BVI according to the Police Act-BVI Laws!

What are you doing for them, Mr.David Morris under the same Police Act-BVI Law?
Comedy (10/11/2013, 16:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
The truth is the BVI is overwhelmed with all types of crime
undesirables (10/11/2013, 18:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
when dis man morris come the dcp i believe in 2010 he tell the news ppl he come to weed out them undesirble from the force.the bloggest hard time should blog in and tel us the news if calling policemen names like that is negative or positive.the bloggest who write about the law dident say nothing negative about mr morris he write what he read in the law and tell moris the law going both ways so i have to agree if the law say what the oficers hav to do in there duty then morris have to do what the law say for them to we want to see police out in the streets all this showing off on tv just to read what morris say ent mean a ting.let them police go work hard and if them get hurt or sick the law say consolidate fund there to pay for them medical bills..insurance law may be for other govment worker as i see it in the law i just read.undesrable
de law (10/11/2013, 20:31) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
adolph hitler had friends and military personnel who supported him with cruel genocide during world war 2.so you will find officers who will support mr morris for promotion and easier working condition.i will take the side of de law as a businessman i want to know police around to look out.in bvi we dont even know what we want because when criminal are caught by police we condem the criminal and prasie the police on the other hand we criticise police for no reason,my main concern is if the law say the medical bills for the police is a payment from the consolidated fund,the police should not have to push there hand in pocket to pay and then ask for refund.the same how the cop want them to do there duty is the same how he should make sure if they get in a accident on the job or fall sick the law say if they go to doctor for treatment is the consolidated fund to pay,that is plain and simple,de law
Stay British (10/11/2013, 21:17) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
Police need to be recruited locally and from other British Caribbean territories: Cayman, Turks & Cacus, Bermuda, Anguilla and Montserrat.
Real (10/11/2013, 21:29) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
All police stations in the Virgin Islands should be open 24 hours. Crime don't stop at 5 or 8 or 9 o'clock and start back at 8:30 a.m. Member of the public should be able to walk into a police station at anytime. A police station should not be set up to safe guard the police welfare, while leaving the public at risk of being killed right inside the police station. Any body running me the last place I would run is inside the police station, the person is likely to corner me in there and do what ever they want to me, while I waiting for the police to buzz me in (if they decide to).
officer on parade (11/11/2013, 07:42) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
I work the night shift and i patrol all night.we dont have a problem doing all what the public want us to do and all what the cop tell us to but some of you behave as thogh police is not human being it is true we take a oath to protect and serve but we complain that we have some rights like easy access to medical treatment,working condition,vehicle and more and we facing hurtles to get the treatment because of this insurance thing.one officer had cancel a medical appointment because he had no money to pay at the time now we seeing that a law in the police book saying is consolidted fund that have to pay.on the parade the cop didnt address many complaints because he didnt want to media to know.he only talk about what he wanted the media to publish.thanks to the many people who support the little police officer on the ground.
BRONZE NAZARETH (11/11/2013, 09:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
And you believe a fresh crop of "FLASH LIGHT" cops going to help? FOH
Knigt Rider (11/11/2013, 18:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
Vino,thanks for allowing so many bloogers to blog on my bloggs and to criticise me when they chose to do whether for good or evil;on your free and democratic news site,in this free and democratic BVI of Her Majesty-The Queen.My mom who read the bloggs has declared me the most popular blogger on Vino: And that is what retirees like me do;just blogg!Thanks again for your open democracy..
I that you have a new headline with Alwin James as DCP.May be allowed to blogg on that topic too?

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Violent crimes on the rise in the VI – COP Morris

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