‘We need the Police Act to come back to’ HoA ‘for passage’- Gov Rankin
![Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) had said in February 2023 that Members of the House of Assembly have engaged the BVI Bar Association, individual lawyers, concerned citizens, and a number of other stakeholders and the concerns are consistent enough to warrant that the bill [Police Act 2023] not be passed in its current form. Photo: GIS/File](https://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/cache/images/800x_3_385895902_714616297367181_4120328480709907692_n.jpg)
Mr Rankin used the opportunity to appeal for the passage of the controversial bill at a press conference called by the National Security Council (NSC) on October 12, 2023.
The press conference was called in the wake of the disturbance at Elmore Stoutt High School and the shooting of a prison officer in East End.
“We have to make sure that the RVIPF has the necessary powers to carry out their responsibilities, which is why we need the Police Act to come back to the House of Assembly for passage,” Governor Rankin stated.
The Governor also reiterated that, despite the concerns, he is committed to protecting the human rights of individuals within this territory.
“Contrary to what some say, the act is compliant with international human rights standards. It would not have my support if that were not the case,” Mr Rankin claimed.
Concerns with the bill
In Section 27-35 which deals with fingerprints, foot impressions and DNA, concerns were raised that the Bill essentially allows the police to take fingerprints of a person without consent in almost every imaginable circumstance, without a warrant for the same.
The Governor had previously defended that DNA and fingerprinting can be carried out and if that is used... for example to catch a rapist, “I make no apology for that,” he said despite the potential for abuse.
Meanwhile, Section 36 of the same Bill will allow for the police to search persons in their dwellings without a warrant, if they have reasonable grounds for believing that the person does not live there or does not have permission to be there.
Section 38 will allow a police officer to search the home of someone who is arrested on an arrestable offense without a warrant, even without that person being present. This provision should frighten the public on the face of it, according to one local activist.
Governor Rankin, speaking at a press conference on February 14, 2023, added, “With regards to going to a house without a warrant, sometimes in an emergency situation that will self-evidently be required. If the police have reason to believe that a serious crime is going to be committed, if someone is going to be subject of a violent assault or a murder, then the police need to act to protect the individual,” he said.
The Police Act, 2023 had its first reading on Thursday, February 2, 2023, in the HoA, sparking an immediate public backlash.
Public backlash
Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) said Members of the House of Assembly have engaged the BVI Bar Association, individual lawyers, concerned citizens, and a number of other stakeholders and the concerns are consistent enough to warrant that the bill not be passed in its current form.
Dr Wheatley had also expressed concern that the public was not privy to and did not request certain amendments that had shown up in the draft bill, which was subsequently gazetted for public review.
Additionally, local police officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) claimed to not have seen the version of the bill that made it to the HoA.
The bill seeks to repeal and replace the Police Act (Revised Edition 2013) and to make provision for matters including the Powers, Duties and Privileges of Police Officers; Police Bail and Breaches and Police Property.
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68 Responses to “‘We need the Police Act to come back to’ HoA ‘for passage’- Gov Rankin”
Because this untrustworthy governor looking more power to ab*** bl***$
1) Initiated a non transparent, racially bias, predetermined, and non-independent COI. This gives them a "so-called" transparent independent report to work from when in fact it is their doing and it is not independent. They called the COI. They high handedly hire a specific person to get a specific outcome with no transparent hiring or selection process. They wrote the terms of reference. They used their staff to assist the COI Commissioner. They influenced the report. It was all them but they take us for fools. This was and still is a set up.
2) They knew before hand what the recommendations were so they ran to implement an order in council to suspend the constitution if all their preauthored 48 recommendations are not implemented within their ridiculous and unreasonable deadlines. Knowing full well it cannot be achieved and most of the 48 recommendations are not in the best interest of the people and economy of the BVI. Knowing full well the BVI people will object to some of them including this high handed police act. In addition since when a judge has the experience of running a country to write 48 recommendations which are non negotiable to run a country and dictate they must be accepted wholesale. This is a clear set up.
These actions need to be fought in the courts. They are behaving as if the only rights the people of the BVI have is what they allow.
BVI it is time for action as they do not intend to stop.
You can watch this man's face and see rac**. You can see he thinks we are fools and only he and who he sanctions have integrity and the knowledge to run a country. This is a real case of bullying.
1) Use the crime and corruption card and play it to the fullest even without evidence so they can put white UK people at almost every senior government position such as Head of prison, police, customs, immigration, permanent secretaries, AG, DPP, and HOA. In this way they can abort all attempts for independence and easily get rid of anyone who opposes they wicked plots.
2) Use immigration to give the 5 million UK residents the rights to automatically be belongeres in the BVI so they can flood the country with like minds. They will have the numbers to run and win elections and get a white UK Premier, Ministers and entire HOA body. They can then control the people and laws. This is the real reason why the Governor is pushing the belongers issue and trying to violate kur rights with a high handed police act.
3) Make sure Customs, Immigration, and many other subjects like crown lands fall directly under the Governor. This will give them total dominance.
I will stop there for now but just like the outcome of their COI was predictable so is this review he is doing of law enforcement and crime in the BVI. These people think nothing of us. Our leaders need to do a better job of educating the population and standing up for our rights. These people want financial services and finance and the country but without the people. It is time for a modern day positive action movement. It is time for BVI to unite to preserve our future and heritage.
PLAN #1 --- Attempt a bloodless takeover by having the local government kill themselves and the their people by implementing without debate or adjustments all of the 48 preauthoured by UK COI recommendations. Most of them are set up to allow the UK to run the show by way of how they are written. The elected official will just be a figure head if that at all. One thing for sure the people of the BVI will suffer as the UK will bring in all white UK people to takeover all top government public service and security positions and more thereafter. This way they do not have to use the order in council to suspend the constitution.
PLAN #2: Implements the suspension of the constitution if they meet any resistance and claim it is because the local government refused to implement all the preauthoured UK written 48 recommendations they claim will ensure good governance but rather is an oppression of a people cloaked as good governance. Then the UK will run the show with their people & by way of how they wrote the recommendations. The elected officials will be no more and neither will democracy in a pure form . One thing for sure the people of the BVI will suffer as the UK will bring in all white UK people and put in all top government public service and security positions and more thereafter. What we will realize is life will not get better for the average person but worse. But it will be too late when most local people realizes this.
PLAN #3: Pressure the local government to get many belonger status to the people waiting like what the Governor is pressuring to do now. But this is not with any good heart to the Caribbean people. The UK will use this opportunity to flood the BVI with white UK residents to significantly out number the locals and Caribbean people. The UK will then have the numbers to ensure a prominently white VI population with an all white elected government and a white Premier who is really themselves as they will have the numbers to do it. They will use the UK Commissioner to do a series of arrest whether justified or not to instill fear and try to eliminate any local or Caribbean person who rises up against them. Of course independence will always be voted down as they will be in charge and it will never be in their best interest as they will have the Financial Service Industry and Finance. The local people will only be talking about how BVI use to be and they will still have us blaming each other because of how well organized they are doing their plans and actions as is the case now.
BVI & Caribbean people now is not the time to fight each other. Government & Opposition now is not the time to fight each other. Now is the time to unite. Ensure transparency and accountability without destroying the economy and livelihood of your people and local businesses by turning it over to the wicked people with their wicked plot at hand cloaked as otherwise. If we do not unite and get serious about it we will become prisoners in our own beloved BVI. It is time to chart a way and deadline for independence. It is time to take & make the next step. Do not mind those who want everything perfect before we move because we will never achieve that as the UK to this day has not as well as no other country is perfect. Let us also start praying mixed with action.
Let that be that.
The LAW as it applies to everyone in the BVI. Does not matter where you from there is one law for everyone.
The LAW needs to be updated as there has been increased organised crime in the BVI which needs to be addressed. Why would the house of assemble object to improving the Law to protect everyone in the BVI and hold illegal activity accountable.
"claims act is compliant with international human rights standards"
With all due respect, it would not be wise to have someone's house/apartment searched without him/her being present. Common sense suggests that, at such time a corrupt officer can use that opportunity to plant FALSE EVIDENCE!