Beautiful Virgin Islands

Friday, Apr 18, 2025

CoP Collins aiming to replace ‘Force’ with ‘Service’ in RVIPF

CoP Collins aiming to replace ‘Force’ with ‘Service’ in RVIPF

There have long been talks, including by legislators, to have the word ‘Force’ in Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) replaced with ‘Service’; however, Commissioner of Police Mark Collins is hoping this can be achieved during his tenure.

“It is indeed my hope that during my tenure we become a service, meaning that we would then become the RVIPS instead of a force. We are truly a service, we serve the community,” Mr Collins said during his remarks at the New Life Baptist Church (NLBC) Power Plus Conference on Sunday, October 9, 2022.

Among those in the congregation were Governor John J. Rankin, CMG, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), Deputy Governor David D. Archer Jr, Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police Jacqueline E. Vanterpool and other officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) who attended the church as part of Police Week.

Among those in the congregation were Governor John J. Rankin, CMG, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), Deputy Governor David D. Archer Jr, Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police Jacqueline E. Vanterpool and other officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) who attended the church as part of Police Week.


‘Making the right changes for the right reasons’


The theme for the celebrations this week is “Making the right changes for the right reasons.”

According to Collins, “And with 36 years of policing my philosophy is doing basic things brilliantly, getting things done right first time every time.”

He said that while the month of October is packed with many other symbolic activities, “This is a month when we as a territory stand in unison against domestic violence, a month for mental health awareness, among other significant social and medical maladies.

“But chief among the highlights for them is the celebration of the 55 years of the RVIPF as an independent body after severing ties with the Leeward Islands Police Force in 1967.”

In noting that the force has grown as a body of over 250 strong, Collins said, “When I look to the Premier and say that we have room to grow more. We got room to grow in human services, public service and other areas of police and we are aiming to get that just right.”

It was just about a week ago that Collins swore in thirty-two new recruits. Most were also present at the church service.

He said, “While serving, protecting and reassuring we found it necessary to take the time out this week to celebrate us, to bond to appreciate each other, to lift a little morale and we are making the momentous occasion with a weeklong celebration and we are doing it right here as we open with your church service here today.”

The RVIPF has struggled to gain public confidence over the years and recent scandals affecting the Force, including human smuggling, police officers arrested in drug busts, police using its vessels to do bar hopping and the recent controversial ‘Police in Paradise’ video, have not helped its reputation.


RVIPF’s struggles


The RVIPF has struggled to gain public confidence over the years and recent scandals affecting the Force, including human smuggling, police officers arrested in drug busts, police using its vessels to do bar hopping and the recent controversial ‘Police in Paradise’ video, have not helped its reputation.

Some believe the RVIPF, which is the responsibility of the Governor, should not have escaped the Commission of Inquiry (CoI). Some also believe CoP Collins should have been sent on leave during the investigation of the Police in Paradise video, which many believe sought to portray the VI wrongfully as a crime-infested and unsafe destination.

It remains to be seen whether the name change, if achieved, will make a difference to the RVIPF’s reputation.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
U.S. State Department Raises El Salvador’s Safety Ranking, Making It Safer Than France and Other European Nations
UK Government Assumes Control of British Steel's Scunthorpe Plant Amid Shutdown Threat
UK MP Wera Hobhouse Denied Entry to Hong Kong During Family Visit
Bangladesh Issues Arrest Warrant for UK MP Tulip Siddiq
China Urges United States to Cancel Tariffs Amid Escalating Trade Tensions
The Empire’s USD Pyramid Scheme Is Working Brilliantly—So Why ‘Fix’ It?
China Raises Tariffs on U.S. Goods to 125% Amid Escalating Trade Dispute
Elon Musk Reports $150 Billion in Projected Government Savings Amid Fraud Investigations
U.S. and Panama Finalize Defense Agreements Amid Canal Access and Chinese Influence Concerns
China Stands Firm Amidst Trade Disputes with the US: A Factual Analysis
U.S. Tariff Escalation Sparks Global Trade Tensions
Helicopter crashes in NYC with four people on board.
Australia Dismisses China's Suggestion to Collaborate Against US Tariffs
EU Postpones Response to US Tariffs
The Trump Administration is contemplating removing Chinese companies from U.S. stock exchanges.
Violent Incidents and Public Safety Concerns Escalate in London and County Durham
UK MP Arrested on Suspicion of Rape and Child Sex Offences
UK Gears Up to Respond to US Tariffs with Industrial Strategies and Trade Initiatives
‘Rocky’ star Dolph Lundgren and his wife Emma Krokdal bask in the Miami sunshine following the actor’s lengthy health struggles.
Spain Encounters Countrywide Protests as Housing Crisis Intensifies
Alisha Lehmann's Modeling Campaign and Public Controversy Stir Debate Ahead of UEFA Women's Euro
U.S. Firms with Major International Revenue Exposure in Light of New Tariffs
President Trump Calls on the Federal Reserve to Reduce Interest Rates in Light of New Tariffs
President Trump Prolongs TikTok Sale Deadline by 75 Days
Global Markets Dive Amid Rising U.S.-China Trade Conflicts
British comedian Russell Brand faces charges of rape and several sexual assaults.
Kanye West Reveals in a New Song That His Wife Bianca Censori Has Departed from Him
Actor Jean-Claude Van Damme Accused of Having Sex with Human Trafficking Victims
Tom Cruise Pays Tribute to Val Kilmer at CinemaCon
Europe Pursues Digital Autonomy Amidst Transatlantic Strains
OpenAI Lands Unprecedented $40 Billion Funding.
Charity Chairwoman Accuses Prince Harry of Bullying and Harassment
DOGE revealed that USAID provided $84 million to the Clinton Foundation. Of this amount, $3 million was spent on Chelsea Clinton's wedding, and $10 million was used to acquire a lavish mansion.
The State Department has announced the formal closure of USAID.
Apple's Innovation Deficit: Falling Behind in AI and Foldable Technology as Chinese Developments Progress
President Trump Proposes Military Intervention to Obtain Greenland
Passenger Taken into Custody After Engaging in Masturbation on SWISS Air Flight
Barcelona player Dani Alves found not guilty of rape accusations.
PUTIN'S LIMOUSINE DETONATES—SECURITY CHAOS ENSUES
French Foreign Ministry Denounces U.S. Interference in Corporate Diversity Initiatives
Copyright Issues Emerge as AI-Generated Studio Ghibli Images Gain Popularity
This is what we refer to as CREATIVITY.
Removing the Political Opponent Means Dismissing the Remnants of Turkey's Economy.
Malaysia Strengthens Semiconductor Regulations in Response to U.S. Pressure to Restrict AI NVIDIA Chip Exports to China.
OpenAI Launches New Image Generation Tool for ChatGPT
Ex-FIFA President and French Football Icon Acquitted of Corruption Allegations
National Security Advisor Mike Waltz Under Investigation After Journalist Added to Secret Military Chat
Ex-Business Partner of Hunter Biden Discusses Possible Pardon from President Trump
U.S. Attorney General Announces Task Force to Prosecute Government Fraud
American Brands Face Consumer Boycott in Europe Amid Escalating Trade and Political Tensions
×