Beautiful Virgin Islands

Thursday, Jul 10, 2025

Limited intel sharing, distrust across law enforcement agencies

Limited intel sharing, distrust across law enforcement agencies

Police Commissioner Mark Collins has revealed that there is a lack of trust between law enforcement agencies in the BVI. He said this lack of trust hampers effective collaboration.

Collins said he has had discussions with Chief Immigration Officer Ian Penn and Commissioner of Customs Wade Smith, and found that part of the distrust comes because of fears that intelligence shared between the organisations might be leaked.

“We’ve discussed – certainly myself, Mr Penn and Mr Wade [Smith] about a joint intelligence unit for the Joint Task Force. We need to further that and make that happen. But there is a reluctance, I think, to share some intelligence, for reasons of that intelligence being divulged and information being divulged. It’s a concern,” he said while giving oral evidence to the Commission of Inquiry (COI) this week.

The top cop said he believes the crux of the issue comes down to vetting of law enforcement agents — not just within the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF), but also across other law enforcement arms in the territory.

“If we are going to operate at that level and trust people, we need to be assured that they are vetted to those levels and we’ve got trust and confidence in them as an individual to function in those roles,” Collins shared.

Cultural resistance and lack of training


He described intelligence sharing important and further noted that he did not share the belief that opportunities are maximised around prison intelligence, in particular.

The Police Chief also said there is an overall lack of information sharing across all agencies and departments. He said this is impeded by the fact that computers systems are not linked.

“There are outdated working practices. We are still working on paper files, with many agencies still only accepting paper files and reports — with the exception of the FIA.”

“I also believe that culturally, there is a huge resistance to change – ‘we have always done it like that’ appears to be the attitude within the BVI … There is a complete lack of training within the RVIPF and other agencies,” he said. “I am constantly being asked about opportunities for local officers within the organisation.”

The Commissioner added that a number of officers appear to have the capacity and capability to develop but just do not have the training and experience.

“Again, this all needs to be funded and that funding is not forthcoming. Our investigations seem to be DPP-led and not police led due to a lack of knowledge.”

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years
US Imposes New Tariffs on Brazilian Exports Amid Political Tensions
Azerbaijan and Armenia are on the brink of a historic peace deal.
Emails Leaked: How Passenger Luggage Became a Side Income for Airport Workers
Polish MEP: “Dear Leftists - China is laughing at you, Russia is laughing, India is laughing”
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Weinstein Victim’s Lawyer Says MeToo Movement Still Strong
U.S. Enacts Sweeping Tax and Spending Legislation Amid Trade Policy Shifts
Football Mourns as Diogo Jota and Brother André Silva Laid to Rest in Portugal
Labour Expected to Withdraw Support for Special Needs Funding Model
Leaked Audio Reveals Tory Aide Defending DEI Record
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
London Stock Exchange Faces Historic Low in Initial Public Offerings
A new online platform has emerged in the United Kingdom, specifically targeting Muslim men seeking virgin brides
Trump Celebrates Independence Day with B-2 Flyover and Signs Controversial Legislation
Boris Johnson Urges Conservatives to Ignore Farage
SNP Ordered to Update Single-Sex Space Guidance Within Days
Starmer Set to Reject Calls for Wealth Taxes
Stolen Century-Old Rolls-Royce Recovered After Hotel Theft
Macron Presses Starmer to Recognise Palestinian State
Labour Delayed Palestine Action Ban Over Riot Concerns
Swinney’s Tax Comments ‘Offensive to Scots’, Say Tories
High Street Retailers to Enforce Bans on Serial Shoplifters
Music Banned by Henry VIII to Be Performed After 500 Years
Steve Coogan Says Working Class Is Being ‘Ethnically Cleansed’
Home Office Admits Uncertainty Over Visa Overstayer Numbers
JD Vance Questions Mandelson Over Reform Party’s Rising Popularity
Macron to Receive Windsor Carriage Ride in Royal Gesture
Labour Accused of ‘Hammering’ Scots During First Year in Power
BBC Head of Music Stood Down Amid Bob Vylan Controversy
Corbyn Eyes Hard-Left Challenge to Starmer’s Leadership
London Tube Trains Suspended After Major Fire Erupts Nearby
Richard Kemp: I Felt Safer in Israel Under Attack Than in the UK
Cyclist Says Police Cited Human Rights Act for Riding No-Handed
China’s Central Bank Consults European Peers on Low-Rate Strategies
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Musk Battles to Protect Tesla Amid Trump Policy Threats
Air France-KLM Acquires Majority Stake in Scandinavian Airlines
UK Educators Sound Alarm on Declining Child Literacy
Shein Fined €40 Million in France Over Misleading Discounts
Brazil’s Lula Visits Kirchner During Argentina House Arrest
Trump Scores Legislative Win as House Passes Tax Reform Bill
Keir Starmer Faces Criticism After Rocky First Year in Power
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Political Dispute Escalates Between Trump and Musk
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
×