RVIPF divided based on nationality of officers
Skelton-Cline's comments came during a special Wednesday, April 21, 2021, edition of his ‘Honestly Speaking’ show on ZBVI 780 AM.
Honestly Speaking radio host, Claude O.
Skelton-Cline has called 'unacceptable' some alleged divisions within
the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF), based on the nationality
of the officers recruited to serve as police officers.
More unity needed in RVIPF
“I’m hearing this debate often, a lot of police are regional neighbours from across the Caribbean… there’s a couple of things that concerns me as I gleaned from the sentiments of others, you got to have one police force.
“You can’t have a police force with all kinds of cliques based upon what island nation you are from, and then you are protecting only the people who are from the island nation you are from,” Skelton-Cline said.
The commentator and clergyman said some officers are allegedly using poor compensation as a legitimate proposition for not doing their job.
“On top of that, the quality of the officers that are being recruited is concerning to me, all kinds of other privileges including Belongership are afforded to police officers after a period of time when they come here,” he said.
The man of the cloth also alleged that
there is a lack of community policing in the Virgin Islands be it foot,
horseback or motorcycle and called for more to be done.
Community policing dead - Skelton-Cline
The man of the cloth also alleged there is a lack of community policing in the Virgin Islands, be it on foot, horseback or motorcycle, and called for more to be done.
“So, the police only show up, as most police do, when the deed is done… this is unacceptable,” he said.
According to Skelton-Cline, violent crime continues to run rampant in the VI due to a deterioration of moral and ethical values.
He called on Governor John J. Rankin CMG, Premier Andrew A, Fahie (R1), Commissioner of Police Mark Collins, and all those who sit on the National Security Council, as well as ordinary VI citizens, to work towards restoring the territory to a safer place.
