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by pltm
Pleased with all the work and advancements the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force is making, Commissioner of Police, Mr. Micheal Matthews shared that he is sensing a good shift in the Virgin Islands as it relates to the relationship between civilians and the force.
The Commissioner made his observations known while speaking at a church service at the New Testament Church Of God Worship Centre yesterday, February 26. The service officially kicked off the force's year-long celebratory events for the 50th anniversary of the force becoming an independent constabulary.
In his remarks, the Commissioner shared that during the course of his 10 months in the position, he has learnt to stay away from the blogs of various news sites, adding that they are usually riddled with negative comments.
(PLTM) - However, with a smile, the Commissioner noted that 2017 seems to be a much brighter year, as the people of the Virgin Islands are now wising up and standing side to side with the force and its officers, on the streets and in the blogs.
“I’m sensing a shift in this atmosphere, especially in this new year 2017. I’m sensing a good shift. I sense a more vocal intolerance to lawlessness and refusal to make excuses or defend disrespect.”
As it relates to the blogs on various media sites, the Commissioner stated, “I’m seeing a change. I’m starting to see people say ‘hang on a minute, we need to support our police, they do a difficult job to keep us safe with the resources they got.”
With this shift, he highlighted that examples are set, adding that younger persons of the community now have actions and a mindset to be motivated by and are guided properly.
“I see many good rewards coming from this shift. Working together, the streets will get safer and crime will decrease.”
In words of encouragement, he added, “I do sense a change because the communities of the Territory are standing side by side with the force. The people are the police and the police are the people. We come from the communities and we represent the communities, and we work for and with the communities.”
Day In Day Out
Governor of the Territory, His Excellency John Duncan was also on hand to offer congratulatory remarks and words of assurance and wisdom to both the officers and the people of the community.
In summarization of the aim of the local force, the Governor shared that their efforts are inevitably to protect persons from the wicked, noting that this is performed to the best of their ability.
He went on to highlight how much things have changed in the last fifty years, all while assuring persons that the force has advanced and will continue to do so for the betterment of the Territory and the safety of its people.
“Take a step back and pay attention to all that was done and where the force is today. We are one of the safest islands in the entire Caribbean, but we have many challenges ahead.”
Governor Duncan went on to reference Psalms 82, noting that it speaks to the aims of both the police and persons of every community, which is to deliver and protect persons out of the hands of the wicked.
“It’s about the judgement of human beings and God declaring the bond between morals and the physical order,” he shared.
He continued, “That’s the responsibility of all of us, to deliver the poor from the hands of the wicked. And that is in essence what the force does day in and day out. The men and women of the force are out there protecting us from the hands of the wicked.”
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