STATEMENT BY

HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR

DANIEL PRUCE

 PUBLICATION OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT REVIEW PART TWO

I welcome this next instalment of the review of law enforcement and criminal justice bodies in the Virgin Islands, conducted by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services.

This is an ambitious and far-reaching roadmap for change, to make the Territory safer over the next decade and beyond. It recommends improvements designed to optimise and support law enforcement agencies in performing their duties.

By improving the governance and oversight of law enforcement agencies, we will be better equipped to tackle crime, including international organised crime, protect our borders, halt the flow of illicit finance, make the criminal justice system more efficient and protect vulnerable people, while safeguarding fundamental rights and freedoms.

Collaboration is at the heart of this programme. To succeed, we must take a proactive, integrated approach to tackling crime, including organised crime and the violence that gangs proliferate. I look forward to working with the Premier, National Security Council and all law enforcement agencies and criminal justice partners.

I am grateful to the UK Government for funding the review and resourcing the programme which will implement these fundamental recommendations. Two experts, recruited to deliver this programme, are in place and are working on a delivery plan.

Now that we have received Volume Two, I will relaunch the recruitment campaign for the Commissioner of Police very soon. This will be a rigorous selection process based on a new person specification, updated in line with the recommendations in this report.  We will be looking for a leader who can deliver transformational change in a complex organisation.

I’d like to thank all law enforcement agents and officers: I see your commitment to protecting the people of the Virgin Islands and recognise the sacrifices you make in the face of significant challenges. It is my hope that through working together, we will not only better protect the community but its officers as well.

Finally, I’d like to thank the community for its support. Security is rooted in the community and your ongoing engagement and support for the frontline is vital to its evolution. After all, security underpins prosperity, and we all want to see the Virgin Islands grow and flourish.’

Full report attached.

HMICFRS is responsible for assessing and reporting on the effectiveness and efficiency of police forces and fire & rescue service in the UK and has previously reviewed other Overseas Territories including Gibraltar. The reports are all published on their website, including Part One of this review: 

https://hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/publications/

Read a statement from Governor Pruce from the publication of Volume One of the Law Enforcement Review : https://bvi.gov.vg/media-centre/statement-governor-pruce-publication-review-law-enforcement-and-criminal-justice-bodies