“The top management of the Police Force just wants to minimise the top ranking positions, and that’s extremely frustrating to us,” declared an irate police officer, who had just left a meeting on Monday, where officers were given the opportunity to express their views on a new structure for the police force proposed by the senior management team headed by Commissioner of Police, Reynell Frazer.

Organised by the Police Welfare Association of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, and held at the Road Town Police Station cafeteria, the meeting left a bitter taste in the mouths of many, with one officer adding, “Management is not serious about the force.”

He disclosed that the new structure will see the elimination of some of the already established posts.

“We’re supposed to have 11 Chief Inspectors, but now they want to downsize that number to six. And to add insult to injury, the average age of the Inspectors gives them another 10 years before they retire, so that means promotions are stagnant,” the Officer explained.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Association Vere Browne told the Standpoint that the negotiations that arose from the meeting are ‘extremely sensitive.’

“Because it’s a very touchy issue, I really can’t say anything, but rest assured that in another three to four weeks the media will be informed,” he said.

Browne said the function of the Association is to challenge the working conditions, welfare and other industrial relation matters within the Police Force.

Although he was tightlipped about the meeting, Browne admitted that prolonged acting positions and promotions were factored in the more than two hours of discussions.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, another Officer said the law states if an officer is acting in a position for six months – he’s entitled to the said position. “And we have officers who’ve been acting in various capacities for more than five years, and that’s why some officers are likely to take the COP to Court.”    

Top Cop awaits input

This newspaper understands that since suggestions and recommendations were made, the Top Cop is now awaiting a report from the outcome of the meeting.    

“That was the whole purpose of the meeting to have the input from the officers,” an official from the Police Public Relations Office disclosed.

The official further pointed out it would be inappropriate for the COP to issue any statement at this time.

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