At a press conference launching the re-established committee, the Governor said that, while the police are responsible for keeping the BVI safe and secure, they cannot be successful in their mission without the help of the wider community.

“The police have to operate with the full cooperation of the public,” the Governor said. “Indeed, without that full cooperation and support they will always be working at a disadvantage.”

The Chief Minister said the re-establishment of the Police Advisory Committee is in keeping with the government’s legislative agenda, which promises support for measures to enhance the police force’s crime-fighting abilities.

It is also in keeping with the Chief Minister’s 7-Point Plan on Crime announced last year. “I know the police are working very hard to build up the public’s confidence, and they are achieving that objective,” the Chief Minister said.

“But anything that we as a community can do to assist that process, we must do, and part of this is reactivating the Police Advisory Committee," he said.

Chairman of the Police Advisory Committee, Vincent O’Neal, said he and the other members will take their responsibilities seriously. “Our deliberations and advice will represent our deep, silent and abiding convictions, which I hope, at the end of our term, will produce excellent results for the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force and for our Territory,” O’Neal said.

The Chief Minister said the committee members represent a cross-section of the BVI community. “They come from various parts of the community. I know them all and I know that they are all very much concerned with making sure that BVI remains a safe place for us all,” he said.

The Governor said the committee members were chosen because they have shown an interest in police matters, represent a wide-cross section of the BVI, and are respected and trusted members of the community.

Among the terms of reference for the committee are to advise the Governor and the Commissioner of Police on community concerns about law enforcement, and to make proposals to improve cooperation and relationships between the community and the police force -- to advise and inform the community about law enforcement matters, leading to a better understanding about what the police can and cannot do.

The committee will also consider the nature and incidence of criminal and anti social activities, and and bring about a reduction in such activities by recommending appropriate responses and actions by the police, other public bodies and the community.

It will also promote a programme of visits by lay persons to police stations to verify that prisoners, detainees and members of the public are treated fairly and courteously.

It will also encourage and support the recruitment of qualified individuals, particularly belongers, to pursue a police career, and the effective personal development of police officers.