Governor of the Virgin Islands His Excellency John Rankin CMG and Police Commissioner Mark Collins have been accused of lying after being caught in a number of conflicting statements regarding the “Police in Paradise video.
In a recent statement the BVI Tourist Board (BVITB) has addressed claims made by the Governor of the Virgin Islands His Excellency John Rankin CMG, at a recent press conference July 1, 2022, alongside the Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr Hon Natalio D. Wheatley.
Concerning the highly controversial filming of the recently leaked “Police in Paradise” video. Governor Rankin said, “my understanding is that there was some consultation with the tourism board, but I don’t have the exact details of that.”
Rankin added, “Obviously, if any crimes were committed then that should be investigated properly but I’ve got no evidence to believe that is the case.”
Police Commissioner Mark Collins had said, “While permission was sought in advance from the relevant authorities specifically for the intended purpose, this raw footage in circulation lacked an introduction and a conclusion and was never intended for public consumption.”
However, the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board (BVITB) & Film Commission has since said that the agency first became aware of the “Police in Paradise” video when it went viral in local chat rooms and on social media last week.
The statement stated, “We are not aware of when the footage for this production was shot, as there is no record of permission being sought. Furthermore, the BVITB did not issue a film permit to allow the filmed content from the video to be captured in the Territory.”
Director of the BVI Tourist Board Mr. Clive McCoy said, “I can confirm that the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) did consult with the BVITB four years ago in 2018, about a similar project. However, no approval was granted and we were not in favour of the proposed project.
The BVITB does not have any record of consultation being made regarding the filming of the “Police in Paradise” video which has been recently circulated. In fact, the BVITB first became aware of the project when along with the entire community, we saw the video being shared in WhatsApp messages and social media platforms.”
He added, “I would like to reiterate that we are not in support of this video as it negatively portrays the Territory.”
In the press conference on July 1, Governor Rankin stated that he accepts the apology issued by Commissioner of Police, Mark Collins and said, “The lesson to be learned from this is that, in the modern age, as soon as something gets put on a video, and its available electronically, the risk of it being more widely available is high.”
Residents of the Virgin Islands however have rejected the Commissioners apology calling it a direct and deliberate attack on the Virgin Islands at an already worrying and traumatic time.
When the video first circulated the Royal Virgin Islands Police force initially said that the video was created for recruitment purpose. Stating, “The incomplete video entitled ‘Police in Paradise’ which is now in circulation was intended to be a tool for recruiting officers from the Caribbean and the U.K., and aimed at capturing the benefits and challenges of policing in the BVI,”
Said statement on recruitment has since been in question and proved to be false. However, residents continue to question the motive behind the video and its damaging effect on the Virgin Islands and its tourism product.