The Police (Amendment) Act 2023 has been passed in the House of Assembly and once assented to will set out the legal procedures to be used by the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force when collecting DNA samples from persons suspected of being involved in arrestable offences.
Mover of the Bill Premier Dr. the Honourable Natalio Wheatley highlighted the new additions which will amend the Police Act, Revised Edition 2013.
The premier noted that while the police will now have the authority to collect intimate DNA samples, it must be done in accordance with the law or those in breach will have to account for their actions.
Premier Wheatley said the previous Police Act 2023 was removed from the Order Paper last week due to the many concerns raised by members of the public, but highlighted the importance of having this specific version returned to the House of Assembly.
Premier Wheatley said a further modernisation of the Police Act will return to the House of Assembly at a future sitting.