Opposition Legislator Honourable Myron Walwyn has voiced strong criticism against the Service Commissions (Amendment) Bill, 2024, during a recent debate in the House of Assembly.
Walwyn’s primary concern revolves around the proposed vetting process, which he deems excessively intrusive.
The bill, a result of Recommendation B39 from the Commission of Inquiry (COI) Report, aims to implement thorough vetting procedures for officers working in His Majesty’s Prison, Customs, and Immigration departments.
In his address, Walwyn highlighted the potential negative impact on local recruitment.
He highlighted the already low interest among locals in joining the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force and suggested that the stringent new vetting requirements could further discourage local applicants from seeking employment in these critical agencies.
Contrastingly, Premier Dr. the Honourable Natalio Wheatley defended the bill, stressing the necessity of rebuilding and maintaining public trust in these institutions.
Dr. Wheatley argued that comprehensive vetting is crucial to ensuring that officers uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct and professional competence, which is essential to prevent corruption, misconduct, and abuses of power.