Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Monday, Jun 02, 2025

Graphic police video casts VI as plagued by crime, drugs; CoP says video ‘incomplete’

Graphic police video casts VI as plagued by crime, drugs; CoP says video ‘incomplete’

A 5-minute disturbing video clip entitled ‘Police in Paradise’ has been drawing criticisms from the public for portraying the [British] Virgin Islands, a place where crime is still low and people live in relative safety compared to many countries, as plagued by crime, including drugs and violence.

The controversial video has been created by ITV, a British media company.

‘Police in Paradise’


The graphic video includes interviews with several police officers, including Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police Jacqueline E. Vanterpool,who says ‘Nature’s Little Secrets’ does have issues of crime such as drugs and theft and Commissioner of Police (CoP) Mark Collins, who comments that “it constantly surprises me because you go from being an absolute paradise to being in muck and bullets.”

Following Mr Collins' comments is graphic video footage of the fatal shooting of Deverson Williams, who was gunned down in Fish Bay on March 16, 2021.

Mr Williams’ vehicle is seen being riddled with bullets.

“I don’t think you can see that any place else in the world,” Mr Collins erroneously states.

Footage is also shown of high-speed chases on the sea, drug seizures and police making arrests.

Later in the disturbing video, Mr Collins comments that he has seen some 5 or 6 homicides in the space of 10 months, since he has been at the helm of the RVIPF.

He also spoke about drug seizures and the video highlighted that there was a ‘Largest seizure in BVI history’.

Meanwhile, Vanterpool shares that she also wanted to be a police officer and became enthusiastic about joining the joining the force after watching television shows like Charlie’s Angels and TJ Hooker.

“Drug trafficking is a major major challenge within the BVI,” Vanterpool states.

Another Inspector Saif Kaddoura, who sated in the video he is originally from Lebanon, said the VI has become “a safe haven for drug trafficking” due to its open waters and proximity to nearby islands.

‘Shock & disgusted’- Cindy Rosan


Among those who have reacted to the video is local advocate Rosemary Cindy Rosan, who said: I’m trying to have all the patience in the world to maneuver where we are in the BVI right now. Where did this video originate? I fail to believe that this was released by the RVIPF. Is there an attack on the Virgin Islands by the UK? Because this falls under their remit. Are they trying to destroy us? Might I add that major drug busts in the BVI over the past 2-3 years, were Members of the RVIPF. How convenient to leave that out. I am absolutely shocked and disgusted by the release of this video. What is it meant to accomplish?!

“Whoever came up with this, and released it, is a jack@$$. And I’m unapologetic,” Rosan stated.

Public reacts


Edju En Ka stated: “This not the job of a jack@$$. This is a hatchet job. Who would want to portray the Virgin Islands as a lawless drug trafficking territory?”

Marlene Gumbs wrote: “After watching this video I ain’t coming to the BVI to visit. You guys going to do this in the heart of festival time. This is so sad.:

Dornelle Hazel reacted: Name a tourist destination country that doesn’t have drug trafficking and murders ???? and tourists stop going to because of these crimes or acts?? BVI will remain beautiful and one of the safest place in the world where anyone can still walk free and visit all areas without being robbed or killed in 2022!! So this video means nothing and will only attract more drug dealers.”

‘Video was intended to be a tool’ for recruitment- CoP


CoP Collins has since released a statement on the video.

He said 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 UK, and aimed at capturing the benefits and challenges of policing in the VI.

Collins continued that 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.

“I received the video in its incomplete form and circulated it to a small group of officers within the Force to receive feedback to help with its completion. None of the violence, drug transshipments or the seizures in this video would ever be appropriate to be viewed by the public.”

‘I offer apologies’- CoP Collins


Collins continued that he is “saddened by the actions taken to bring me and the Force into disgrace.”

The CoP ended with an apology to the VI.

“I am even more disheartened that the people of this Territory have to endure additional distress and trauma in this already very difficult time.

“I offer apologies on my behalf and that of the Royal Virgin Police Force.”

The video includes interviews with several police officers, including Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police Jacqueline E. Vanterpool, who says ‘Nature’s Little Secrets’ does have issues of crimes such as drugs and theft and Commissioner of Police (CoP) Mark Collins, who comments that 'it constantly surprises me because you go from being an absolute paradise to being in muck and bullets'.


Among those who have reacted to the controversial video is local advocate Rosemary Cindy Rosan.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
European and Arab Ministers Convene in Madrid to Address Gaza Conflict
U.S. Health Secretary Ends Select COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
Trump Warns Putin Is 'Playing with Fire' Amid Escalating Ukraine Conflict
India and Pakistan Engage Trump-Linked Lobbyists to Influence U.S. Policy
U.S. Halts New Student Visa Interviews Amid Enhanced Security Measures
Trump Administration Cancels $100 Million in Federal Contracts with Harvard
SpaceX Starship Test Flight Ends in Failure, Mars Mission Timeline Uncertain
King Charles Affirms Canadian Sovereignty Amid U.S. Statehood Pressure
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Founder Warns Against Trusting Regime in Nuclear Talks
UAE Offers Free ChatGPT Plus Subscriptions to Citizens
Lebanon Initiates Plan to Disarm Palestinian Factions
Iran and U.S. Make Limited Progress in Nuclear Talks
The Daily Debate: The Fall of the Dollar — Strategic Reset or Economic Self-Destruction?
Trump Administration's Tariff Policies and Dollar Strategy Spark Global Economic Debate
OpenAI Acquires Jony Ive’s Startup for $6.5 Billion to Build a Revolutionary “Third Core Device”
Turkey Weighs Citizens in Public as Erdoğan Launches National Slimming Campaign
Saudi-Spanish Business Forum Commences in Riyadh
Saudi Arabia and Spain Sign MoU to Boost SME Sectors
UK Suspends Trade Talks with Israel Amid Gaza Offensive
Iran and U.S. Set for Fifth Round of Nuclear Talks Amid Rising Tensions
Russia Expands Military Presence Near Finland Amid Rising Tensions
Indian Scholar Arrested in Crackdown Over Pakistan Conflict Commentary
Israel Eases Gaza Blockade Amid Internal Dispute Over Military Strategy
President Biden’s announcement of advanced prostate cancer sparked public sympathy—but behind closed doors, Democrats are in panic
A Chinese company made solar tiles that look way nicer than regular panels!
Indian jet shootdown: the all-robot legion behind China’s PL-15E missiles
The Chinese Dragon: The True Winner in the India-Pakistan Clash
Australia's Venomous Creatures Contribute to Life-Saving Antivenom Programme
The Spanish Were Right: Long Working Hours Harm Brain Function
Did Former FBI Director Call for Violence Against Trump? Instagram Post Sparks Uproar
US and UAE Partner to Develop Massive AI Data Center Complex
Apple's $95 Million Siri Settlement: Eligible Users Have Until July 2 to File Claims
US and UAE Reach Preliminary Agreement on Nvidia AI Chip Imports
President Trump and Elon Musk Welcomed by Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim with Cybertruck Convoy
Strong Warning Issued: Do Not Use General Chatbots for Medical, Legal, or Educational Guidance
Saudi Arabia Emerges as Global Tech Magnet with U.S. Backing and Trump’s Visit
This was President's departure from Saudi Arabia. The Crown Prince personally escorted him back to the airport.
NVIDIA and Saudi Arabia Launch Strategic Partnership to Establish AI Centers
Trump Meets Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara in Historic Encounter
Trump takes a blow torch to the neocons and interventionists while speaking to the Saudis
US and Saudi Arabia Sign Landmark Agreements Across Multiple Sectors
Why Saudi Arabia Rolled Out a Purple Carpet for Donald Trump Instead of Red
Elon Musk Joins Trump Meeting in Saudi Arabia
Trump says it would be 'stupid' not to accept gift of Qatari plane
Quantum Computing Threatens Bitcoin Security
×