Dear Source:
I believe the Governor needs to address the root causes that plague the VI Police Dept., until that occurs the Police Dept. will continue to operate below standard. The morale of the officers is limiting their performance. That is a known fact by most informed citizens, and I presumed the Governor is an informed citizen, therefore, he is aware or should be aware of the problems that plague the VI Police. When there is a lack of confidence in the leadership that affects performance. If the Governor is serious about doing something about the crime, he needs to address the problems in Police Dept. first and all other matters will fall in place. All the Governor needs to do is consult with serious members of the community and they can tell him of their experiences with the police, good, bad and indifference. It is not so much the number of police officers it is the quality of available officer and their efficient deployment and mature supervision.
When the Police Commissioner allow a number of officers, including supervisors, to collect their pay without carrying out their duties like the other officers, that in itself creates a morale problem. These same officials continue to say they are short on police officers. Do not take my word Governor, have any number of your many assistants verify that information. I am told there are those who for years have been collecting pay without serving a day during that period with the rest of the force, what a free ride! Does the Commissioner have that authority to waste the taxpayers' money? If the Governor condones the Commissioner action, he is just as guilty. What about the Legislature, they have oversight jurisdiction, but maybe their sight is not too good, there are many optometrists available locally, for the shortsighted Senators.
I have been mentioning for some time now that the situation in the Police Department is going to get worse unless the poor morale problem is fixed. However, the politicians prefer to engage in their usual demagoguery and ignore the problem, which by the way is not that difficult to solve. The Department seems to have more vehicles than officers. There seem to be no accountability; there is a cemetery down at the mechanic shop in Sub Base by the Motor Bureau. Who is responsible for those wrecks? We see brand new vehicles being driven on bright sunny days that need cleaning, where is the pride? Just look at the attire of so many of the officers, does it reflect any pride? The leaders fails to transmit pride in the officers, it is true you cannot transmit what you do not have.
Do we as a people have pride in our government? Are we not impressed when we see a well-groomed and smartly dressed officer patrolling or visit with you? They are our officers, they are our public servants, and we should demand better appearance from their leaders, including the Governor, the Commander in Chief of our government. We, the people needs to be more engaged in our government, we need to make demands, they work for us, we are employing them, those elected and those appointed. If we fail to exercise our duty to our government and ourselves, we have no one to blame but ourselves. Exercise your rights, your duty to your community, to your government and together we can make this community a better place for all. Band together and act!
J.J. Estemac
St. Thomas
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