Dear Source:
In response to an ex-senator, now redeployed/reinvented as a 'recruitment' of our police force, I offer the following: What has been done for transparency to the public purview on 'Internal Affairs' investigations? Over a year ago on STX, ICE arrested several illegal aliens, some being known prostitutes possessing a little black book naming government employees to include police officers. Who are the police officers, government officials named and what is their current status within the government? Are they still on the government payroll enjoying taxpayer money? We seem to have a systematic way of dismissing those in positions of government and excusing their implications in a crime. What is the status of 'Internal Affairs' on those being off the job on paid leave and why are they off the job? What are their names and islands they represent? Why are they still on the taxpayer payroll and enjoying full benefits?
What is the 'testing instrument' you are using and will the 'curve' be set below standards to again promote/hire and raise unwarranted taxpayer salaries for substandard performance on a test score? Can we emulate Atlanta's test requirements as well as their criteria results for hiring/recruitment of police officers or lack thereof? What exactly ARE the recruitment criteria prohibiting the hiring? Drug tests? Failure to read and comprehend the test? Criminal background? Not possessing a high school diploma? The public needs to know what we are facing and what we are excepting BEFORE we trust our police force with information on crime much less our lives to defend if so needed.
What is excepting and passing requirements in the USVI for employment as a police officer that would not muster in the states for an acceptable police officer position? Are we raising the bar or lowering it to put bodies vs qualified police on the streets?
In short, Mr. Hansen, if you want the public to be engaged and partner in solving crime on the islands, much less believe we are protected, we need to know what we are partnering with. The all to old, 'better days are ahead' does not cut it anymore and we have been led down this path before believing vs showing us proof of what we can expect and gain from our government. I disagree 'the truth is out there'. We need a format.
Our unsolved murder percentage speaks too loudly to ignore and an update(s) not compromising the 'on-going investigation' would benefit and help secure a belief the police are actually making headway in cases. The town hall meetings were a good start, but due to poor advertisement of the events, low turnout was the result. Craig Barshinger is correct in supporting public outcry on crime in the territory. Seems we only are concerned about the end result being tourism and not protecting our citizens and tourists before a crime is perpetrated.
Get off the same old same old promises and stall techniques and show us transparency before the public invests their faith in repeated government rhetoric.
Jill Lange
St. Croix
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