Ag. Police Commissioner Ullger is talking to the people and we are interested in what he has to say. In the modern day, we can no longer operate in silos and secrecy. We must talk to each other.
The Ag. Commissioner came to office on a difficult tide when the Territory was outraged about the way the state treated the former Ag Commissioner Vanterpool, a daughter of the soil, who even by public accounts by the Minister for National Security, was doing a credible job.
We don’t know where the wheels went off that bus but it came to a skid and a hard stop to the anger of the people. We marched and made speeches during a week of protests that, as expected, were ignored.
That anger is not new.
We ranted over the inhumane treatment of the Ag Director of BVI House, London, who has been acting in that capacity since 2019. By accounts, it constitutes a criminal disregard for the wellbeing of others.
And over the past few weeks we have been fuming about the callous handling of the Ag. CEO of the Dr D. Orlando Smith Hospital. She has been operating in that capacity for at least 3 years but is not expected to be confirmed in the post.
The search is well advanced for a professional CEO and she, despite the years acting, will be unceremoniously dumped.
There will be no marches and speeches for we are doing that to ourselves.
When we heard Ullger on “Talking Points,” we remembered Isabelle Allende saying about one of her characters that “she had all the poise and self-assurance guaranteed by being born beautiful.” (In the Midst of Winter)
Ullger appeared to have that self-assurance for being born British despite his upbringing as a Gibraltan; Being assigned singlehandedly by the Minister for National Security; Having his acting appointment extended for 3 months;
Being supported by a powerful institution and having all the powers and authority vested in the Police Commissioner of the Virgin Islands.
Of course, despite the constitutional establishment of the National Security Council, it is the Minister for National Security who holds the authority, has the responsibility and makes the decisions, he will say, in the interests of HMG or where issues of contingent liability arise.
He is a big fish in the small BVI pond watered by the river that is his FCDO. And while we dare not question the might of the establishment, we can sometimes rely on the APPG to ask questions on our behalf.
So, we remind the Minister for National Security and the FCDO of Isabella’s plea for the life of her brother in Measure for Measure (Act II-Scene II)
“It is excellent
To have a giant’s strength, but it is tyrannous
To use it like a giant.”
But it is borne out by the media. The Achilles heel of the Caribbean appears to be drugs, guns and, increasingly, violent crime.
We cannot blame the countries that have lax gun laws for putting guns into our hands.
We should not be excused because the nations that are natural factories of illicit drugs tempt us with profits and an easy existence.
And we are in no position to terrorize people on the high seas to attempt to interrupt the drug trade if indeed those targeted are so engaged.
But Ullger and his Minister help to equip BVI to apply the rule of law with the hope that the public prosecutors will hold up their end of the bargain. The record speaks loudly on that score.
We must have zero tolerance for drugs and crime and are duty bound to guide our children to become law abiding citizens.
And in that milieu, the Ag Commissioner has a pivotal role. For it is his Minister’s remit to keep us safe; The Ag Commissioner being the implementor of his Minister’s policies; And they are fully backed by the resources of the kingdom.
Does the divide and conquer mentality still envelop Whitehall? We wonder.
So, even in the public’s anger, we must, as stated by the Leader of Government Business, support the Ag. Police Commissioner and push aside our hurt feelings. (If you have hurt feelings, go to church)
We should alienate the rancor that naturally arises when one is mistreated by the school yard giant and work together to make BVI the safe community it was and must be to support our tourism industry and to allow us to live meaningful, fearless lives.
Of course, we will look injustice in the eye when it raises its ugly head and our voices will resonate with the words:
We See You.
So, we hope that the Ag Commissioner and his Minister will not only work assiduously on our behalf but also treat us with respect. For we are people too even if we do not have the backing of a king nor his kingdom.
But we do have Fridays to shout from the rooftops.
And We Will Be Heard.
Happy Friday!