Assistant Commissioner of Police, Davidson Valerie has sought to clarify an earlier statement made by himself which has caused much controversy in the last few days.
Earlier this week during a media briefing, Valerie issued a stern warning to Dominicans who intend on celebrating Christmas, must do so only with the occupants of their home.
“If you live with your wife and two children, any activity you are allowed to have at your house must engage the four of you. If by any chance you want to bring in other persons, it is an offence to have other persons come to your house, because the law makes allowance for persons of the immediate household. So your cousin who doesn’t live at your house should not be at your house for any Christmas celebration,” the senior officer stated.
However in a later statement, the Assistant Police Commissioner explained that relatives and friends can be invited over for dining but what is not permitted is hosting parties with outside guests.
“I wish to clarify that there is nothing in the law that prevents people from visiting families and friends and loved ones anytime during the Christmas season and perhaps having dinner, lunch or even breakfast, that is permitted.”
Valerie continued, “What is not permitted is the hosting of a party with people who are not from the immediate or same household. There is nothing in the law that prevents any person from playing music in the privacy of his or her home, what is not permitted is the hosting of anyone who is outside of the immediate household or does not live in that house in fete or festive activity.”
He informed that this regulation is clearly articulated in section 13:1 (a) of SR&O 26 of 2021, therefore encouraging the public to be “very careful” in how their affairs are conducted during the Christmas season.
Valerie said, adherence to the regulations will prevent the further spread of COVID-19 in Dominica and in particular, during the Christmas holidays.
“This year, we cannot have our usual party type activities and the various gatherings that we are used to in the past because of COVID-19. So the large family gatherings where we invite persons to our homes, and invite relatives to our homes and friends to celebrate in a party type atmosphere that we are used to this is unlawful.”
The police further cautioned about overcrowding and reminded that only 100 people are allowed to gather in any one location.
“So if you’re in a business place and you realize the place is likely to be crowded, we are asking the public to avoid going into that location where there are many people to exceed 100. Or if you are going to the beach, no more than 100 people are permitted in any one location in public.
If you are part of any gathering that exceeds 100 people, you definitely commit an offense.”
He said the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (CDPF) remains committed in enforcing the law and will continue its collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Wellness and New Health Investment in combating the COVID-19 pandemic in Dominica.
Valerie revealed, the biggest challenge of the CDPF since the start of the pandemic is the noncompliance by members of the public in wearing their mask.
He stated the police will continue its increased patrol in the city and other communities in Dominica not only to provide safety and security for all but to lay charges against individuals and businesses who do not adhere to public health protocols.
As it relates to overall crime in Dominica, the Assistant Police Commissioner averred that the pandemic has not sparked an increase in crimes and credited the work of police officers as the cause.
“I can tell you that as opposed to what I’ve seen in some countries, the crime rate in Dominica is usual.”
For the year thus far, there has been nine murders which the police states is not a figure that is above average and he said burglaries and theft this year during the Christmas season is among the lowest it has been in the past few years.
“Of course, you will know that the police have been out in doing a lot of patrols and ensuring that there is adherence to the laws and protocols, but to a large extent we have not seen any major increase in crime.”
Belgrove Charles, acting Superintendent of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) said his division continues to focus on crime prevention and detection which has yielded much success.
Who care about CXC,GCE or PhD?Linton has none of those and he is your boss,at least Valarie was not EXPELLED from school.
IBO continue to be an ignorant unwilling to learn AHOLE.In 1983 members of the cdpf went to Grenada and worked with members of the 108th div.65th and 82nd,those are US soldiers.In 1984 members of the ELITE 82nd Airborne 7th Special Forces from Fort Bragg North Carolina CAME to Dominica,and trained the Dominica police in ADVANCE battle and survival techniques .The Americans built a training range at Morne Trois Piton costing hundreds of thousands of dollars.The police are both police and soldiers.So IBO stop your uneducated BS,and do some research.Typical UWP lazy,lying,corrupt crooks(awaiting moderation).Every time these UWP lazy,liars are exposed awaiting moderation comes into play.
We been told if it looks like an _ _ _, it thinks like an _ _ _, it sounds like an _ _ _ then it must be an _ _ _
Take a very close look at Mr. Valerie’s facial expression in the photo in front of the microphones. What do you see? I see fright, panic, lack of self-confidence and timidity.
He knows he cannot speak fluent English so he is mortally afraid of embarrassing himself.
The Dominica Police Force is a pack of hungry, rabid wolves that only knows one thing, violence against unarmed, innocent citizens.
Most members of the cabal have issues with the English language, that includes Skerrit and Gucci. But the most worrying thing is that this man once upon a time proclaimed to be an English teacher. Poor children. Poor country!
Well said!
One important attribute of a good leader is he/she should have a good command of the official language of the country. In this way, he/she would be able to communicate with the populate clearly, concisely and unequivocally. When Skerrit speaks it’s as though he’s speaking in TONGUES.
In Dominica, “family” is usually half or more of the village!
Valarie is a big mustle man but has no dam mustle in his brain…he is the chief inspiration behind this dictatorship in dominica…but I like hutsi and I like Tutsi…go ahead lyou have enough meat for your wanting..Valarie it’s coming…Valarie has been threatening Dominican s…and it’s not no joke…Valarie better stop harassing Dominican or you will be stopped
From reading the first statement about the illegality of non-immediate family members gathering during Christmas, there does not seem to be any confusion here. That statement was very clear.
The problem is, the assistant commissioner did not consult with the AG to ensure he was on sound legal ground before talking foolishness to the public. He did not know what he was talking about. That has nothing to do with clarity.
Another thing about the 100 person limit. The limit should be based on the size of the place. Some places will accommodate 200 people quite safely while others should be limited to 10 people. The limit should be based on a percentage (50% maybe?).
My friend called to ask me whether this was a police officer, a soldier or a Roast Dog. I said it was the “Commander’s Dog.
A wannabe soldier, a Hot Dog and the dictators lap dog. EVERYTHING in todays Dominica is for sale, and I mean EVERYTHING.
Thats sounds like one word…auta rubbish….
This guy is the perfect example of a square peg in a round hole. He an not even explain to a first time visitor to Dominica how to get the seaport to the police station in Roseau.
There are many more like him in very prominent positions in the public service. They are supremely unqualified and intellectually inept for the positions they presently hold. They are put there to serve at the behest of the idiotic tyrant.
Valerie has made himself to be more of a jacka… Are you telling me my friends and relatives can be at my dinner table yet may not dance before or after dinner? Does dancing introduce a Covid into the atmosphere?That is what he is saying. Very incongruent and stupid pronouncements.
You’ve hit the nail directly on the head. First of this guy should not be on the radio period. This should have been left to the legal authority that drafted the statute or the health authorities on whose behalf the statue has been drafted so that the intent and effect of the law could be properly laid out . Mr. Valerie has done an awful job on both counts . He either a )doesn’t understand the law or SR&O, b) understands it but cannot explain it properly or c) understands it … but needs to put a particular spin on it for an unexplained agenda and in doing so has tied himself up in knots. The worse thing is he has not left the public in any clearer position even after his ‘clarification’ which could , presumably lead some into unintentionally breaking the law. Of all people a police officer (and a senior one at that) should not be responsible for that.
How could the police stand by and allow the queen of bling to organize that virus spreading fiasco on the bay front? The same police hound the opposition UWP when it tries to organize activities yet I’m certain that they provided security for the bay front mess. It’s clear that this isn’t operating like a well regulated police force but instead like the personal security service for the corrupt cabal. Glad that the policy has been cleared up but I’ll wait to hear reports of certain privileged people disregarded the directive, like Skerritt did when he attended a funeral without quarantine after a visit to Venezuela. I also hope that Melissa isn’t organizing any party at this time because that’s what she’s good at.
But under who and where were these Toto Macoute trained? Surely it couldn’t be under the command of Inspector Andrews who went to a legitimated high school. They had to be trained under Mc Kelson Ferrol.
A man promoted for brawn, rather than brain, it would appear.
Me, your comment is so accurate. The hierarchy of the Dominica Police Force is comprised of men who are intellectually disabled but physically tough and brutal.
Only soldiers should be dressed in these camouflaged fatigues. In most well governed countries police in army clothing is strictly prohibited. The duty of a police officer is quite different from that of a soldier. A soldier fights wars, a police officer enforces laws.
How old is this photo. It shows the assistant Chief Commissioner with the epaulettes ranking of Inspector.
You think you going to single handedly make Skerrit loose election next time .Fix it Valerie .
Forget the institutionalised corruption, the breathtaking incompetence of this police force and its government during this Christmas period has been far more concerning to the people of Dominica. It’s like being governed by the stupidest people in your school class.
Some brave illiterates… pierre Charles was right… their ignorance really is worn as a badge of honor.
uncle must have call mr and tell him what the duce he trying. he just fook up the man wife thing on bayfront . simply because he cannot speak english or failed english for cxc
Say it Good next time.