UPDATE: Jacqueline E. Vanterpool appointed first female Superintendent of Police
Chief Inspector Vanterpool has since been officially notified of her appointment to the position by Police Commissioner Michael 'Mick' Matthews.
A copy of the letter announcing Mrs Vanterpool's appointment was obtained by our newsroom today, June 30, 2016.
"I am delighted to announce that I have been notified by His Excellency the Governor that the successful applicant for promotion to the vacant rank of Superintendent is Acting Chief Inspector J. Vanterpool," the letter by Mr Matthews stated.
The Police Commissioner expressed congratulations to Mrs Vanterpool and thanked the other applicants for putting themselves forward.
The letter also stated that the promotion "will lead to some movement withing the middle management of the force and details will be announced later."
The appointment is history making since Mrs Vanterpool is the first female officer in the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) to be appointed Superintendent of Police.
See previous story published February 1, 2016
History! First local woman tipped to be Superintendent of RVIPF
- Ms Jacqueline E. Vanterpool could become the first woman to reach rank of Superintendent replacing the retired M. Roy Stoutt
Word reaching our newsroom from our traditional Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) sources is that local police officer Ms Jacqueline E. Vanterpool, a Virgin Gordian, is tipped to become the new Acting Superintendent of Police. If successful she is expected to replace another local who has retired- former Superintendent Mr M. Roy Stoutt.
While the top brass at the RVIPF are tight-lipped over the new appointment, our sources close to the situation reported that she is to be officially advised this week. Police Inspector Vanterpool was among those who were interviewed for the vacant post of Superintendent.
It will make Ms Vanterpool number three in the lineup, after the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner.
She is currently acting Chief Inspector of the RVIPF in charge of the Virgin Gorda and Anegada Police Constabulary. If she is appointed to the post, Ms Vanterpool who has spent 24 years in the RVIPF will make history by being the first woman to reach such a rank in the almost 50 year history of the police force.
Ag Chief Inspector Vanterpool holds a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice and Management from Ashworth College, along with two Associate’s Degrees in Human Services and Criminal Justice.
Locals in the Police Force feel discrimination
Over the past 10 years locals in the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force have reported that they feel oppressed and discriminated against. In the past 6 years some 50 percent of local officers have been forced out of the Police Force through retirement and other disciplinary issues.
Many of those who have retired have shared their experiences of lack of promotion and upward mobility in the Police Force, the target for discrimination via hash disciplinary charges and double standards in treatment and resources.
It is alleged that there is no active outreach to recruit locals, however, non-nationals coming to the Virgin Islands in the past year or two have an easier time joining the RVIPF.
One retired Senior Police Officer shared with our newsroom that a Caribbean national from one of the islands came to the Virgin Islands while he was in the force, and the person worked as a security officer for a private company for 6 months and in the seventh month he was recruited into the RVIPF.
It is reported that locals are also being shut out of Her Majesty’s Prison. One Minister, Hon Myron V. Walwyn told the media that we can no longer have laws to protect locals. His statement was scoffed at by many and was seen and interpreted as further discrimination and oppression against the minority local population.
In fact, the controversial Minister for Education and Culture Hon Walwyn was off the mark as there are labour laws among others that are designed to protect Virgin Islanders and Belongers.
Both the Acting Police Commissioner Alwin James and the Acting. Chief Inspector Vanterpool could not be reached for comments up to publication time.
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54 Responses to “UPDATE: Jacqueline E. Vanterpool appointed first female Superintendent of Police”
Reach for the stars
She will do a good job or better as she has being doin a great one for these years
GOOD LUCK !!
God have your back girl congrats you're a great woman and down to earth..
What other darn choices? You are probably one of the Laboratorymice that smile in her face the come on here blogging sh*t
Hope we will still see u in VG
There is some unfinished work to be done at home
To the officers at VG station u gotta step it up now
Peace
["Section 96(1) of Her Majesty's Virgin Islands Constitution declares that-(There shall be in and for the Virgin Islands a (Police Service Commission) which shall consist of five members:All appointed by the Governor with the following advice:--Two by the Governor himself on his advice,One on the advice of the Premier,One on the advice of the Leader of the opposition and One on the advice of the Police Welfare/PWA"] (5-members make up the PoSC) O.K and section 97 of the said V.I Constitution,declares:- ["Power to make appointment to offices in the Police Force-shall vest in the Governor,acting in accordance with the advice of the Police Service Commission;BUT the Governor,acting in his discretion,may act otherwise than in accordance with that advice if he determines that compliance with that advice would prejudice Her Majesty's Service"]
So,in this case,the appointment of Jackie Vanterpool, is Constitutional and Lawful,subject to legal challenge in a court of LAW.
Remember; In presenting the V.I Constitution,At the court at Buckingham Palace,on 13th JUNE,2007(9 years ago) in the presence of The Queen's Most Excellent Majesty in Council,the presenter wrote-"Acknowledging the society of the Virgin Islands is based upon certain moral,spiritual and democratic values including a belief in GOD,the Dignity of the Human Person,the freedom of the individual and respect for the Fundamental Rights and Freedoms and the RULE OF LAW".
The people of the Virgin Islands have been declared,law abiding citizens,who follow and understand the Rule of Law..
Because I have respect for law and authority in the Virgin Islands,and most importantly,The Law of the V.I Constitution,the most I will say in reacting to this appointment is,Congratulations to Her Majesty's representatives-His Excellency,The Governor;The Police Service Commission and Royal-Superintendent Jackie Vanterpool on her promotion,pursuant to section 97 of V.I Constitution,and wish her good health,strength and long-life so that she can continue serving in Her Majesty's Royal Virgin Islands Police Force to keep these beautiful islands safe.
May be other persons were qualified,but Jackie is the one whom the Governor appointed.