In what some have described as 2-faced and the definition of hypocrisy, the United Kingdom-appointed Governor of the Virgin Islands, Daniel Pruce, has praised the efforts of the Police Service Commission (PoSC) but has once again overruled its decision by moving forward with a three-month extension for Richard Ullger to remain Interim Acting Police Commissioner. Photo: Facebook

Richard Ullger who was officially sworn in as the Interim Acting Commissioner of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) on November 19, 2025 three-month tenure should end on February 28, 2026. Photo: Facebook/File

Governor Daniel Pruce, left, had publicly praised the work of Ms Jacqueline E. Vanterpool as Acting Commissioner of Police, but still refused to have her confirmed to the post. Photo: GIS/File

During a press conference on Monday, February 23, 2026, Pruce commended the works of the Police Service Commission in the process of appointing a permanent Commissioner of Police, stating, "I should actually take this opportunity to pay tribute to the work of the Police Service Commission, who have the responsibility working with myself and colleagues in the NSC to ensure that the process to recruit into this really important position is a successful one, and that it's conducted diligently and effectively."

Empty words

However, time and time again, it has been clear that Governor Pruce overrides the authority of the commission, which makes his praises of the PoSC just empty words.

It was in 2024, for example, that the Police Service Commission rejected the renewal of a contract for the then handpicked Assistant Commissioner of Police, UK National Pam Trevillion. This decision was endorsed by the National Security Council (NSC), as there were many senior police officers more qualified than Ms Trevillion. However, Governor Pruce went against the recommendation of both the PoSC and the NSC and granted Ms Trevillion a six-month extension on her contract.

Also in 2024, Mr Pruce interfered with the recruitment process by stopping the Police Service Commission from making a recommendation to him for a new CoP- some legal experts said the move was illegal. Many police critics alleged it was because his hand-picked favourite, Pam Trevillion, a UK National, did not make the final cut. 

When the recruitment process resumed, and it appeared that the PoSC and the NSC were poised to support Ms Jacqueline E. Vanterpool, the most qualified Virgin Islander for the top job, Mr Pruce once again interfered with the process.

Gov Pruce's continued disregard for PoSC

In 2025, the PoSC rejected Governor Pruce's recommendation to remove the then Acting Commissioner of Police, Ms Vanterpool and revert her to the substantive post of Deputy Commissioner. Governor Pruce, once again, refused to accept the recommendation of the PoSC and Ms Vanterpool was removed from the post of Acting CoP.

In November 2025, Governor Pruce, in his relentless determination to have a UK national head the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF), recommended Richard Ullger to the PoSC. However, sources confirmed to our News Centre that the PoSC rejected the Governor’s choice in a letter and stood by its recommendation of Ms Vanterpool.

Pruce again dismissed the recommendation of the PoSC and appointed Ullger.

It should be noted that Governor Pruce had publicly praised the work of Ms Vanterpool as Acting CoP, but still refused to have her confirmed to the post.

At his press conference on Monday, February 23, 2026, Governor Pruce said the recommendation provided by the Police Service Commission has been considered within the National Security Council; however, the process will continue for a longer period.

Many in the public may now find it hard to believe anything the Governor says.