Civil society petitions Governor to confirm Vanterpool as CoP
The petition, ‘Signature Petition Letter for Ms. Jacqueline Vanterpool to hold the position of Commissioner of Police for the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force’, and seen by Virgin Islands News Online (VINO), is dated April 30, 2025.
“We unite in solidarity in working towards common goals that enhance the safety and quality of life for all residents of the Virgin Islands. This signed petition is for Ms. Jacqueline Vanterpool to hold the post of Commissioner of Police for the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force. This request is a testament to our commitment to building a stronger, more resilient, law-abiding territory,” the petition reads.
The petitioners said that confirming Ms Vanterpool as CoP will make a difference in shaping the present and future of the Territory’s peace, safety and heightened compliance with matters of overall investigations concerning law, order and respect for the law.
“In addition, we all believe that there will be greater cooperation and higher morale amongst members of the police force,” it added.
Acting CoP Vanterpool is the ‘prime candidate’
According to the petition, Acting CoP Vanterpool’s extraordinary experience in law enforcement, understanding of the cultural history of the territory, familiarity with the exodus of the multiversity in the population, the geopolitical landscape, her deep commitment to justice, and strong relationships with members of the territory make her the prime candidate for the position.
“We pledge deeply to justice, law, and order in our territory. We would like you to consider our concerns in choosing Ms. Vanterpool for the position of Commissioner of Police, as we represent the voices of the greater territory,” the petition continued.
The petition was signed by several prominent and respected members of society.
Signatures include former legislator Dr Kedrick D. Pickering, former legislator and former Speaker of the House of Assembly Keith L. Flax, former Chief Planner Louis Potter, talk show hosts Claude O. Skelton-Cline and Cromwell Smith aka 'Edju En Ka', and businessmen Wesley Penn, Burton Chalwell, and Romney Penn, and many public officers who cannot be named.
Vanterpool has been doing a 'fantastic job' but...
Ms Vanterpool has been acting in the office of CoP since the retirement of former CoP Mark Collins since October 24, 2024. She disclosed in April 2025 that she had applied for the position and was scheduled to be interviewed when the vacancy announcement was made in early 2024. However, Governor Pruce stopped the recruitment process pending the release of the second volume of the law enforcement review, which he said would give even more guidelines for the recruitment process.
Following the release of the law enforcement review volume two last month, the Governor restarted the recruitment process.
Ms Vanterpool said only a few days following the publication of the vacancy for CoP, that she had not yet resubmitted her application.
The deadline for submission is May 30, 2025, and she has not made it known if she has in fact applied for the position.
Members of the Virgin Islands community, from political leaders to radio show hosts, have publicly come out in support of Vanterpool for the job.
Governor Pruce has publicly admitted that Vanterpool has been doing a "fantastic job"; however, there are concerns that he is leaning towards a United Kingdom (UK) national for the post.
See link to related articles:
'Where is the petition' to make Jacqueline E. Vanterpool permanent CoP?- 'Masa' Pemberton
Jacqueline E. Vanterpool 'is more than able to lead’ the RVIPF- Skelton-Cline
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26 Responses to “Civil society petitions Governor to confirm Vanterpool as CoP ”
so might as well get one more local in power to complete it!
who's with me!!!
WADE SMITH FOR LIFEEEE
The UK should know, if they meant well, that the RVIPF cannot have two standards of recruitment and promotion of candidates. The standards have to be consistent throughout.
Any other method or approach undermines the culture of the organization and promotes a subculture of division that dominoes into low morale, disunity, and corruption.
They have not done anything different than what we can produce. The UK does not have a credible track record of improving their own police force, but here they are- experimenting and playing gods over us, and positioning their kind in positions of power and authority over us.
We must push back at any cost, or else we will be replaced by them, never to hold these positions again for generations to come, becoming more complacent in our own territory.
We can neither develop a philosophy of indifference and ignore the advantage that is being taken. The heroic struggle of our ancestors to get to where we are, regardless of what they think of us, must not be ignored, nor devalued.
Any citizen or belonger who does not participate in shaping the future of our territory moving forward, must be seen and looked at as a traitor to our country, and must not be trusted. Point Blank! Period!
Following the abandonment of Trading African Men and Women in this British Overseas Territory somewhere back in 1834: Our People move forward and develop the British Overseas Territory that U seeing in 2025
Her comes London!!!!