Acting Commissioner of Police Jacqueline E. Vanterpool has said community policing is the identity of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF). Photo: Facebook/RVIPF

114 police officers received certificates of completion in the training programs on September 5, 2025. Photo: Facebook

Acting Commissioner of Police Jacqueline E. Vanterpool told police officers who completed the Community Policing Training and the dvanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training that they are ambassadors of the vision for a police force that listens, understands and protects with strength and compassion. Photo: Facebook

Ms Vanterpool was speaking during the closing ceremony for Community Policing Training and the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training on Friday, September 5, 2025, at the New Life Baptist Church. 

The Acting Commissioner called the ceremony a defining moment for the RVIPF. 

“We celebrate not only the completion of an intensive training program but also the launch of a very renewed vision; one that places our communities, partnerships, and service at the very heart of policing.”

Community policing is my passion- Acting CoP Vanterpool

Community policing has always been a significant part of the platforms of police commissioners over the years. 

On Friday, 114 police officers received certificates of completion in the training programs.

"Yet somewhere along the way, the vision met an impasse which was never truly overcome. Community policing has long been my passion, so much so that it forms the cornerstone of my 100-day plan, as I look forward to the completion of the Commissioner’s process,” she stated. 

Ms Vanterpool said she has walked among the people in the communities, listened carefully to their concerns and made a promise to deliver on their call for a police force tuned to the citizenry, that listens and does not shout, is firm yet approachable and engaging; a police force that is engaging, practices essential skills such as respect that flows both ways,, and above all a police force that always demonstrates professionalism, serving as an example of integrity and dedication to the highest standard of public service. 

“Today, we can proudly say that we have not always gotten it right…but the impasse of yesteryear has been removed. We are properly invested in the foundation of policing,” the Acting Commissioner of Police added. 

Community Policing is our identity

She continued that not only are they invested in community policing, but have secured continuity with the training of 22 of the officers who completed the Community Policing Training as Community Policing Trainers. 

This, she said, ensures “that this foundation remains stable and endures long into the future”. 

For those still hesitant and uncertain about how the RVIPF would move forward with the Community Policing initiative, she said “Let me be clear: community policing is not a department, it is not a side initiative, it is not a passing project; community policing is our identity, it is how we serve, how we lead and how we build trust about the community.”

The communities, according to Ms Vanterpool, are asking for a police force that listens, understands and protects with strength and compassion and therefore she told the police graduates that they are now ambassadors of that vision. 

“We have recognised that policing will never succeed if we believe we can do it all by ourselves; partnership is a word that we must understand and integrate into our daily interactions. We must acknowledge our shortcomings, recognise the expertise of others and utilise professionals in their areas of skill and competence.”

See link to related story 

https://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/en/news/police-officers-new-skills-will-shape-the-very-future-of-policing-acting-cop-vanterpool