Acting Commissioner of Police Jacqueline E. Vanterpool addressing the start of a three-week community policing training in the VI

VI Police Offiers enagaged in three week training program organized by RVIPF

Expert from Officium Training Limited in Trinidad and Tobago addressing Three week taining program in VI

In line with this vision, the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has launched a three-week Community Policing Training initiative aimed at transforming how officers engage with the community to enhance trust and proactively prevent crime.

The training will be conducted in one-week cohorts. The first cohort began on Monday, August 11.

This programme is facilitated by distinguished experts from Officium Training Limited in Trinidad and Tobago, and aligns with Acting Commissioner Vanterpool’s strategic vision that policing should focus not just on enforcement, but also on building meaningful relationships with the communities served.

Building trust

The training will equip officers with practical tools to turn routine encounters into opportunities for building trust.

Officers will learn to identify emerging issues before they escalate into crises, engage meaningfully with residents to address problems rather than simply writing reports, and view everyday interactions—whether at local shops, schools, or community gatherings—as essential for gathering intelligence, preventing crime, and fostering confidence in law enforcement.

The RVIPF has expressed its commitment to providing the necessary resources, leadership support, and a policy framework for this cultural transformation.

Acting Commissioner Vanterpool emphasised that success ultimately depends on officers embracing community engagement as a core aspect of their work and building lasting trust with residents.

The training programme represents a significant step in the RVIPF’s ongoing efforts to enhance proactive policing strategies, strengthen community partnerships, and redefine what it means to protect and serve in the Virgin Islands.