Governor Daniel Pruce has said his decision to return Acting Commissioner of Police (CoP) Jacqueline E. Vanterpool to her position as Deputy Commissioner of Police was in the best interest of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF). Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands/RVIPF

(l-r) Talking Points Co-hosts Damion C. Grange, Violet Thomas-Gaul, guest Governor Daniel Pruce, and Co-host Elvin G. Grant. Photo: Facebook

While members of the public gathered in the parking lot of the Governor’s Office, Governor Pruce was the guest on Talking Points on ZBVI 780 AM on Monday, November 10, 2025. 

Governor Pruce, on November 7, 2025, informed the Virgin Islands in a statement of his decision to remove Ms Vanterpool as Acting CoP and nominate a United Kingdom national, Richard Ullger, a former CoP in Gibraltar. 

Talking Points co-host Damion C. Grange asked the governor to explain to the people of the Virgin Islands why he made the decision he did, as many were confused. 

“I totally recognise and understand that people are very concerned about the circumstances of this decision for a range of perfectly legitimate reasons, but my duty is in relation to the police force as an organisation,” he tried to reason. 

Governor Pruce said that while the RVIPF is an organisation of individuals, his job is to make decisions that ensure the RVIPF as a body of people functions effectively and successfully. 

Recent developments played a factor

The governor also suggested that recent developments in the VI influenced his decision. 

“The circumstances that have come to be through developments in recent weeks and months that I felt it was my duty to exercise judgment, which will see Acting Commissioner Vanterpool revert back to her Deputy Commissioner role…initiate the process to bring in an interim Acting Commissioner and whoever that may be.” 

Although he did not elaborate on what the specific developments were, there are speculations that it may have been his falling out with Ms Vanterpool regarding the vetting process for police officers. 

Reports to our newsroom in September 2025 indicated that Governor Pruce wrote to Vanterpool, accusing her of incorrectly telling police officers that the entire vetting process had been suspended as per a court order and that she also encouraged officers not to submit further forms for the process. 

He also threatened disciplinary action against her if she did not comply with his order to correct the information she disseminated to officers. 

However, Vanterpool had only conveyed the decision of the court to police officers, sources said.

The injunction, issued on August 11, 2025, by Acting Justice Akilah Anderson, and reissued August 25, 2025, prevents the Commissioner of Police, the Police Service Commission or any agents from initiating disciplinary or criminal proceedings against current members of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) and Auxiliary Force for failing to comply with specific vetting requirements.

Vanterpool not being demoted- Governor

The governor said that while he did put forward his nominee for interim Acting CoP, he expects that whoever is ultimately decided upon is someone who will bring additional perspectives and experience to the police force. 

Governor Pruce also tried to clarify that Ms Vanterpool is not being demoted. She was asked to return to her position as Deputy CoP effective November 18, 2025. 

“This is not a demotion, it’s not a sacking, she is returning to her permanent substantive appointment where she will still have an enormous contribution to make to the force,” he said.

Many in the Virgin Islands, however, believe the governor is using the vetting matter to carry out his plan to bypass Vanterpool, who is highly qualified for the post and is the recommendation of the Police Service Commission, and bring in a UK national to serve as Police Commissioner.

There is further outrage that the governor's choice is a man with a checkered past, which further brings the integrity of the governor himself into question.