Social Commentator Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline has said the situation regarding Acting Commissioner of Police (CoP) Jacqueline E. Vanterpool was the catalyst needed to question democracy in the Virgin Islands. Photo: Facebook

Scenes from the March for Democracy on November 14, 2025. Photo: Facebook/My BVI

Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline questioned the timing of Oppositon Leader Hon Myron V. Walwyn's criticism of the government which took place on the same day of the March for Democracy on November 14, 2025. Photo: YouTube/HoA

According to Governor Daniel Pruce, by way of a statement on November 7, 2025, Ms Vanterpool was to report to work at the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) back to her substantive position as Deputy Commissioner of Police effective yesterday, November 18, 2025. 

Reports, which have surfaced, revealed the Police Service Commission (PoSC) was against removing Ms Vanterpool as Acting CoP; however, Governor Pruce, using colonial powers granted to him under the 2007 Constitution of the Virgin Islands, went ahead with his decision. 

He nominated the former Gibraltar Commissioner of Police, Richard Ullger, to be interim Acting CoP. Governor Pruce had said that if confirmed, Ullger's appointment would be temporary, as he was not nominated for the position of CoP permanently. 

The bigger picture is democracy

During his radio show, Honestly Speaking on BVI 780 AM on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, titled ’National Labour Pains’, Skelton-Cline said last week’s protest action and activities were in relation to the democracy of the VI. 

“Acting Commissioner Vanterpool’s situation just gave an occasion for us to deal with the bigger picture, which is democracy. If in fact, do we really actually have a real democracy in these Virgin Islands, or is it indeed an infact and in law that colonisation is still ruling the day, despite our 2007 Constitution, which I hold up here before you.”

He added that these are real and legitimate questions. 

Did Hon Walwyn take much-needed publicity away?

Skelton-Cline also noted Opposition Leader Hon Myron V. Walwyn’s criticism of the government of the day last week. 

“My only concern with that was that it was being done on the same day of the march, when all of our energies and efforts should have been expended towards addressing this matter with the UK relative to our democracy.”

He said if someone is in disagreement with the government of the day, there is a time and place for everything. 

“There will be a time and place, then the ballot box at least by July, June of 2027, where you can weigh in, and I trust you will weigh in with some finality as to whether or not you go forward with this current group, or is there another?”