Virgin Gorda resident and eco-activist Jahnai L. Caul has called on Governor Daniel Pruce to pause using constitutional powers granted to him under the Constitution of the Virgin Islands (VI) since it is under review. Photo: Facebook

Governor Daniel Pruce used discretionary powers granted to him under Section 97 of the Constitution of the Virgin Islands not to appoint Acting Commissioner of Police Jacqueline E. Vanterpool as Commissioner instead reverting her to her substantive position as Deputy Commissioner of Police. Photo: RVIPF

Caul was a panellist on My BVI on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, following the decision by Governor Daniel Pruce to revert Acting Commissioner of Police (CoP) Jacqueline E. Vanterpool to her substantive position as Deputy CoP, effective November 18, 2025. 

Governor Pruce used discretionary powers granted to him under Section 97 of the Constitution of the Virgin Islands not to appoint Ms Vanterpool as CoP. 

The current constitution is under review 

Caul said the current constitution is about 18 years old, outdated and currently the subject of a review. The Constitution of the Virgin Islands was last negotiated with the United Kingdom in 2007. 

“I believe that any and every subject that has been highlighted under the review, the public review of the constitution can now be questioned by the people once they have been exerted by these authoritative powers.”

He added that the powers of the Governor to be devolved of such powers and shifted to the elected government have been one of the main topics under the Constitution review and was one of the terms of reference initiated by the Commission of Inquiry (CoI). 

“And so for me at this point…under the review of our constitution, I find it very undemocratic that the Governor can exert any such overarching power granted by him…and particularly as we talk about enforcement of internal and external security.”

Governor ‘should hold his brakes’

Caul continued, “These things can now be questioned by we the people until that review is complete, the review of the Constitution…I think the Governor has to hold his brakes in terms of the exertion of his powers under the Constitution because we are under a review of the very document you are working by."

He said the behaviour of the Governor and his interpretation of his powers under the Constitution is what has disturbed him the most about the entire ordeal. 

“Just using the Constitution as a shield, I want to say, is an insult to the nature of our democracy…this is the initial position I am getting from the position of the Governor.”