Governor threatens disciplinary action against Acting CoP over vetting matter
According to reports reaching our News Centre, Governor Pruce has written to the Acting Police Commissioner, accusing her of incorrectly telling police officers that the entire vetting process had been suspended and that she also encouraged officers not to submit further forms for the process.
Reports are that the governor has given the Acting Commissioner an ultimatum of midday, Friday, September 19, 2025, to 'correct' this information given to officers and has threatened disciplinary proceedings if there is non-compliance.
Court Order
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.
These include submitting prescribed vetting forms, third-party consent forms for financial disclosures, and written updates on changes to previously submitted information.
The temporary halt to certain provisions of the Police (Amendment) Regulations, 2025, came following a legal challenge by Sean A. McCall, Chairman of the Police Welfare Association (PWA), against Governor Daniel Pruce.
Gov Pruce forges ahead
According to the Governor, in his threatening letter to Ms Vanterpool, the court order suspended only the enforcement provisions of the vetting regulations. He said the vetting process itself remains ongoing, and officers may continue to submit forms and obtain clearance.
This was also confirmed publicly by the Governor in a press conference on August 26, 2025.
Governor Pruce reportedly told the Acting Commissioner that it had come to his attention that on August 22, 2025, she issued a message to RVIPF officers incorrectly stating that the entire vetting process had been suspended and encouraging officers not to submit further forms.
He also claimed that the Acting Commissioner acknowledged in a meeting on September 8, 2025, that she issued the message without seeking advice from the Attorney General or consulting him, despite him being in the Territory at the time.
Threat of disciplinary action
The Governor also claimed that he had asked Ms Vanterpool to correct her message to align with the terms of his press conference and the advice of the Attorney General; however, Ms Vanterpool maintained her position and indicated her intention to seek independent legal advice.
“For the avoidance of doubt, you are required to comply with the legal advice of the Attorney General, the Government's principal legal adviser and counsel in this matter.
The purpose of this letter is to instruct you to issue a corrective message to all RVIPF officers consistent with the advice of the Attorney General and in terms agreed with me, no later than midday on 19 September 2025. If you fail to do so, I will commence disciplinary proceedings,” Governor Pruce reportedly told the Acting Commissioner in his letter dated September 15, 2025.
‘Vetting must be done’ but…
Acting Commissioner of Police Ms Jacqueline E. Vanterpool, in an interview with JTV Channel 55 on May 9, 2025, said the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) fully supports vetting of its officers and that “it must be done.”
She added, however, that while it is a pivotal step for the RVIPF, officers are not “at a place of comfort” when it comes to the process.
“As I said, we have no problem with it, but the vetting form, it is very intrusive, very intrusive, in terms of the information that we have to disseminate on the form that is being asked.”
The Governor's Office, through its Policy and Communications Officer, Andre Blumier, said there's no comment from the Governor; however, she directed this news centre to the Governor's previous statement on the court order in relation to vetting.
In his statement, Governor Pruce said, "The vetting process continues, although the court order temporarily pauses enforcement against existing officers who do not complete their forms or require additional steps for a vetting clearance to be granted".
He also said he aspires for a highly professional and fully vetted police force.
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57 Responses to “Governor threatens disciplinary action against Acting CoP over vetting matter”
If you do not want to be vetted that is fine, we wish you well in you chosen career but you are not Police Officer material.
Please do not apply to be a Politician or a Public Servant we are want a better less corrupt VI.
Please join us.
Tigress, I served the public, nothing more, nothing less and THEY deserved to know that when they needed me and my colleagues, we attended in THEIR interest, not our own or some third party who had undue influence over us. That’s the basis of a legitimate police service that has public trust and confidence.
6 months ago, who in the BVI would have had the faith in RVIPF to pick up the phone, ring 311 and pass information about the criminal activities of the likes of ***** *******n? Very few as you have no idea who you’ll speak to and what they’d do with your intel; that is not the sign of a legitimate police service……
- It tests you, it weeds out the corrupt and the unsuitable.
- People choose to serve as Police Officers and in similar roles – and with that comes responsibility, integrity, and discretion.
- These officers must be vetted, or they should step down.
- Enough is enough – the public has the right to feel safe and be safe.
That means hundreds (sometimes thousands) of job applications never go forward, because the background checks show a clear conflict with the responsibilities of the role.
This is called security vetting.
It’s not unusual or unfair — it’s a normal part of life in most developed countries. It helps make sure the people we trust with safety, security, and law enforcement are truly fit for the job.
Dont you think when you continue to attack the man from London that he won't take it out on our people
will always say the COI sent down here by London have nothing to do with the average citizen, residents or visitors in BVI but our various government administrations
chat that
All public officers — not just police — should have to go through proper vetting.
Maybe then we would see less corruption and fewer daily scandals.
Just a thought…
1. Honest
2. Trustworthy
3. Carry integrity
4. A role model for the community
That all starts with vetting.
Without it, we can’t have confidence in the people sworn to protect and serve.
Why the officers are refusing to take part in the vetting process. Mr. Governor all those who don’t want to abide my the instructions then ask them to resign.
The police are getting a lot of money and you don’t see them foot patrolling in the district. To get a traffic accident report it takes for ever to get one. Many have joined the organization because it’s a good paying job but they don’t want to go to court to prosecute offenders. The police force is in a mess and need cleaning up. Officers still moon lighting
The vetting process continues, although the court order TEMPORARILY PAUSES enforcement against existing officers who do not complete their forms or require additional steps for a vetting clearance to be granted".
I want to believe that legally, an injunction or temporary pause can be considered a form of suspension because both can be short term orders intending to stop or pause an action until a final decision is made. Barring that, the governor seems to be proving the accusation of his bullying and intimidating antics against the Ag Commissioner of Police. An injunction brings all activities to a halt
You are really thinking with your @$$ not your head.
Jackie for Cop!!!
All the bvilanders in the force are with you ! We will pray for you and ask the lord to make table before you enemies. We will not rest
Jackie had the officers back so we going have she back!
You are not standing alone. We are right behind you!
The politicians make a decision they want to look into residence private life and have access to there bank accounts,socials, pin numbers etc
The residents decided hell no we going court and the court rules in residents favour stating no further actions from politicians until this is sorted out but the politicians turn around and threaten y'all and the court that y'all must still do what they asked you to do.
How does that sound? After thc court which is above them made a decision.... So we just ignoring the courts now? To hell with the law? Just let anyone in power position do wa them wa? Well tbh that been happening... apparently a norm here. Carry on...
Your bankbook, your cousin, your landlord be grilled.
No secret too tiny, no detail too small—
Transparency, people! We vetting you all!”
The police dem grumble, “Dis thing too deep.
Why you want know where my granny does sleep?”
But the crowd shout back, with a mighty cheer,
“Accountability, man! We want it clear!”
“Vetting for officers? That’s only half done—
Check de politicians who pocket de funds!
Check de big contracts, the trips overseas,
And all dem ‘allowance’ that grow like disease.”
The people now chanting in Road Town square,
“We want clean hands in the House up there!
Police or Premier, clerk or crew—
We demand vetting for ALL, not a few.”
So irony lingers, sweet as a stew:
The force must be vetted… but tell we true—
While they checking the cops like a crime-scene clue,
Who is policing the governors too?
There is one who used to work the right way. He was charged criminally and the matter is still happening before the court. Now he is a police officer.