Hands off our Commissioner protest planned for Monday
Bishop John I. Cline, who earlier this week called for some form of protest action, is one of the organisers for Monday’s protest.
He told Virgin Islands News Online (VINO), today, Saturday, November 8, 2025, “We’re asking the BVI community, big and small, large and great, politicians, church community to come out because it is necessary to stand up against certain decisions by the Governor.”
Bishop Cline said it is necessary as Ms Vanterpool had applied for the position and was instead passed over for the former Gibraltar Commissioner of Police, Richard Ullger.
“The Governor has not seen it fit to allow due process and replace her with someone from Gibraltar who has a checkered past himself and has been under investigation in his home country. More importantly, Jackie Vanterpool is a longstanding police [officer] and has come up through the ranks.”
Jacky has the capacity to lead the RVIPF
Bishop Cline also said a message must be sent to the Governor, and the manner in which he made this decision.
“He has said that she has done an excellent job, and to remove her without cause or without a reason to her or the public or to the government, I believe that is something we should stand up against.”
Bishop Cline added that Ms Vanterpool is a Virgin Islander who has the capacity and what it takes to be the Commissioner of Police.
“She has demonstrated that in her post as acting, and there is not reason why she should be removed from that position, so we are protesting in demonstration against that decision.”
Gov’t welcomed to join
During a press conference yesterday, Friday, November 7, 2025, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) and Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) voiced their support for the people’s decision to protest against Governor Pruce’s decision.
Bishop Cline told VINO, the event is non-partisan and the support of the government is welcome.
“The government should stand with the people who [were] elected to represent them, and their presence is more than welcome. They should be front and centre of this whole thing and join with the people and stand with the people, they work for the people.”
Monday’s protest is scheduled to begin at 3:30 PM at the Governor’s Office Parking Lot, rescheduled from the previously advertised commencement of 8:00 AM.
This change, he explained, will give people the time to go to work in the morning, get some things done and take an early afternoon so they can “come and stand in solidarity with Jackie Vanterpool and the police in that matter”.
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28 Responses to “Hands off our Commissioner protest planned for Monday”
We have been searching for weeks,none
What about the scooters?
The prisonneer ?
The stupid racing cars in the morning
Ppl like u are the reason this country how it is......he is not deciding wio is the commissioner he is standing against the BS our country faces and ur retarded a$$ making it personal with Cline....you need to go siddung with ur ungrateful a** He is doin smg.....what are u doing ?
She applied to be permanent in a role that she has been acting in. I don't believe she was appointed as Commissioner.
I am upset too that she didn't get the job. And, I don't know her personally. But, she doesn't have to speak on it. She doesn't have to be at the March either.
Monday Morning March! Leh we do this ting!
The guy coming in will not last long...
Against crime when the previous Premier was arrested?
When the innocent little girl was shot dead?
Against the Greedy Bill?
When $200k+ was paid for Vybz Kartel's performance?
When the guy in VG died outside the clinic because it was closed?
Need I say more? Utter hypocrisy.
B*** just know we are marching for Jackie bottom line!!!
You sound like a house slave; “Yes, massah!”
Because being white and a UK national is always what’s right and best for the Territory, right? SMH.
It’s like no one is paying attention to what’s happening in the Region. Unlike the USA, the UK doesn’t need to come in with force, troops, and/or warships. Most Caribbean countries were, or still are, Overseas Territories or Colonies (OTCs). They’re quietly stepping in and reshaping leadership to fit their own agenda. This is bigger than just Ms. Vanterpool not getting the job as COP!
I swear, some of you are still outside in the dirt playing marbles instead of watching the chessboard. Jesus Christ, PAY ATTENTION!!!!
The Governor does have the constitutional authority to appoint the Commissioner of Police. But that authority comes with an equal duty of transparency and fairness, especially when local leadership is being replaced after positive performance. When decisions like this happen without public reasoning, it erodes trust not just between government and community, but between residents themselves.
Here’s what’s at stake for everyone living here:
Public Confidence: The police serve all of us. When their leadership changes abruptly and the process isn’t explained, both officers and civilians lose trust in the system. That can affect morale, recruitment, and even response times.
Community Safety: If people feel alienated from law enforcement, they’re less likely to report crimes or cooperate with investigations. That hurts public safety across the board — locals and expats alike.
Social Cohesion: The Virgin Islands has a delicate balance between its local heritage and its large resident population from elsewhere. Lack of transparency in major decisions deepens division and resentment, when what we need is shared accountability and inclusion.
Governance & Self-Determination: The Constitution allows the UK to manage security matters, but we also have mechanisms for local oversight. When those are bypassed or ignored, it delays progress toward responsible self-governance and makes reform harder for future generations.
Nobody is saying partnership with the UK should end — but partnership means mutual respect. We can’t strengthen our institutions by silencing capable local leadership or making big decisions in the dark.
Whether you support Ms Vanterpool personally or not, this is about fair process, institutional respect, and the right of the community to understand and question decisions that shape its safety and governance.
Transparency benefits everyone — born here, moved here, or serving here. Lack of it divides us all.