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High Court temporarily blocks Governor’s police vetting process

- Controversial vetting process was deemed 'very intrusive'
The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) in the High Court of Justice (Civil Division) has dealt a blow to United Kingdom-appointed Governor Daniel Pruce, left, seen here with Acting Commissioner of Police Jacqueline E. Vanterpool, by granting an injunction preventing the Governor from proceeding with the controversial vetting of police officers until the court rules otherwise. Photo: GIS/File
The Police Welfare Association (PWA), led by its Chairman Mr Sean A. Mcall, had moved to the courts over the controversial vetting process required of law enforcement officers. Photo: Facebook/File
The Police Welfare Association (PWA), led by its Chairman Mr Sean A. Mcall, had moved to the courts over the controversial vetting process required of law enforcement officers. Photo: Facebook/File
Under the order of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC), the government must confirm within 14 days whether any vetting information has been forwarded to independent bodies as outlined in the regulations. The parties have 21 days to submit written arguments on costs. Photo: ECSC
Under the order of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC), the government must confirm within 14 days whether any vetting information has been forwarded to independent bodies as outlined in the regulations. The parties have 21 days to submit written arguments on costs. Photo: ECSC
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) in the High Court of Justice (Civil Division) has dealt a blow to United Kingdom-appointed Governor Daniel Pruce by granting an injunction preventing the Governor from proceeding with the controversial vetting of police officers until the court rules otherwise.

The injunction, issued on August 11, 2025, by Acting Justice Akilah Anderson, prevents the Commissioner of Police and the Police Service Commission 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.

The PWA had applied to the High Court in June 2025 for an injunction against the “very intrusive” process until the concerns of officers are adequately addressed.

The PWA contends the vetting process, introduced through the 2024 and 2025 amendments, is unconstitutional and infringes on officers’ rights under the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007.

Vetting form ‘very intrusive’

Further, the PWA stated that the Police Amendment Regulations centralise authority and much initial activity in the Defendant [Governor] to act as complainant and investigator, when by statute, he is also to play an appellate role in final decision-making.

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.”

Under the court’s order, the government must confirm within 14 days whether any vetting information has been forwarded to independent bodies as outlined in the regulations. The parties have 21 days to submit written arguments on costs.

See related article below:

Police officers taking governor to court over ‘very intrusive’ vetting process

40 Responses to “High Court temporarily blocks Governor’s police vetting process”

  • Is the BVI a Real Place (12/08/2025, 11:34) Like (56) Dislike (26) Reply
    This decision is absolutely ludicrous. Why would you want to protect dishonest officers. Come on Dame Hodge get a grip with these clowns
    • John (12/08/2025, 12:04) Like (24) Dislike (37) Reply
      This has nothing to do with corrupt officers because they will not be spared. It’s about the slave masters wanted to do anything with what they considered as their property.
      • @John (12/08/2025, 20:50) Like (17) Dislike (6) Reply
        why you talk about slave masters 200 years later. The island has been self governing for decades and you keep on playing your old tune of slave master this, colonial that. Pathetic excuses for not doing better on this island of corruption, adultery and crime...
    • ... (12/08/2025, 18:21) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
      An injunction is not a verdict. It’s a pause button, not a full stop. The court has temporarily restrained action pending full review, not ruled on the constitutionality of the vetting regime.
    • for real (12/08/2025, 20:36) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      You ignorant
  • Cindy (12/08/2025, 11:46) Like (29) Dislike (33) Reply
    This is good news against the racist mob behavior thinking we are all corrupt
    • The Court is wrong. (12/08/2025, 12:29) Like (33) Dislike (17) Reply
      Ghe request by the Gov and co.missioner for vetting purposes in my view is fair & warranted. .These Judges need to relax and let the system process work..
    • @cindy (12/08/2025, 20:51) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
      not all, only 90% is corrupt..blessed is our God who sees everything
  • CLAP CLAP CLAP (12/08/2025, 12:17) Like (22) Dislike (23) Reply
    Positive ruling let us start by vetting governors and uk police officers
    • Two distructive persons (12/08/2025, 15:51) Like (20) Dislike (14) Reply
      Who vetted Daniel pruce and hickenbottom
      • @2 destructive person..Wrong (13/08/2025, 06:11) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
        I can assure you, those 2 you are talking about had real competition for their position and the vetting was vigorous and legally binding...Vetting is a normal process for any position in any field, All Law enforcement personnel must be vetted.
        • @@2 destructive persons …right (13/08/2025, 08:18) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
          You not going fool me with that hogwash !!! They were both hand picked with their racist agendas even ray charles can see that
  • ... (12/08/2025, 12:56) Like (11) Dislike (7) Reply
    The police that want complete immunity for damages and mistakes over everyone else want their rights to privacy. You can't make this up.
  • Anonymous (12/08/2025, 13:27) Like (22) Dislike (7) Reply
    This is a good day for the bvi and justice let the governor go vet mark Collins
  • Informed (12/08/2025, 15:12) Like (25) Dislike (7) Reply
    Lets not forget the 2 Tons of cocaine discovered in the Police mans garden in a container and 3 yard truck. THis was the Biggest Drug Bust ever on British Soil even above the UK so its a major concern when people dont want to be vetted. If you have nothing to hide its not an issue. The BVI wants to become independent and wont become this until the corruption is stamped out and people are held accountable. Then the BVI can thrive and be the wonderful place we want it to become.
    • guy hill (13/08/2025, 06:53) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
      @ Informed. It may not have been the biggest drug bust.
      • fact (13/08/2025, 08:42) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
        Yes it was actually - biggest seizure in BVI and second biggest by a UK force.
        • Marty Probasco (13/08/2025, 15:08) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
          @Fact.. Some of you are easily led astray by theses UK Blokes when they want to tarnish the BVI.. WoW.
      • guy hill (13/08/2025, 15:06) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
        @Informed. 2.6 tons of marijuana was intercepted at Coper Island in 1993. FYI.
  • I support the bros (12/08/2025, 15:37) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Don't mind the noise once Aya locking up your own and getting guns and pushing big drug bust I with y'all!!!
  • de silent one (12/08/2025, 18:10) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    It seems as though that the vetting process need to be revisited for clarity as it relates to the form and questioning. The vetting should/must proceed for total transparency, you do nothing, you fare nothing period
  • justin (12/08/2025, 20:23) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    whatever happened to those policemen who have been charged with criminal conduct while on active duty and somewhere given bail but no longer in this jurisdiction
  • @The Court is wrong (12/08/2025, 21:14) Like (0) Dislike (5) Reply
    U is who wrong u is one big C**t
    • I said the court is Wrong. (13/08/2025, 06:03) Like (43) Dislike (1) Reply
      Too much Same sex relationship inside that organization. Hope that question is on the vetting form. Along with being a member or an associate of a criminal gang..,,. Police Force is, should be an organization to be the example of great didciplined and high moral standards, Look how some of them dress on the Streets, seems like some are affiliated with the bad boys...Vetting is a must.. No compromized...Go an investigate and pull strings with vino insiders to find who against the judge decision and target them, you good at that.
    • HMMM (13/08/2025, 06:16) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      Being upset and calling people names because they disagreed with the court decision, that's the bully in you, trying to bully Vino staff into giving you information..
  • Very Intrusive (12/08/2025, 23:14) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    A small win for the police dept now.????????????. That section of the bill needs revamping. It is too intrusive.
  • The TRUTH (13/08/2025, 04:38) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    Sadly this resistance is led by an officer already arrested and charged with dishonesty. The vetting of police is a fundamental requirement for public trust. We have to know that the police can be trusted and corrupt ones are rooted out. Sadly the BVI will continue to remain behind everyone else when it comes to basic things like knowing police officers are not corrupt. The PWA leadership clearly have something to hide too!
    • @ The TRUTH (13/08/2025, 08:25) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      The average person believe in vetting it’s best practice, but all we are saying is also vet the whites too, the governors, the uk police officers and the governors uk white staff, they are also corrupt!!!

      We want all persons vetted that is the point when it’s only the black people then something is wrong and I grew up in Chicago and we call that white supremacy
      • The TRUTH (13/08/2025, 12:06) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
        This is so sad, that you actually believe the whites from the UK are not vetted! I can absolutely confirm the vetting for working within the Governors office or the police when employed from the UK is mandatory and much, much more intrusive than the few questions being asked of our ‘honest’ RVIPF officers!
    • Ignorance is no excuse to the law (13/08/2025, 09:56) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Blame Mark Collins and Jackie for this. Mark created this mess and refused to deal with this officer and refused to deal with it.
      • The TRUTH (13/08/2025, 13:05) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
        Collins had dealt with it Jackie undid it in a deal with him as she had sent an email to the whole of the force questioning his integrity as the chair of the PWA
    • Hush (15/08/2025, 05:53) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Arrested and charged. There was bo evidence against him and thatvwas thrown out so learn your facts . It was just victimization cause he dared to speak up against the slave master
  • Confucious (13/08/2025, 06:43) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Many individuals tend to focus solely on headlines and overlook the details of the article. The police do not oppose the concept of vetting; rather, they object to the vetting inquiries that violate individuals' constitutional rights. The constitutional right to privacy is fundamental, and it is inappropriate to proceed without establishing constitutionally mandated committees or boards to protect personal rights. The police simply request that the vetting process respects the Constitution and does not infringe upon it.
  • START in HOUSE first (13/08/2025, 08:25) Like (24) Dislike (1) Reply
    Vetting all police officers and other law enforcement personnel in the BVI is vital to maintain public trust, prevent corruption, and protect the territory’s security. It ensures that only individuals with integrity, professionalism, and no criminal ties are entrusted with positions of authority. Proper vetting also safeguards sensitive information, strengthens cooperation with international partners, and upholds the highest standards of accountability and good governance.

  • facts (13/08/2025, 08:38) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    Every police force in the world has vetting procedures. Of course they are intrusive!! If you don’t like it become a politician or a Minister. The fact is the Governor and all of the U.K. police officers that have ever assisted the BVI have all been vetted to a very high level. And much more intrusive than what is being rejected. A very sad day for the BVI
  • 2024 (13/08/2025, 08:38) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    If you should desire to execute the laws of the land then you to be very trust worthy because most police hails from outside this territory and not well known in the various villages
  • Trust and honesty (13/08/2025, 08:45) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Vetting must be mandatory for all police officers and law enforcement personnel. It is the only way to guarantee integrity, accountability, and public trust. No officer should be above checks and balances, because the power to enforce the law comes with the highest responsibility. Mandatory vetting ensures fairness, closes the door to corruption, and protects the reputation and safety of the entire country.
  • RedStorm (13/08/2025, 15:05) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Whenever you start to vet those racist UK police officers then the rest of us will agree to vetting as the double standards is a red flag for me and other local law enforcement
    • ok (14/08/2025, 10:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      They are vetted..unlike these that never vetted...like so many in the force
  • ok (14/08/2025, 10:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Woke judge strikes again...trying to avoid embarrassment..no shame.


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