(L-R) Talking Points Co-hosts Damion C. Grange, Violet Thomas-Gaul, guest Interim Acting Commissioner of Police Richard Ullger and Co-host Elvin G. Grant. Photo: Facebook

Interim Acting Commissioner of Police (ACoP) Ricahrd Ullger has said he is in the Virgin Islands to do as much as he can to improve the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force. Photo: RVIPF

Ricahrd Ullger was sworn in as Interim Acting Commissioner of Police on November 19, 2025, after being selected by Governor Daniel Pruce. Photo: Office of the Governor/Facebook/File

Ullger was appointed to the position by Governor Daniel Pruce and sworn in on November 19, 2025, for three months, which is due to expire on February 28, 2026. Governor Pruce has, however, extended Ullger’s tenure by another 3 months. 

Former ACoP Jacqueline E. Vanterpool was reverted to her substantive post as Deputy CoP after leading the RVIPF for over a year.  

‘This is not about me’- Ullger

During Talking Points on ZBVI 780 AM on Monday, February 23, 2026, Ullger said police officers and staff were “unsettled” when he first came in, but attributed that to what they were reading and hearing.

“That can unsettle people when you don’t know the true facts.”

Ullger said, however, that as he started working with the force over the past few months, he believes he has reassured them that he is here to support them and try to improve things. 

“This is not about me, not at all. I’ve had my wonderful 37 years of policing …I am here to impart as much as I can in respect to my leadership, my knowledge, any sharing I can provide to make the RVIPF a better workforce, a better organisation. That’s what my intention is, for however short it may be, that’s what my intention is.”

He also said it is important to note that he is here for a “very short time”. 

Using past experiences in the VI

Co-host Damion C. Grange asked Ullger, “Were you given a specific scope of work for your tenure?”

Ullger replied that while he was not given a specific list of what he needed to do in taking over the RVIPF, what was important to him was coming into the RVIPF and providing an element of stability and leading in a way that needed to change

“That’s what’s been happening. I’ve been leading on very important areas of policing, which I think is very important.”

He added that he hopes to implement some of the things he learned during his time as Commissioner of the Royal Gibraltar Police Force. 

“Some of the things that I’ve been asked to do in the RVIPF are things I’ve already dealt with successfully in the Royal Gibraltar Police, and therefore it comes easy and natural for me to be able to impart that knowledge and experience with the command team and the workforce.”