The new training programme for law enforcement officers in the Virgin Islands will last for two years, and successful participants will receive an Associate's Degree. Photo: RVIPF/File

Dr Connie E. George, left, the Director of the Virgin Islands Public Service Learning Institute, during the special feature with Communications Officer II, Mr Eusa Z. Adams on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.

Dr Connie E. George, the Director of the Virgin Islands Public Service Learning Institute, announced this during a special feature with Communications Officer II, Mr Eusa Z. Adams, regarding VIPSLI's 2025 Mid-Year Update on Facebook on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.

The new training programme for law enforcement officers in the Virgin Islands will last for two years, and successful participants will receive an Associate's Degree.

The programme is being developed in partnership with a reputable institution based in the Caribbean, which has its origins in the United States; however, the name of the institution has not yet been officially revealed.

The director of VIPSLI stated, "Our main goal, our main purpose, is to strengthen the capability and the readiness of the Virgin Islands Public Service and, definitely as we equip them, we want them to make a difference in the service that comes through the public offices of the government."

The VIPSLI, now in its second year, is a proposed institution that aims to develop training and certification programs for public servants through a partnership with the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC), focusing on enhancing public service delivery.

Leadership training

Dr George stated, "We are looking forward to rolling out some leadership training. We have noted very keenly, and the reports have shown that we have a gap, and that gap is those persons who are currently in the leadership seat and those persons who may be prepared to take over these chairs. So we have to begin to prepare them, so we are looking at rolling out a leadership training programme, an associate's degree, two-year programme for law enforcement officers."

She further stated that discussions among the involved agencies have begun, although the process is not yet in its final stages.

"We have started to receive the data on the individuals who will be going forward with this training. We are looking at doing a full cohort of 25 persons, and that would include persons from Immigration, Customs, Police and Prison.’’

The courses offered during this Associate's Degree programme will include Human Rights, Leadership, Policing, Trauma, and Ethics. Additionally, students will have the option to select electives in specialised areas such as Immigration, Customs, Fire Safety, and Prison Studies.