The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force Financial Crime Unit (RVIPF FCU) has been recognised for its responsiveness to international financial crime investigations, receiving the ARIN-CARIB Most Responsive Member Award for 2025/2026. Photo: RVIPF

The RVIPF FCU operates at the core of a robust framework involving the Financial Investigation Agency (FIA), the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), and other competent authorities. Photo: VINO

Formal information-sharing arrangements between the BVI Financial Investigation Agency (FIA) and the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) have enhanced the quality of intelligence, positioning the Territory on a trajectory for successful financial investigations. Photo: RVIPF/FIA

The award was presented at the Asset Recovery Interagency Network Caribbean (ARINCARIB) Annual General Meeting, held in July 2026 in Georgetown, Guyana. ARIN-CARIB connects asset-recovery and financial-crime authorities across the Caribbean and supports the rapid exchange of information needed to trace, restrain, and recover criminal assets. 

According to the RVIPF in a press release today, August 27, 2026, the VI was recognised for its timeliness, reliability, and professionalism in its responses to requests from international partners.

'Upholding the highest standards'

Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police, Kenrick Davis, noted that the award highlights the professionalism and dedication of the RVIPF FCU and reinforces the Territory's reputation as a trusted international financial centre.

"This recognition is a testament to the hard work of our officers and the strong collaboration with our partners," said Acting Deputy Commissioner Davis. "It demonstrates the Virgin Islands' unwavering commitment to upholding the highest standards in fighting illicit finance".

Additionally, the RVIPF continued, it is a direct reflection of the significant strategic advancements made in both the Territory's regulatory and investigative architecture and follows years of targeted work undertaken to build and sustain capacity within the RVIPF-FCU, positioning it as a model of operational effectiveness.

Combating financial crime

The achievement also demonstrates the success of the Government of the Virgin Islands' comprehensive National Strategic Action Plan to combat financial crime. This strategic roadmap has strengthened legislative reforms, enhanced investigative capabilities, and improved international cooperation to meet the global standards set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

Specifically, recent legislative enhancements, including the 2025 amendments to the Proceeds of Criminal Conduct Act, have provided law enforcement with modern tools such as customer information orders and account monitoring orders to effectively pursue financial crime and recover illicit assets.

Inter-agency cooperation

The award, the RVIPF said, underscores the effectiveness of inter-agency cooperation in the VI.

The RVIPF FCU operates at the core of a robust framework involving the Financial Investigation Agency (FIA), the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), and other competent authorities.

Formal information-sharing arrangements between the FIA and RVIPF have enhanced the quality of intelligence, positioning the Territory on a trajectory for successful financial investigations. This collaborative approach, recently reinforced by Memoranda of Understanding between agencies, ensures that the Territory presents a unified front in combating money laundering, terrorist financing and other financial crimes.