Despite the High Court handing down an injunction against certain aspects of the controversial vetting process of police officers by Governor Daniel Pruce earlier this month, the governor continues to forge ahead with the initiative. Photo: Facebook

The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) in the High Court of Justice (Civil Division) granted an injunction preventing the Governor from proceeding with the controversial vetting of police officers until the court rules otherwise. Photo: ECSC

Officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force had raised concerns over aspects of the vetting process that they found intrusive. Photo:

The decision 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.

Speaking at a press conference today, August 26, 2025, Governor Pruce acknowledged that his office has received a “draft order” from the courts in relation to the vetting process and is waiting for the order to be finalised.

“So, I just wanted to be clear that, meanwhile, the vetting process remains open and ongoing, just without the ability to apply those enforcement provisions foreseen in the regulation.”

According to the governor, he wants to make the Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) as successful as it can be, and that requires a properly resourced police force and one that is highly professional, fully vetted, and one that enjoys the trust and confidence of everyone in the Virgin Islands.

Approx 100 officers have submitted vetting forms- Gov Pruce

He said he considers vetting to be a necessary measure to ensure the integrity of the RVIPF and to help provide for public confidence in it, and that it's also essential to protect public safety, to preserve the safety of the officers, and to ensure national security.

“For those reasons, I remain personally very committed to the vetting process and conducting that process correctly, properly and lawfully.”

The governor then disclosed that approximately one hundred police officers have submitted their vetting forms, which represents a little over a third of the entire RVIPF of around 270 to 280 officers.

“I mentioned that just to illustrate the fact that we have a significant number of officers who have engaged with the process, who have submitted their forms, who have provided some information and I’m grateful to them for doing so, and I think it perhaps helps address what may be a perception in some quarters that across the whole of the force there’s no engagement.”

Governor Pruce said he is looking forward to other officers going through the vetting process.

See related article below:

High Court temporarily blocks Governor’s police vetting process