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VI Gov't looking to give additional budgetary support to RVIPF- Premier

- Acknowledges efforts of Royal Virgin Islands Police Force
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has announced that the government is looking at ways to give more money to the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) to bolster its crime fighting capacity. Photo: YouTube/Facebook
The efforts of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) have been hailed by Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7). Photo: Facebook/File
The efforts of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) have been hailed by Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7). Photo: Facebook/File
While the United Kingdom-appointed governor oversees the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, the VI government is responsible for financing it. Photo: VINO/File
While the United Kingdom-appointed governor oversees the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, the VI government is responsible for financing it. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Virgin Islands (VI) Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has announced that the government is looking at ways to give more money to the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) to bolster its crime-fighting capacity.

This announcement was made during the Seventh Sitting of the Second Session of the Fifth House of Assembly (HoA), held on Thursday, July 3, 2025.

The Premier stated that the RVIPF is fully committed to protecting all communities within the territories it operates. He emphasised the need for data-driven strategic plans and adaptable community policing to address emerging threats as crime trends evolve. "The need for a more agile, better-trained, and fully staffed police service has never been greater," he noted.

Increasing capacity

Premier Wheatley highlighted that the leadership of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force has identified critical areas for action and is actively working to implement them. He indicated that a cohort of trained auxiliary officers is being transitioned into full police constables. These officers have successfully completed core police training and will be deployed in frontline community policing roles, particularly in high-crime and vulnerable areas, such as the second district, where visibility and engagement are essential.

"This allows us to build capacity within our police constables, demonstrating that they are consistently present on the ground throughout our streets," he added. The changing landscape of policing now requires officers to respond to not only traditional crimes but also challenges such as cyber-enabled fraud, organised armed robberies, mental health incidents, and threats to national security. Therefore, a larger and more flexible specialised workforce is necessary to keep pace with these threats and ensure the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force is optimally positioned to solve and protect the territory.

Additional budgetary support

The Premier also mentioned that the Ministry of Finance is currently in active discussions with the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force to explore options for additional budgetary support. This funding would cover the costs of personnel, equipment, vehicles, and advanced training in intelligence investigation and technology-assisted policing. The implementation of modern technologies and equipment will empower the force in its mission to address crime comprehensively.

He expressed concern over the rise in burglaries and robberies, stating that it requires swift and aggressive action from all stakeholders to prevent crime in society. “The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force is ensuring that robbery hotspots are consistently monitored by dedicated patrol teams during high-risk hours from Thursday to Sunday. These teams include both uniformed officers and plainclothes officers to enhance deterrence and response,” he stated.

Public monitoring

Additionally, CCTV footage from businesses and public spaces is continuously analysed to detect recurring patterns, suspicious behaviour, and potential internal facilitators who may have aided offenders. The Premier also mentioned that territorial policing has been assessing late-night businesses to identify vulnerabilities and provide tailored crime prevention guidance. Patrols specifically targeting rental vehicles and heavily tinted cars—linked to several recent robberies—have been expanded to increase police visibility and disrupt potential offenders' movements.

“The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force has been promoting target hardening among residents and the business sector. This includes the use of reinforced doors and locks, as well as the installation of CCTV, motion sensor lighting, and alarm systems,” he emphasised.

In conclusion, he noted that community officers are working directly with stakeholders to offer crime prevention audits and personal safety assessments.

While the United Kingdom-appointed Governor oversees the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, the VI government is responsible for financing it.

11 Responses to “VI Gov't looking to give additional budgetary support to RVIPF- Premier”

  • Overtime (04/07/2025, 09:16) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    look into that overtime budget cuz idk how people applying overtime and whenever they apply them say there no money but every year theres a budget for it.... so who going home with it? and if its unused then government will shrink it every year for not being used
  • omg (04/07/2025, 09:27) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    he actually wants to provide funding for our police??? Wow maybe he just wants some extra protection from his numerous adversaries in the BVI!
  • Blindman (04/07/2025, 10:14) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    The governor is incharge of national security so why does"nt governor seek financial assistance from the UK government instead the bvi government having to finance the police department.
  • Senior native citizen of the British Virgin Islands (04/07/2025, 10:32) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    You, Premier, Natalio Sajuande Wheatley, knows this truth: crimes started on this earth from the top tear, (the rich) not the middle (the want-to-be rich) nor the bottom (the minimum wage earners, and others that can't afford basic needs.

    I am not against the RVIPF getting more money for their useful efforts against criminals activities, but why is there not at least one (1) "white collar criminal in prison in the Balsom Ghut prison? Any why are certain persons that have, and are holding on to certain position highly suspicious activities not considered criminal actions?
    And why only crime fighters (RVIPF) favored at this hard time, financially speaking, elegible of course, in your eyes, should be given more money. The governor is their boss, you are not.

    In addition, the $2.50 been recommended by then, deputy Premier, (in whose corner?) Hon. Lorna Smith, now junior minister, that would have hike minimum wage workers raise to $8.50 from $6.00 after more than eight years since October 1st 2016, why was it halfed, in my opinion to please business owners, and other employers?

    How then can more of our meager cash be rightly justify by only celecting the B.V.I RVIPF, and those you chose? Isn't crimes only seen as those in your eyes, but those in others eyes ignoredas if not?

    Lastly, Isn't the garbagegy, daily sewage-water-running, direlict vehicle here, and there, some openly seing, others partly hidden among bushes in your district, and other districts of the B.V.I,
    Premier, are these not political crimes that needs urgently addressing now? You and your intire cabinet team are mainly responsible to God, our Creator, and us. Prioritized our priorities first, Premier, first.
  • BuzzBvi (04/07/2025, 12:24) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    You want to watch out if they are properly staffed and the DPP properly staffed and the AG Office properly staffed, they may start catching your friends and family and also make prosecutions stick. Dont be too hasty.
  • Nice (04/07/2025, 14:26) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wait the premier plan to actually do something good with money? He hit his head man check his temperature make sure he alright.
    • BV Islanders 6 district (04/07/2025, 14:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ Nice. You call that good they need to cancel the damn greedy bill payment, that what the 6 district and all the other ministers who getting the greedy bill money, do you know if it reaches yet, that is what needed to be discussed that's where the money gone. This shit is utter nonsense and we the civil servants have to wait until 2027 for their increment they work so damn hard for political gimmick.
      • @ BV Islanders 6 district (04/07/2025, 15:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        I completely agree with you that you and everyone else that are still owed their increment should get it! Them set of crooks vote to give themselves big raises and leave yall out to dry. That's something you all need to address next election. That doesn't mean that supporting the police is not a good thing especially with the increased level of crime in the territory.
  • dpp bouz (04/07/2025, 15:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Give them all the budget you want but with the DPP losing most of its serious cases it will be wasted in the end... change the dpp
  • Kid Buu (04/07/2025, 15:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    well our last murder was done my a minor so yall better wake up very soon

    keep ignoring the youths, keep influencing them at festival/parties/, keep ignoring the sex offender list. DIG yall heads in the sand when a student almost (probably did) brought a gun to school
  • brent (04/07/2025, 15:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    NAH NAH NAH them need work harder cuz idk how them let brent get thru customs and immigration in and out so ezy


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