'We have people who should be automatically slotted in' as Deputy CoP- Skelton-Cline
Following the retirement of Dominica national Alwin James in January 2022, local Ms Jacqueline E. Vanterpool, who has nearly 30 years of service under her belt and a number of professional training, was named Acting Deputy Commissioner.
Locals should fill top jobs - Skelton-Cline
Mr Skelton-Cline on his Honestly Speaking show on ZBVI 780 AM on April 5, 2022, said he has taken note that the Deputy Commissioner's post is being advertised, including at the international level.
“You mean to tell me that we are open again and entertaining the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force where they can very well have someone else from the outside to even sit in the Deputy's post?
"People of these Virgin Islands, do you understand the retrograde moves that are taking place in this country. is this the best we can offer as a testament to our fore-parents and as a birthright to hand over to our children?...Ain't nobody paying attention to what's happening?"
He said advertising the vacancy internationally goes against the vision to create new opportunities for future generations.
“We have people who should have been automatically slotted in that post… This is why the constitution really matters. Here again, constitutionally, a lot of these posts, and I am unapologetic about this, need to be reserved for Virgin Islanders.
“I can’t go to Barbados or the UK and be these things. We are having Rip Van Wrinkle moments, I am afraid,” Skelton-Cline said.
Jacqueline E. Vanterpool snubbed?
Previous Police Commissioner Michael B. Matthews had told Kenneth G. Gladstone on the October 22, 2019, edition of the radio show 'A Moment of Truth' that Ms Vanterpool had received training that would put her on the road to the top spot in any force.
"Superintendent Jacqueline E. Vanterpool, a BVIslander, spent her entire policing career here in the Virgin Islands Police Force. I think she's got 26-27 years service now in the force, she worked on Tortola, on Virgin Gorda, she's a well-known local officer, very capable individual."
It remains unclear why Ms Vanterpool has not been confirmed to the Deputy's post after acting in the role and with high recommendations from the former Top CoP that she can even take over the force.
According to Mr Matthews, his hopes were high that Ms Vanterpool can take over the RVIPF after he left the job, "I think that it is a fantastic story for the force, it's a wonderful story for the Virgin Islands and particularly, I've known since day one of being here, there's a strong passion of Virgin Islanders to see local people progress."
After UK national Mark Collins was confirmed to the post, Premier Andrew A. Fahie (R1) had indicated that no locals were prepared for the ToP position in the RVIPF.
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20 Responses to “'We have people who should be automatically slotted in' as Deputy CoP- Skelton-Cline ”
That is the qualification nowadays.
So if it’s a great story we are looking for as a community then I see the point the ex COP was trying to make, however, we all know that this position is far more important than just a good storyline. I believe that people, in general, have a misguided idea of the true role of a Deputy Commissioner of Police in the BVI. It is far from being a popularity contest, but rather a position that can influence dynamic changes to the generally accepted norms and practices of the organization. A DCP is called upon to make hard and unpopular decisions in a few minutes that would have lawyers and judges argue for years to come. The DCP has to strike the balance between tranquillity and total chaos and take responsibility for the actions of his/her subordinates when on duty. As DCP you have to understand the roles of the different departments/units and constantly find ways to increase proficiency that would compete with a developing society. Personnel should be deployed and reassigned based on their particular skill set so that can be effective rather than personal biases for punishment. Being a great leader is all about having a genuine willingness and a true commitment to lead others no matter where they are from, in order to achieve a common vision and goals through positive influence. To respect one another no matter your personal feelings towards them and refrain from rewarding mediocrity because of friendship.
Only then the Police service can execute their lawful duty to build public confidence and serve the people without fear or favor while increasing their success rate. A deputy is responsible for bridging the gap between its multi-diverse workforce and the community. Before you like or dislike this post, understand that through a transparent process of scrutiny can you honestly pick the best candidate for the job. “Automatically slotted” is an automatic path to destruction with no accountability and a sense of entitlement that should not be promoted in this modern era. If a candidate believes they deserve the position and can make the difference that the RVIPF so desperately needs, and can execute the job fairly with no hidden agendas, then they should be proud to apply and compete on an international stage. We the people of the BVI deserve the best so let the process happen.
Now, academic qualifications are great and we should all try to be disciplined and enhance our curriculum vitae but it should not be at the expense of others and also depriving us of valuable experience. There is a culture in the Caribbean where the “workhorses” always get sidelined while the lazy dodgers because they cannot be tasked with the important stuff gets the break and are shielded by the bigwigs. Some of you reading this are victims of what I am speaking about, and guess what; your true potential would never be discovered or recognized because you always have to fill in for the incompetent coworkers. Not because you are recognized for a position because you are popular and friendly and have paper qualifications means that you are competent to lead a particular discipline. That comes with a special kind of experience where correct decision-making is a part of your very moral fiber because people’s lives depend on that sound judgment. So, I am not inferring that the RVIPF and other government agencies cannot govern themselves because there is personnel who can do the job but because they are not popular and not self-serving because their great work is not overtly recognized, they will never get the opportunity to prove themselves. The public would never know that these talents existed in the organization as they have been abused and become burnt-out while the dodgers take all the credit and excel.
Wow. Look the RVIPF asking for DCP that can not even investigate a Traffic Accident but because she borne here all you want her to be DCP.
Have mercy on them Lord