Bishop Cline calls for protest over Governor’s removal of Vanterpool
Bishop John Cline
Outspoken clergyman Bishop John Cline has called for a public protest outside Government House following Governor Daniel Pruce’s decision to remove Acting Police Commissioner Jacqueline Vanterpool from her post.
Governor Pruce announced yesterday that Vanterpool — who has been Acting Commissioner for more than a year — will revert to her role as Deputy Commissioner on November 18. He has proposed former Gibraltar Commissioner of Police Richard Ullger, a UK national, to serve as Interim Acting Commissioner while the search for a permanent head continues.
The decision has sparked outrage among sections of the public, particularly because the Police Service Commission had reportedly recommended Vanterpool for the top job after she completed a formal selection process just days before being informed of her removal.
In a fiery Facebook Live address yesterday, Cline accused the governor of undermining local leadership and disregarding the BVI’s capacity to manage its own affairs. He urged residents to “show up and push back” against what he described as an unfair and colonial-style move.
“We need to show up to the governor’s house and demand answers,” Cline declared. “Tell us why you are removing one of our own — a competent, experienced, longstanding Virgin Islander — from a national security position to bring in someone from Gibraltar who doesn’t know us.”
Cline questioned the motive behind the governor’s move, arguing that Vanterpool’s performance had previously been publicly praised. “Was it because of incompetence? No. Was it because she did something wrong? No. The governor himself said she was doing a great job,” Cline said. “So if she was doing a great job, who is behind her removal?”
He further suggested that friction may have developed between Vanterpool and the governor over “what was legal and prudent” in certain decisions, and hinted that some UK officers within the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force may have resisted reporting to a black female commissioner.
A wider issue of control
The clergyman linked the governor’s action to what he described as a broader issue of colonial interference in the BVI’s governance. “This is our land. We are indigenous BVIslanders. We have the ability and capacity to run our own affairs,” Cline said. “But some of you still want to live in the 1700s. This is not 1950, and we are not standing for it.”
He called on all local media outlets — including BVI News, ZBVI, JTV, and others — to cover the protest and ensure the public’s voice is heard.
Cline said he plans to mobilise residents to gather outside Government House “by Friday morning or early next week” to deliver a petition demanding that Vanterpool be reinstated and the governor explain his decision.
In the meantime, Governor Pruce has defended his decision, saying it followed consultation and that the search for a new commissioner is ongoing. However, his announcement comes amid rising concern about violent crime, which the governor recently acknowledged has surged by more than 50 percent since the start of the year.
Cline warned that the sudden change in leadership is already destabilising morale within the police force. “It has shaken the police department to the core,” he said. “When these people work with this woman, doing their best to pull together a department that has suffered under foreign hands…and you tell her to go home. Do not let Governor Pruce get away with this decision.”
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When his nephew is on the radio with his racist, discriminatory and downright hate talk where is Bishop Cline to march against that level of divisiveness in the country coming from a so called pastor who preach at his church? I support Commissioner Vanterpool but some people need to be in the back and not the front of certain things. Bishop Cline go to the back because nobody in their right mind would march behind you.
Stick to the topic at hand.. no one is talking about his nephew. Not sure why you people like to dwell on the past… the past can’t change .. but we can change the now. Stick to it !
That’s the point exactly. Don’t pick and choose what you defend. What his nephew is doing is just as racist as the perceived actions of the governor. That is the point!!!
….But how did his nephew get in this? You seem to have a hard o* for his nephew. His nephew speaks the truth. His nephew has not spoken one lie. Not one! Stick to the topic. I don’t think the governor is racist or sexist. I think he is following orders from the top.
I will organise a massive (3 person) march!
I agree with your sentiments, while I think Ms. Vanterpool is a good choice it lost my support if crooks going be pushing the agenda. Makes me suspicious.
Cindy please sit down, no one cause about your agenda. We will never vote for you..
MATTHEW 7:6
The Universe doing what is predicted.
Common Sense…Garbage in and Garbage out.
Go siddon!
Cline ain’t have nothing else better to do that create chaos and confusion?
We need a COP who will enforce ALL of the laws, ALL of the time!!!
COP cannot be a local with the conflicts of being related to so many people.
The current COP has done nothing to enforce the traffic laws, illegal parking, controlling the chaos at the ferry dock every morning which is just outside her office window!!
We need a COP who doesn’t know any of the officers so there isn’t any favoritism; everyone judged by their work ethic and effectiveness!
This guy is the devils walking stick
March against those 13 rip offs with the Greedy Bill first
Now I hearing sense…..go march for the greedy bill first.. But no , you plan to run and will benefit from it too…so why march against it?
Stewps…..
The BVi problem is not political,but spiritual.to much so called Christian’s are indulging in obeah,nichromancy,lodge etc.even politicians are the greatest ring leaders in occultism.we don’t need to protest,we need to fast and pray .
Though. you are correct in your assertions, the Vim people need and must do ACTION, because prayer and fasting has never worked in the Black man’s history in dealing with the white people.
If we don’t begin to assert our human, political and international mrights, we will continue to be treated like lesser than children.
RISE VIRGIN PEOPLE, THE TIME HAS COME TO SHIFT THIS PARADIGM!!!!!!!
Cline and others ridiculed the Premier when he called for self-determination and more autonomy but now they are here talking s**t about marching? March you all an** over a cliff from talking s**t, you are too dangerous and petty.
The only time you don’t use power is when you do NOT have it! The Governor used his powers granted to him under our Constitution, you can huff and puff all you want, he did something you didn’t like but he didn’t do anything illegal or unconstitutional. This is what happens when you play politics with everything. The premier has been laughed at for seeking less powers for the Governor under the Constitution etc. Reap what you sow, enjoy.
Remember when Cline and his power hungry gang went down to the governor during the COI to say that Ronnie should be administrator. I dont trust nothing with those people
Give jack his jacket it might be deeper than we in the public sphere thinks
Perhaps the Governor has reasons we in the public might not be aware of why he did not confirm Vanterpool
There was a process for the position? There was several candidates including the deputh/acting commis. How was her performances compared to the others? Ic she was not the best candidate why should she be given the position? Was being a notioal part of the criteria?
I am not marching
If he/Cline is for I am against.
He is one of the open glaringly in Your face cri***als harbored and financially assisted with Tax dollars and by the elected Government.
A perfect example of wrong and strong don’t give a chit cri***al.
wasnt this the SAMMMEEE Ms Vanterpool that ppl was draggin down and sayin she doesnt deserve the top spot, she wasnt doing a good job, she was not fit for the job???? What exactly is the issue now? i swear this population is so draining and mentally exhausting.
You BVI Islanders need to be very careful. It is excellent that a native born Virgin Islander made it to the ranks of Deputy Commissioner of Police and Commissioner of Police in The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force. The economy of the BVI is very weak and very fragile. The economy of the BVI can collapse at any time unknown to everyone in the BVI. How strong can the tourism industry and the banking and finance and insurance industry be in the BVI and for how much longer can the economy of the BVI continue to be strong? Be careful with the drugs and guns and crime and violence entering in the Territory of The British Virgin Islands. Global Terrorism is not going away. All of these issues needs the help/the assistance from The Royal Navy and The Royal Airforce and The Royal Marines. Cutting off The United Kingdom completely from the BVI would not be beneficial to the BVI in the long run. A lot of problems would arise with the safety and the well being of the BVI.
Anything with Bishop Cline cannot get my support. I know this man and anything he is in must have a benefit to him. He tries to act like he has integrity but we all know different. The things this man does as a pastor would make satan look like a girl scout.
The reality is that anything anyone does must mean something to that person; including you so why should he be any different? Yiu people are amazing.
So the laws should not be followed when you guys decided it’s not in your favor? I mean the Governornis in charge of the force. It is by law his his priority so he should not perform his duty? Imagine that these protesters being permitted by the ag COP! Surely not a good look.
I support jackie but the presence of John Cline has turned me off. Certain people must understand when their presence taint things. He taints everything he touch.
Will still support her but I agree he should know when to step back.
More and more murders and robberies under her watch than ever – unsolved crimes/ She was not doing the job.
Lying cracker. If thatn is so, then the governor is equally culperable.
They have under valued her abilities, character and integrity for one that is much less and tainted.
IS LOOKING ATTENTION , HE NEEDS TO TAKE A SEAT IN THE STEET AT MIDDAY ALONG WITH CAZ , JUDGE WIGGIE AND THE VIP GANG AND SING – “KUM-BA-YA” , Y’ALL NEED SOME ” BULLPISSLE ” OVER Y’ALL “ASZES”
Don’t make it sound so entitlement cline, vanterpool is not a politician for people to demand her a position, that will only show she is compromised or have connections of family and friends in this small society, I think she is qualified but the closely knit family and friends connection in all institution of the BVI is destructive, you can see the example of natalio Wheatley and Andrew fahie, the two that lead the government, I don’t even think natalio should have been allowed to take over from Andrew because he is not innocent and oblivious to what was going on, because he stood with his boss Andrew defending all his shenanigans, his bad intentions of traveling and party and paying Vybz Kartel quarter million USD and now this $5 million USD to bank of Asia shows he has or knew of criminal propensity as a Andrew fahie deputy and subordinates.
And how come you never heard Jacqueline vanterpool looked into any of these politicians, the family and friends position will compromise that, and I honestly did not like the media pronouncements that she will ask the lord how to proceed with civil matters like police work, this should fall completely within her professional training to do her job, so there she is actually saying that she can be compromised by religious groups, and you have them in Claude Skelton cline and bishop John cline who she seem like she will abdicate her police professional training to be shepherd by these characters and guidance, that’s shows a failure there, these guys will be untouchable under vanterpool watch, then the social media rounds she made on Facebook is compromising, the head of let’s say institution like the CIA or FBI do not make the media rounds posting picture of their life on Facebook, you see vanterpool had a life style that would prohibit her professional development in that organization, I know you need to have the public trust but gosh you are not running for politics to be doing all that ob Facebook, had you been a bit reclusive and professional it would have shown a detachment from any connections to impede your work.
That same white police that will be installed as police commissioner will automatically be looking out for his white people, but the onliest reason he is here is that the UK observe a small knit society where nearly everyone is family or friends so with that cultural milleau crimes will go unsolved, murders and politicians crimes will get a blind eye, so it is for vanterpool and other BVI citizens within the force to look into and develop themselves and evolve to the task.
She is cool but gosh cline is compromising her as an entitlement and family connection that shows she will not function properly in carry out her duty because of who she know, and I hate when she told the media she will ask god what to do in her profession that she is trained for, it sounds coocoo, these UK official know that they gave us this christian story for control purposes so it means that Jacqueline will refer to Claude Skelton cline and bishop cline for mentorship and that’s dangerous.the Facebook rounds she makes on her personal life is unprofessional, and leads to been influence in her carrying out her duty, the head of the CIA or FBI don’t go around posting their personal life on the social media, they are reclusive and anonymous, this white police was only chosen to break the yoke of this political and family connection in the course of executing police duty, but the white police will compromise and tip toe around his white ethnicity in brotherhood as one on their ethno supremacists ideology. This thing where people demand who must be the police commissioner is a compromise of the said individual, she is not running for politics where she should be voted in by the people. And have any of you seen any willingness by Jacqueline vanterpool to go after any of the politicians? They will take instructions to harass Cyndi or kishma but not the politicians, for example natalio Wheatley as Andrew fahie right hand do you believe he was totally oblivious of Andrew fahie dealings? And he went on to show the same traits with parties and traveling and forcibly taking the BVI tax payers monies and pay Vybz Kartel quarter million USD and bank of Asia $5 million USD, can we rely on vanterpool to think of police intervention where natural laws are there to intervene?
The imported commissioner will broke that yoke of family and friends connection and get on with the work, and that’s how the UK think since we are a small knit society.
In the future , introspection will give vanterpool wisdom in carrying out her duties.
Let us not forget why our first local COP was allegedly removed from that position!!
Local COP’s don’t work with a population less than 100K because of familial associations. It is inevitable that those associations will taint decisions and cause division between the ranks, which we have already seen with this COP.
Any COP who is against vetting is already suspect and proves why the COP has to be from somewhere else!
People in this place seem to forget easily or have selective amnesia when it suits them.
Bishop, please stop being an instigator,she was never in the post permanently she was ACTTING COMMISSIONER.And has now been reverted back to her pist of DUPTY COMMISSIONER. Stop pushing your personal agenda on the people of this territory.
Injustice any where is injustice every where.
The UK and its racist machinery have committed serious injustice against Ms. Vanterpool.
Answer me this, how come we didn’t march:
Against crime when the previous Premier was arrested?
When the innocent little girl was shot dead?
Against the Greedy Bill?
When $200k+ was paid for Vybz Kartel’s performance?
When the guy in VG died outside the clinic because it was closed?
Need I say more? Utter hypocrisy.
You’re 100% right… A bunch of hypocrites they are. Fight for justice my foot!!!! Let them take all the blows the UK sends there way. You fedup of it,too bad… Cause y’all sure as hell ain’t ready to go independent,not with all the corruption and crime here….
Mr why you and your racist nephew don’t go out and win souls for the kingdom of God you wolves in sheep clothing.
Ms. Vanterpool, don’t swell your head over any of this.. This isn’t about you [to them] this is about cline and all his cronies wanting less and less UO involvement in any aspect of our lives, so they can continue to do as they please..
This entire thing is just another arguing tool for them. They ain’t give a rats a$$ about u, crime, or any of that, all they care about is not being looked over by the UK by any means or fashion, especially when we mostly need oversight
I hope the Governor and the UK government for that matter reads these blogs. I want you to know that these cronies don’t speak for all of us. Come Monday, not much ppl will be behind of this thug and his silly march. You do what you feel is right to protect us from crime. Nothing personal with Ms. Vanterpool but I just don’t see her having the gawls to run the force. The entire force will walk over her. You do what u gotta do
We need leaders to fight for us my question is
1 Why isnt the National security committee or board or council what ever, not sYing sntthing
2. Why are we windering if the 13 elected leaders kerping quiet
3. Why is Premier an earlier activist not coming out and openly advocating the March
4. Why is the vocal opposition leader wuiet on the subject and not condemning but supporting
People of the BVI are there reasons that are not shared
Just like how they kept quiet about the raise
Why are they qyiet
GOT GUNNED DOWN WITH HER DAD, AND THIS FALSE PROPHET WERE TOO BUSY TO HOLLER OUT , BUT WHEN THE ” POPULAR ” BUSINESS MAN WAS GUNNED DOWN HE FOUND THE TIME AND WAS CRYING AND FULL OF SADNESS NOW HE HAS IMPROVED , AND NOW HE WANTS TO MARCH AGAINST THE GOVERNOR, THESE WANNABE HOLY GANSTERS IS REALLY SOMETHING ELSE , ONE AH DEM HAD ORGANIZED THE FAMOUS SOPHISTICATED BARGES TO PROTECT OUR BORDERS ,SO NO ROYAL NAVY IS NESSESARY , AND ANOTHER ONE SAY OUR HANDS ARE CLEAN THERE’S ABSOLUTELY ” NO CORRUPTION IN THE HOLY LAND” – BVI / AND THE CANARY ON HIS YELLO SITE IS HOLLERING OUT – FREE THE DREW – FREE THE WEED AND FREE UP OUR INDEPENDENCE
Pastor Clyne knows nothing about Jackie, Pastor Clyne knows nothing about policing, Pastor Clyne knows nothing about security…What pastor Clyne does no is that they are too many unsolved crime and murders..What Pastor Clyne does know is he is not seeing police patrolling the streets..With this information, what justification he has to organized such March? Being a BVIslander or a lady is not enough…So many other things justify marching..Unfinished admin building, citizens can’t get water, the bad Roads..the high salary increase politicians gave themselves..Sin is Sin, truth is truth…Clyne is a fake..