Former commissioner not involved in police vetting process — Pruce

Former Commissioner of Police Mark Collins has no role in the current police vetting process, Governor Daniel Pruce has confirmed.

Speaking on the implementation of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) recommendations and the Law Enforcement Review, Governor Pruce addressed recent public speculation about Collins’ involvement in the sensitive security procedure.

“I can state very clearly that former Commissioner Collins has nothing to do with vetting,” Pruce asserted.

The vetting process, recommended by the COI to rebuild trust within the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) and improve inter-agency intelligence sharing, was formally launched by the Acting Police Commissioner earlier this month. Officers are now required to submit detailed forms disclosing personal and financial information that could impact their duties.

The Governor explained that the UK Home Office developed the process and it is being executed by a secure team of vetting specialists.

“The vetting programme has been developed by colleagues from the UK Home Office. They are putting in place a small team of vetting specialists who will actually review the documentation, and do all of this completely confidentially,” he explained.

Governor Pruce highlighted that vetting forms require officers to disclose personal circumstances, including their financial status and any relationships that might make them vulnerable or susceptible to influence. However, he clarified a widespread rumour about the level of financial detail being demanded.

“At no stage in the vetting process will anyone be required to disclose the PIN numbers of their credit cards,” he stated.

Pruce also acknowledged that while the process may feel intrusive to some, it is a common practice in police services across the world and essential for maintaining public confidence.

“It’s important that we share information with our employers so that they can help support us in managing any risks appropriately,” he said.

The Governor described the launch of vetting as a significant milestone. However, he noted that vetting for customs, immigration, and prison officers still needs to begin.

The Commission of Inquiry had found that fears of intelligence leaks weakened trust between agencies. “The Commission of Inquiry itself heard that there was, and I quote, a reluctance to share intelligence for fear of it being divulged,” Pruce recalled.

Governor Pruce reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to helping the Virgin Islands achieve a safer and more transparent law enforcement system.