Governor cites ‘organisational needs’ in Vanterpool removal
Governor Daniel Pruce
Governor Daniel Pruce has defended his decision to end Acting Police Commissioner Jacqueline Vanterpool’s tenure and revert her to her substantive post as Deputy Commissioner, insisting the move was guided by his constitutional duty to ensure the effective operation of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF).
Speaking on the Talking Points radio programme, Pruce said the decision “was a very carefully weighed and carefully considered decision. It’s one which sits within the responsibilities that any Governor has for the RVIPF at any time.”
He explained that prolonged acting appointments had affected the organisation’s resilience. “When Jackie was first appointed, I certainly didn’t envisage that it would be over a year that she would have to fulfil that role. In any organisation, especially one as complex, operating in such a difficult environment as the RVIPF is, a long period of acting leadership has an impact on the resilience of that organisation,” he stated.
Pruce said his choice was in the interests of delivering and fulfilling his responsibilities, noting that the leadership change was not a reflection on Vanterpool’s performance. “This is not a demotion, it’s not a sacking. She’s returning to her permanent substantive appointment where she will still have an enormous contribution to make to the force,” he explained.
The Governor confirmed that he had recommended former Gibraltar Commissioner of Police Richard Ullger for the interim post while the Police Service Commission continues the process of selecting a permanent commissioner. “The person I’ve nominated, his name is Richard Ullger. Until recently, he was the Commissioner of Police in Gibraltar. I’ve submitted the nomination and his CV to the Police Service Commission and asked them for their advice, as the Constitution rightly requires me to do,” he said.
Addressing media concerns about allegations previously made against Ullger, Pruce clarified that “there was a National Crime Agency review which found no supporting evidence at all for allegations against the then Commissioner of Police. These allegations were raised by defence lawyers in an unrelated court case, and the National Crime Agency review confirmed that Commissioner Ullger neither disclosed information nor acted disreputably.”
He also rejected claims of colonial overreach. “My duty is in relation to the police force as an organisation… the decisions I can take to help ensure that as an entire body of people it functions effectively and successfully,” he stated.
Pruce added that the interim commissioner’s role will be funded by the United Kingdom, freeing additional resources within the RVIPF’s budget to support senior leadership and strengthen resilience.
The Governor said he remains committed to supporting the force and improving morale. “I will happily spend as long as it takes in discussion with members of the force to do my bit to support those issues and to help address the concerns they have,” he stated.
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Governor, you all have lie down in bed with these Politicians who have done this country bad. And all you all continue to do is give them a slap on the wrist while you all the UK set harsh policies to affect the people. Meanwhile, these politicians continue to set policies that line their pockets.
So, like a spoiled child when they don’t get what they want, it’s hell to pay. This march is allegedly instigated by persons, especially those whose hand is in the lion’s mouth.
Most people don’t think Jackie is ready nor any of those under her who she is taking advice from. Policing and politics isn’t about having a good gab, it’s about performance.
For the past recent years, up to a week ago, we have had people being murdered high day.
For sure you don’t see or can comprehend the issue.
You need to sit on this one
And on the other hand you have hardened murderers escapees roaming our island and the person under whose watch they escaped did not even get as so much as a slap on the wrist. You all only have strength for locals and this is wrong!!!! If that was a local they would be out on their heads until a full investigation has been conducted.
People will get murdered regardless. When those drug men ready to make a hit, it is going down, day or night. The white man in, but you think that will stop them. It’s just what it is. Jackie can’t stop the murders and I promise you, neither can the white man. Strupes!
yes GOVERNOR
Neither Jackie vanterpool or any imported commissioner can stop crime and murder, it’s a small closely knit family and friends of the politicians society, people are silent about their love ones criminal behavior.
The outpouring of support by some undesirable characters is making it look like Jackie is running for political office, and it taints her character as being an associate of theirs, and compromise her, the premiere natalio Wheatley talking about Jackie being everything qualified, I bet he wouldn’t move over and let jackie vanterpool take over his position as premiere , oh! No hell will break loose if the people was to opine Jackie should be the premier of the BVI, but any way that UK governor and their ethno supremacists ideology means we will always be infantilized and emasculated with paternal supervision, we not good for anything according them.
This takes you back into the history books where the people burn the cotton and cane and the great house on their fight to escape colonial rule and gain their independence,and later on those same black politicians seem to have colonial power devolved to them where they are like a coconut brown outside and white inside, so neocolonialism steps in and the people continue to suffer and kept impoverished.
Man basically saying only a white man can br the Commish lol.
All the UNINFORMED, UK MOLES and VI people haters are having a field day his week.
Our destinies muust be decided by us,, Virgin Islanders, not imperial inheritors.
How many generations from leaving Anguilla (Hodge and Vanterpool does it’s take to become an indigenous BVI/VI?