Governor clarifies his role in Police Commissioner recruitment
Governor Daniel Pruce has sought to reassure the public that he is not hand-picking the next Commissioner of Police, amid long-standing suspicions that the Governor’s Office controls the top policing role.
Speaking during a press conference yesterday, Pruce stressed that the recruitment process is entirely managed by the Police Service Commission, with his involvement limited to the very final stage.
“The process, as you know, was launched some months ago… the selection process itself is managed by the Police Service Commission. My role in this process comes at the very end,” the Governor said.
He added that once the Commission completes its recruitment exercise and submits its recommendation to the National Security Council (NSC), the NSC will then advise him, and only then does he formally make the appointment.
“I know nothing at all about [the process] and again it’s to ensure that I can exercise my role at the end of the process without any compromise or conflict,” Pruce insisted.
Historic skepticism
Despite the Governor’s assurances, many Virgin Islanders remain doubtful. For decades, the Commissioner of Police post has almost always gone to UK nationals, a trend residents believe reflects the Governor’s heavy hand in the process. As the Governor is also a UK citizen, critics argue the system has perpetuated colonial influence in the territory’s most powerful security office.
This view has fuelled ongoing calls for a local Commissioner who understands the culture and deeply entrenched issues that drive crime in the community..
Public support for Vanterpool
At the centre of public hopes is Acting Commissioner Jacqueline E. Vanterpool, the first Virgin Islander woman to serve in the role. Widely respected within the force and beloved across the territory, Vanterpool has become a symbol of local pride, and many residents have openly expressed their desire to see her permanently appointed.
Community advocates argue that her leadership would mark a historic shift, breaking the decades-long pattern of UK appointees and restoring public confidence in the force.
For now, the Police Service Commission continues its deliberations, with a recommendation expected later this year. Until then, Governor Pruce maintains that the decision is out of his hands — though the people of the Virgin Islands remain watchful to see if their calls for a truly home-grown Commissioner will finally be answered.
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Dear me, what a disaster such a local appointment would be. The commissioner MUST BE impartial and operate independently. So far, our current ‘local’ Acting Commissioner has not been able to remotely demonstrate this. Even pushing back on the international standards for vetting. I also do not see crime going down as is her job, or is that just me thinking this?
At Local Disaster….Were you not the one in Jackie face talking sweet nothings the other day? dam jezebel judas you are. i should slap u when i see you next by the watering hole again. None in the force have integrity like Jackie, none. The Gove is lying anyway.
Integrity you say. You obviously do not know this woman ALLLL!!!! Those who have worked with or around her KNOW that she is a stranger to the truth and integrity is not in her vocabulary. Brad go sit dung
You sound like one of the cop misogynists that Jackie
has spent her career having to deal with. You just
can’t stand her being Top Cop
How is the former Director Of T now Director Of Comm. she should not have a job, this is a total disregard for the public and accountability within the Government service, how can you want Independence when you are ignoring serious criminal endeavours. i mean she is smart but she has the same criminal mindset as those at balo.
How can C* continue to be considered a voice of the people after committing such a serious offense — forging Government documents to secure citizenship within our community? Is this really what we, the people of the BVI, want to promote? When others commit smaller crimes, they are quickly locked away — yet here we turn a blind eye. Come on, people, it’s time we stand up for our country and stop allowing others to laugh at us and take advantage of what is ours.
Why you are worrying abt the wrong things, how is the former Director of T now The Director of Comms, with a mindset that is more criminal than some at Balo. She should not have a job.
I urge the Government, Governor, and in particular the Police Service Commission, not to allow nationality to be the deciding factor in determining who our next Commissioner of Police will be. If you allow your conscience to guide your decision, it will be clear that JV is not the strongest candidate for this role. Do right by yourself, by the officers of the Force, and by the people of this Territory by selecting the most qualified candidate for the job.
As a matter of fact and provable data, Ms. J.Vanterpool is as qualified, experienced and capable as any one whom they may chose for that post to run that institution..
For centuries, the world has been programmed to think and believe that only white men possess the capabilities of runnung an institution requiring intelligence and more.
In the modern era, the notion has been debunked over and over and completely.
That position represents more than just power, it represents the ultimate colonial power and control over a nation and people.
Hence, it is not that, they are not aare of Ms. Vanterpool’s qualifications, on the contrary, they are reluctant to relinquish their colonial strong hold on the agency.
Transitions are never comfortable for the direct holders of power, yet destiny ensures that the time. will come when change will not be stopped. or diverted.
Indeed, if the powers that be can evolve beyond white male chauvanism, Black skin and gender biases, Ms. J. Vanterpool would be the next human person to fill the position of Commissioner of Police.
SO WIGGIE YOU GOT ANOTHER NEWNAME FOR 2025/ COLLINS GORNE AND I KNOW HOW RELIEVED IT WAS GET FROM AROUND YOUR RACIST LYRICS DAY AND NIGHT , THSNK YOU FOR EXPODINV THE BRUTAL COLDBLOODED EXECUTION STYLE MURDER IN FISH BAY ) AND IF WAS THIS SAME JUDAS EHO WAS HOLLERING OUT BEFORE THAT IT NEVER HAPPENED AND YOU ARE ONLY TRYING TO MAKE US LOOK BAD / ẂAME ARE STUCK WITH THIS DRAMA QUEEN , WHO IS ” POPULAR ” IN CREATING DRAMA
We want independence
Some of the leaders clamoring for INDEPENDENCE and cannot rule their households
How can you rule a nation
This is crazy
Some of them cannot tell their sons and daughters what to do, whose friends to keep
When to come in the house at night
How can tou lead a nation
Independentce tou say
Laughable
Independent to launder money
Give no accountability to anyome
What a ting
You got to have balls to do that job if your white..imagine the daily abuse.Let the lady deal with that cr$$.She will be hated in that man world but it won’t be her race.