Pruce defends Interim Commissioner’s three-month extension

Governor Daniel Pruce has defended the decision to extend the tenure of Interim Acting Police Commissioner Richard Ullger by three months, saying the move is intended to preserve stability while the recruitment process for a permanent commissioner continues.

Addressing the matter during a press conference yesterday, Pruce said he was “mindful that we also need to ensure stability in the leadership of the police force”. 

“In the interest of maintaining that stability, I’m very pleased that Acting Commissioner Ullger has agreed to remain in his position for a little longer. I would anticipate until around the middle of this year,” Pruce told reporters.

The governor explained that the Police Service Commission had completed its part of the recruitment process and submitted a recommendation late last year. That recommendation has since been considered by the National Security Council, and discussions with the commission are ongoing.

Responding to questions about the length of deliberations, Pruce said the appointment has to be conducted diligently and stressed that it would be inappropriate to speculate on candidates while the process remains active.  He said extending Ullger’s tenure would avoid “uncertainty at the top of the force, which then has a corrosive effect on the rest of the force.” 

Declining further extensions

Meanwhile, Ullger, who appeared on the Talking Points programme late yesterday, confirmed that he had agreed to the extension at the governor’s request. “He asked me to stay on for a few more months, which I’ve agreed to do so,” Ullger said. 

However, he indicated that he does not intend to remain beyond the short-term arrangement. “In answer to your first question, I think the answer would be no,” he said when asked whether he would consider a longer extension.  He added that remaining for an extended period would be “doing a disservice to the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force” because the organisation requires long-term stability. 

Ullger further stated: “I am conscious about stability. I’m conscious about the fact that the Commissioner needs to come here for three or four years, whoever that may be.” 

The recruitment process for a permanent Commissioner of Police has been unfolding for many months, beginning in 2024 after the departure of former Commissioner Mark Collins and resuming in earnest during 2025 following publication of a law enforcement review. 

Pruce terminated the recruitment exercise in late 2024 after concluding that the initial campaign did not reflect the qualities now sought in a future commissioner. He said at the time that changing requirements in the police force, informed by evolving security challenges and parts of the law enforcement review, meant the original process needed to be redefined before continuing.

The recruitment phase has also drawn scrutiny and protest after Acting Commissioner Jacqueline Vanterpool, who served in the top post for more than a year and had applied for the substantive role, was not chosen to lead permanently. After Pruce reverted her to her substantive post as Deputy Commissioner late last year, he addressed criticisms related to her removal. 

The governor insisted his decision was lawful and focused on organisational needs, saying former Commissioner Vanterpool had fulfilled her role beyond the expected period and that the choice of interim leadership was made to sustain resilience within the force.