‘Public trust is a major concern’ – Commissioner admits
Acting Commissioner of Police Jacqueline Vanterpool has admitted that rebuilding public trust in the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) remains one of her greatest challenges as crime continues to rise across the territory.
“Community policing should be the heartbeat of any commissioner that comes into RVIPF. That is what builds a public trust and confidence, because you have to be out there,” Vanterpool explained.
She added that she has put in place a strategy to ensure the public is updated monthly on operations and outcomes. The Commissioner said greater transparency has already improved how residents view the force.
“If you realise, our arrest matters have taken an upgrade this year, letting people know what type of firearms we seize, what type of ammunition, what drugs,” she stated. “The public needs to know. We are out there doing search warrants, we are out there doing operations, what are we collecting?”
Concerns about declining public confidence in the police are longstanding. Earlier this year, residents had questioned the lack of visible patrols and slow updates on criminal cases, saying this eroded trust in the force. Vanterpool acknowledged these concerns, noting that police visibility had dipped but would be restored.
“We’ve been out a little too long. And the last two weeks I reminded my commanders that we need to get back out there. Because I get the telephone calls, we’re not seeing them anymore,” she said. The RVIPF has recorded a sharp increase in criminal activity in 2025.
“It is a harsh reality, crime is on the rise. Our stats are showing that we are facing one of the most challenging periods within the RVIPF,” Vanterpool admitted.
From January to June this year, the force recorded 875 offences, compared to 770 in 2024, including an increase in robberies and domestic cases. To address the issue, the RVIPF is preparing for a national crime summit in September.
“It’s been long and outstanding, and it’s finally on the verge of commencing. We’re looking forward to it, not so much to see only, but for us to execute all crime plans as well within that summit so the public can know exactly what the police is doing,” Vanterpool explained.
Despite the challenges, she said she remains proud of progress made under her leadership.
“From October last year to present, how I rate myself, I feel proud and honoured for what has been accomplished under my watch,” she said.
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Cease breaking the bond of trust by giving police support to legalize weed. The Caribbean community knows it is a main reason why persons dislike and not trust police. They are not from the community and can go to the bar undercover and drink sunset but hate the rasta who hurts no one. Meanwhile crime is on the rise.
I think i read a complaint about the endless smoking on the festival night when mali don was playing…
i’m just glad to see im not the only 1 who have noticed that youths are caught in some serious stuff from young girls dressing half naked and doing the nasty with peers or grown men
to young boys getting in gangs and fights over pettyness, wearing gold chains, sagggin pants, blasting songs about violence,gangs,sex and ofc everybody and them grandmother smoking.
i have no problem against the green plant but the type of characters it attracts are not the best kind of people.
so chances are your youth will be caught up when some people who are not the best type of role models and will be influcned.
if you check the socials theres a lot of push back from a “certain crowd” mostly young adults and young people who have issue with what Mr Skelton post about is disappointment of the state of the youths at festival.
check the people who have an issue with his post. check their pages and you’ll see a common theme…big chains, smokers, scandaoulus women, night life people,scooter riders, sagging pants, gangs signs, single parents (due to poor life choices) etc…. is the same kinda people who enjoy what you see at festival now giving push back.
they love to see the minors dress half naked..some of them even friends with those minors on facebook….. they love to party, they love to smoke, they love the nightlife, they dont mind criminals unless its their opps, they love the loosness festival brings cuz they them self loose.
yall keep flashing the same stuff in the youths them face and wonder why the youths them so unruly?
you have that local rapper back on stage this year again with his big chains, sagging pants and ofc the lyrics he singing to the young people. you got songs about sex,drugs,violence,gangs etc blasting on the speakers while rum and weed run rampant amongst the 6-17 yr olds in plain sight…. then we sit down and wonder why we got 13 yr olds with ak47 or why we got so much singles mothers and stds through the place. I saw a video where West bank was pormoted on stage againnn by another artist…. we straight up glorifying criminals and criminality!
well the roosters has come home to rooost and all ain reach yet…we just see the start of it…
so all and all i dont think legalizing the green plants is good idea unless is for medicine and recreational limited to your house not out in public places. The lifystyle associated with that plant is usualy criminal lifestyle wether it legal or not it attracts a certain kinda crowd and that crowd will try to influence the youths getting them caught up in the crime life.
Can YOU be TRUSTED?
Acting Commissioner J.Vanterpool, can YOU be TRUSTED?
Them police going to soon get what coming to them,. S*, and Lil want, stay home we can see how hot it , the police done enough to people life Born hear life matter
Police MUST develop a culture where the Corrupt officer fears the incorruptible officer and not the other way around. That’s been my professional cry about law enforcement.