RVIPF officers still not happy with new vetting process

Acting Police Commissioner Jacqueline Vanterpool has indicated that there are a number of police officers who remain uncomfortable with the new vetting process that all current and future members of Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) must now undergo.

Police officers reportedly raised concerns with some aspects of the vetting process that require disclosing sensitive information. This prompted the Governor’s Office to seek further legal advice to assure officers that the process was constitutionally sound.

Acting Commissioner Vanterpool stated that she now believes the process doesn’t violate any constitutional right of officers. At the same time, she admitted that she understands the discomfort some police officers are still experiencing.

“My officers are not at a place of comfort right now as it relates to the vetting. The vetting form is very intrusive in terms of the information that we have to disseminate. The Attorney General has explained the constitutional parts where we thought there were breaches and they’ve confirmed that no such breaches are taking place,” Vanterpool told JTV News.

She added: “If my officers are complaining that it is still challenging for them, I stand in solidarity to support them because I have a duty and a care to look out for my officers. The underlying factor is that the officers are still uncomfortable, they don’t think we have really addressed the issues they raised with the vetting.”

Governor Daniel Pruce has already started the vetting process, with an aim to vet all serving officers by autumn. The Governor reportedly made the decision unilaterally, without the input of the National Security Council or the Police Service Commission.

Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has reminded the public that the Governor has the constitutional right to make unilateral security decisions without the approval of other levels of government.

In the meantime, Acting Commissioner Vanterpool said members of the force are free to seek alternative legal advice if they still have concerns about the vetting process. But she said the vetting policy remains a reality for all persons who wish to serve the RVIPF.

“Of course, they can seek legal recourse to get a better perspective, but it doesn’t change the fact that as an organisation, we have an obligation to be vetted. We must be vetted – there’s no if or maybe about it. But the challenges must also be addressed for officers to be comfortable and for us to move forward,” Vanterpool stated.