Acting Commissioner Vanterpool Reinforces Community Policing as
During a landmark ceremony, Acting Commissioner of Police, Ms. Jacqueline E. Vanterpool, emphasized the integral role of community policing in the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force's operations, marking the completion of a significant training program for officers. She underscored the commitment to a renewed vision of policing that prioritizes community engagement, partnership, and service.
In a defining moment for the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF), Acting Commissioner Ms. Vanterpool highlighted the pivotal role of community policing in the force's renewed vision during a ceremony at the New Life Baptist Church on Friday, September 5, 2025. The event celebrated the completion of the Community Policing Training and the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training, symbolizing a significant step towards integrating community engagement at the heart of policing efforts in the British Virgin Islands.
Vanterpool expressed her deep-rooted passion for community policing, a philosophy that has long been advocated by police commissioners but faced challenges in its full implementation. "Community policing is my passion," Vanterpool stated, emphasizing its importance as the cornerstone of her 100-day plan and the future direction of the RVIPF.
With 74 officers receiving their certification in Community Policing Training, the Acting Commissioner highlighted the strides taken towards overcoming past impediments and fully embedding community policing within the force's identity. The Acting Commissioner shared insights into her approach, including walking among community members, listening to their concerns, and committing to a responsive, respectful, and professional police service. "We have not always gotten it right," she admitted, but stressed the significant progress made towards a policing foundation that values engagement, respect, and integrity.
Further solidifying the commitment to community policing, Ms. Vanterpool announced that 22 officers from the training program will serve as Community Policing Trainers, ensuring the sustainability and long-term impact of this initiative. She clarified that community policing transcends being a mere department or project; it is the essence of how the RVIPF operates and builds trust within the community.
The ceremony not only marked the culmination of vital training programs but also served as a platform to reaffirm the RVIPF's dedication to a policing model that prioritizes community partnership, understanding, and compassion. Vanterpool's message to the newly certified officers was clear: they are now ambassadors of a vision that seeks to transform policing through collaboration, acknowledgment of shortcomings, and the integration of external expertise.
As the RVIPF moves forward, the emphasis on community policing as its core identity promises to reshape the relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve, fostering a safer, more engaged, and mutually respectful environment across the British Virgin Islands.
Primary source: VINO