Governor Defends Vanterpool Reassignment Amid Questions Over
Governor Daniel Pruce has defended his decision to end Jacqueline Vanterpool’s time as Acting Commissioner of Police and return her to her substantive post as Deputy Commissioner, saying the move was carefully considered and within his constitutional remit. He confirmed he informed but did not seek advice from the National Security Council, nominated Richard Ullger as interim commissioner and submitted his CV to the Police Service Commission as the recruitment process for a permanent commissioner continues.
Governor Daniel Pruce has stood by his decision to end Jacqueline Vanterpool’s period as Acting Commissioner of Police and revert her to her substantive post as Deputy Commissioner, saying the move was guided by his constitutional responsibility to ensure the effective operation and resilience of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF).
Speaking on the Talking Points radio programme this week, Governor Pruce described the decision as “very carefully weighed and carefully considered” and said prolonged acting appointments can weaken an organisation. “When Jackie was first appointed, I certainly didn’t envisage that it would be over a year that she would have to fulfil that role.
In any organisation, especially one as complex, operating in such a difficult environment as the RVIPF is, a long period of acting leadership has an impact on the resilience of that organisation,” he told host Damion Grange (BVI News). Pruce emphasised the move was not punitive. “This is not a demotion, it’s not a sacking.
She’s returning to her permanent substantive appointment where she will still have an enormous contribution to make to the force,” he said, noting Vanterpool will resume duties as Deputy Commissioner while the formal selection process for a permanent commissioner continues (BVI News).
The Governor confirmed he has nominated Richard Ullger, until recently Commissioner of Police in Gibraltar, for the interim post and has submitted Ullger’s CV to the Police Service Commission (PSC) for their constitutional advice. Pruce referenced an earlier National Crime Agency review that, he said, found no supporting evidence for allegations raised against Ullger by defence lawyers in an unrelated court case and cleared him of conduct concerns (BVI News).
Addressing criticism that his decision amounted to colonial overreach, Pruce rejected those claims and said his duty is to the police force as an organisation. He also said the interim commissioner’s appointment will be funded by the United Kingdom, which he said will free RVIPF budget resources to shore up senior leadership and organisational resilience.
Newly disclosed on the radio programme was Pruce’s explanation of his interactions with the National Security Council (NSC). When asked whether he had discussed the move with the Premier and NSC members, Pruce said he consulted only the PSC before acting and updated the NSC twice for transparency, but was under no obligation to seek its advice on an acting or interim appointment (BVI News). “In this situation, there isn’t a requirement to seek the advice of the National Security Council.
But nevertheless, I did take the opportunity on two occasions to update the NSC,” he said. The Governor’s comments come amid public criticism and large protests outside Government House after it was announced Vanterpool, who served as Acting Commissioner for more than a year, would revert to Deputy Commissioner effective November 18.
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has publicly opposed the move, saying it is ill-timed and risks damaging public confidence; he confirmed he had been informed and raised concerns that Vanterpool may not have been given a fair opportunity to compete for the permanent role (BVI News). Reports also suggest tensions between the Governor and Vanterpool escalated after the Governor accused her in writing of misleading officers about the status of a police vetting initiative, though Pruce maintains his actions were lawful and aimed at strengthening the force.
The PSC remains responsible for appointing a permanent commissioner, and the Governor said he is committed to engaging with officers to improve morale and resolve concerns as the recruitment process continues. Further updates from the PSC and on the interim appointment are expected as the process moves forward.
Primary source: BVI News