Governor Rejects Racism Claims Over Police Change
Governor Daniel Pruce has denied allegations that racism or sexism influenced his decision to revert Acting Police Commissioner Jacqueline Vanterpool to her substantive post as deputy commissioner, saying the move was made to protect public safety and ensure the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force operates effectively. The governor has nominated Richard Ullger as interim acting commissioner and said the appointment is temporary; local reports add that the Police Service Commission reportedly rejected Ullger and that the interim post will be funded by the United Kingdom, while Vanterpool’s reversion is set to take effect on November 18.
Governor Daniel Pruce has rejected accusations that racism or sexism played any part in his decision to remove Jacqueline (Jackie) Vanterpool as Acting Commissioner of Police and return her to her substantive role as Deputy Commissioner, saying the change was made to protect public safety and the operational effectiveness of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF).
In a video statement posted on the HM Governor’s Office Facebook page on November 14, Pruce told residents that claims his decision was rooted in discrimination were "completely false." He reiterated his constitutional duty under the Police Act to ensure the police force functions effectively as an organisation and that his decisions are guided by what will improve public safety in the territory (statement reported by JTV and posted on the Governor’s social media page).
Pruce said Vanterpool, the first Virgin Islander woman to serve as acting commissioner, had remained in the acting role "far longer than anticipated" since her appointment last autumn. He warned that extended acting appointments can undermine an organisation’s ability to respond to an increasingly complex crime environment.
The governor thanked Vanterpool for her decades of service and for leading the force over the past year, adding that he had on occasion raised private concerns about her performance but that discussing those publicly would be inappropriate. The governor announced he had nominated Richard Ullger, a former commissioner of police in Gibraltar, to serve as interim acting commissioner beginning November 18.
Pruce described the appointment as temporary, following normal constitutional procedures, and distinct from the Police Service Commission’s ongoing recruitment for a permanent commissioner (JTV). Local reporting by BVI News added that the Police Service Commission reportedly rejected Ullger as a candidate and also noted that the interim post would be funded by the United Kingdom, which the governor said would free up additional resources within the force.
BVI News further reported that Vanterpool’s reversion to Deputy Commissioner is effective as of November 18, 2025; the governor’s public statement set the transition for November 18 but did not specify a year in his video. The announcement has provoked public reaction. A protest outside the Governor’s Office in Road Town on November 11 drew Premier Dr.
Wheatley, several ministers and opposition figures who accused the governor of sidelining local leadership and called for the decision to be reversed (reported by JTV and BVI News). The government also urged the governor to reconsider, with supporters holding rallies outside Government House.
Pruce pointed to an ongoing vetting exercise of all police officers that began earlier this year and a law-enforcement review that identified areas for improvement within the RVIPF — processes he called essential to internal reform and rebuilding public trust. Vanterpool has not issued a public comment on her reassignment.
The Police Service Commission continues its search for a permanent commissioner; the governor says he will consider its recommendation after consulting the National Security Council and has urged calm while recruitment and review processes proceed.
Primary source: JTV