Governor Swears In Controversial Interim Police Commissioner
Governor Pruce announced on November 7 that Jacqueline E. Vanterpool would be reverted from Acting Commissioner to her substantive post as Deputy Commissioner and that Richard Ullger, the former Commissioner of Police in Gibraltar, would be nominated as an interim Acting Commissioner. Ullger was appointed on November 19; Premier Andrew Fahie (Wheatley) told the UK Minister for Overseas Territories he disagreed with the Governor’s decision and has been engaging with the Governor and the NSC about the process, VINO reported. The appointment has drawn sustained public protests, objections from the Police Service Commission and criticism from local leaders who say the process lacked transparency and did not respect the PSC’s role, according to VINO reporting.
On November 7, Governor Pruce announced he would revert Jacqueline E. Vanterpool from her role as Acting Commissioner of Police to her substantive post as Deputy Commissioner and said he had nominated Richard Ullger, the former Commissioner of Police in Gibraltar, as interim Acting Commissioner for a limited period, VINO reported.
That announcement set off a week of public action. From Monday, November 10 through Friday, November 14, residents staged protests including a demonstration outside the Governor’s Office, a town hall meeting, a panel discussion and a March for Democracy. Organisers also launched the Virgin Islands Petition Against Governor's Commissioner Decision.
Critics accused the Governor and the UK of favouring a UK national for the senior post and described the move as discriminatory; some protesters and commentators called the decision racist and sexist, VINO said. In a follow-up statement on November 14, Governor Pruce emphasised that Ullger was not being nominated as the permanent Commissioner and said the appointment would be temporary.
The Governor told media he had sought advice from the National Security Council and would consider the Police Service Commission’s recommendation in due course. He also referenced media reporting of allegations made against Ullger while he served in Gibraltar and cited a review by the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) that, he said, found no supporting evidence for those allegations, VINO reported.
Ms Vanterpool was expected to return to work as Deputy Commissioner on Tuesday, November 18, VINO reported. The interim appointment of Richard Ullger proceeded the following day: VINO said Ullger was formally appointed as interim Acting Commissioner of Police on Wednesday, November 19, and that Governor Pruce swore him in while reverting Ms Vanterpool to Deputy Commissioner despite objections from the PSC and ongoing community opposition.
Many residents and civic groups told VINO they view the appointment as part of a pattern of gubernatorial intervention in local appointments, recalling earlier instances when the Governor intervened in recruitment processes. Critics also pointed to what they call a double standard: several public servants previously cleared of wrongdoing — including former Comptroller of Customs Wade N.
Smith and former Director of the International Affairs Secretariat Najah Christopher — were not reinstated, yet Ullger, who has faced scrutiny in Gibraltar, was given an interim post, VINO reported. Natalio Wheatley held a press conference and said he had spoken by phone on November 20 with the UK Minister for Overseas Territories, Hon Stephen J.
Doughty, and had been in dialogue with Governor Pruce through Cabinet and the National Security Council. “I respectfully expressed my disagreement with the decision to move forward with Mr Ullger’s appointment,” the Premier told reporters, according to VINO. He said the PSC has made a recommendation for a substantive Commissioner and that recommendation will be coming to the NSC imminently.
The Premier said he believed the matter should have been resolved before an interim appointment was made and called the process “poorly handled,” saying it did not reflect transparency, good governance or sensitivity to public concerns. Premier Wheatley also said while the Governor acted within his constitutional powers, the exercise of that discretion was not “in keeping with the modern partnership” the UK had committed to, and he reiterated his aim to continue respectful dialogue with the Minister and the Governor to defend the security and democratic rights of the people of the Virgin Islands, VINO reported.
Residents, civic groups and former officials continue to call for clearer, more transparent procedures and for greater respect for the PSC’s role as it manages the separate recruitment process for a permanent Commissioner, according to VINO.
Primary source: VINO