Policing Is a Calling, Vanterpool Says
Acting Commissioner Jacqueline E. Vanterpool opened the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force's 58th anniversary on October 19, 2025, urging officers to view policing as a calling rooted in courage, compassion and community. She highlighted recent progress in training, tools and partnerships, and called for unity as the Force pursues safer communities across the BVI.
Acting Commissioner of Police Jacqueline E. Vanterpool marked the official start of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force's 58th anniversary on Sunday, October 19, 2025, reminding officers that policing is "not merely an occupation, it is a calling." The anniversary—marking the Force's independence since 1967—carries the theme "Our Purpose and Passion Revived; Restoring Connections while Saving Lives." Speaking to members of the RVIPF, Vanterpool said the celebration should be a moment of reflection to guide the Force's future, helping officers find "the wisdom and strength" to remain resilient and united.
She urged colleagues to remember that, despite change and sacrifice, their core mission to serve, protect and preserve life, people and property endures. "Progress may not always come easily," the Acting Commissioner acknowledged, outlining work over the past year to address concerns and strengthen operations.
Vanterpool said the Force has focused on improving tools, training and leadership development to better meet modern policing challenges. She also highlighted deeper partnerships with the community and other agencies, noting that safety and security are shared responsibilities. For BVI residents, those remarks signal continued emphasis on crime reduction and community safety initiatives.
Vanterpool said the Force's efforts are driven by a commitment to create safer neighbourhoods for those who live, work and visit the islands, and that every incremental improvement reflects a collective determination to protect the territory. The Acting Commissioner appealed to officers to reflect on why they serve and the lives they influence.
She called for courage, compassion, faith and what she termed a "sovereign heart," encouraging acts of kindness, patience and integrity as building blocks of public trust. "Our greatest strength lies in our unity—unity of purpose, of vision, and of heart," she said, adding that the Force must move forward as one to overcome challenges.
As the RVIPF marks its 58th year, Vanterpool's message was both a celebration and a call to action: maintain momentum on training and partnerships, strengthen community ties, and recommit to the principles that sustain public confidence. For residents, the anniversary offers a reminder that policing and public safety remain a shared task between the Force and the communities it serves.
Primary source: VINO