Premier and Leaders Unite as Road Town
Dozens of residents, social justice advocates and both government and opposition leaders gathered outside the Governor’s Office in Road Town on November 11 to protest the reversion of Acting Police Commissioner Jacqueline Vanterpool to Deputy Commissioner and the planned interim appointment of former Gibraltar Police Commissioner Richard Ullger. Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley urged Governor Daniel Pruce to reconsider the decision, framing it as a matter of local leadership and accountability; Governor Pruce earlier defended the move as constitutionally sound and said the interim post would be funded by the United Kingdom (reported by JTV and BVI News).
Natalio Wheatley on Monday publicly urged Governor Daniel Pruce to reverse his decision to remove Acting Police Commissioner Jacqueline Vanterpool, speaking to a crowd of demonstrators gathered outside the Governor’s Office in Road Town on November 11 (reported by BVI News and JTV).
The protest followed Governor Pruce’s November 6 statement that former Royal Gibraltar Police Commissioner Richard Ullger would take up the role of interim acting commissioner on November 18, with Vanterpool — who served as acting commissioner for more than a year — to return to her substantive post as Deputy Commissioner (reported by JTV).
Dozens of residents and a rare cross‑section of political leaders turned out for Monday’s demonstration, with both government ministers and opposition members standing together against the appointment of a United Kingdom national to the senior post, JTV reported. Those who attended and were named by JTV included Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports Hon.
Sharie deCastro; Minister for Health and Social Development Hon. Wheatley; Deputy Speaker and District One Representative Hon. Karl Dawson; Junior Minister for Financial Services and Economic Development Hon. Lorna Smith; Junior Minister for Tourism and Culture Hon. Speakers at the rally included former Deputy Premier Dr.
Kedrick Pickering, former legislator Shereen Flax‑Charles and representatives from civil organisations such as Aaron Parillon of the Virgin Islands Communal Association (VICA) and community activist Kyle Ricketts, JTV said. The Alliance, a three‑member opposition grouping, also issued a statement calling for “openness, transparency, and accountability,” and noted that Governor Pruce had only months earlier publicly commended Vanterpool for her work (reported earlier by BVI News).
Addressing the crowd, Premier Wheatley described Vanterpool as a symbol of hard work and integrity, saying she has been “disrespected, disregarded, and ignored” and calling on the Governor to “reconsider your position.” He told protesters that Vanterpool had applied for the post and had risen through the ranks locally, arguing that an interim senior post should not go to someone he said “knows nothing about the Virgin Islands” (quotes reported by JTV and BVI News).
Governor Pruce, in his November 6 statement reported by JTV, defended the appointment as following constitutional procedure and said the interim role was intended to “ensure continuity” while recruitment for a permanent commissioner continues. The Governor also thanked Vanterpool for her service and noted that the interim appointment would be funded by the United Kingdom to help relieve resourcing pressures within the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, JTV added.
Vanterpool, who is the first Virgin Islander woman to act as Police Commissioner, has not made a public statement on her reversion, JTV reported. Organisers said the demonstration concluded peacefully and pledged to continue pressing for local leadership and accountability in the selection of the next Police Commissioner.
The episode has intensified public scrutiny of how senior security appointments are made in the Territory and has raised broader questions about the balance of authority between the Governor and elected leaders; it remains unclear whether Governor Pruce will reverse or alter his decision.
Primary source: BVI News