Pruce Defends Police Commissioner's Extension
Governor Daniel Pruce says a three-month extension for Interim Acting Police Commissioner Richard Ullger is intended to preserve stability while the search for a permanent commissioner continues. Ullger has agreed to stay until about mid-year but says he will not accept a longer-term extension.
Governor Daniel Pruce has defended his decision to extend the tenure of Interim Acting Police Commissioner Richard Ullger by three months, telling reporters the move is aimed at maintaining leadership stability in the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force while the recruitment process for a substantive commissioner continues. "We also need to ensure stability in the leadership of the police force," Pruce said at a press conference, adding that he expected Ullger to remain in post until around the middle of this year.
The governor said the Police Service Commission completed its part of the recruitment exercise and submitted a recommendation late last year; that recommendation has been considered by the National Security Council and discussions remain ongoing. Pruce emphasised the need for a diligent appointment process and cautioned against speculation about candidates while deliberations continue.
He warned that uncertainty at the top of the force can have a "corrosive effect" on the rest of the organisation, and said the short extension was intended to avoid that risk. Ullger confirmed on the Talking Points programme that he agreed to stay at the governor's request but made clear he does not intend to remain beyond the brief extension. "He asked me to stay on for a few more months, which I've agreed to do," he said, adding that a longer-term interim leadership would do a disservice to the force because the Commissioner should be in post for three or four years to provide sustained direction.
The recruitment for a permanent Commissioner of Police began after the departure of former Commissioner Mark Collins in 2024 and resumed in earnest in 2025 following publication of a law enforcement review. Pruce halted the initial campaign in late 2024, saying the original field did not reflect the revised qualities sought for the role and that changing security challenges required the process to be redefined before proceeding.
The recruitment has attracted scrutiny, particularly after Acting Commissioner Jacqueline Vanterpool—who led the force for more than a year and applied for the permanent role—was not selected. Pruce reverted her to Deputy Commissioner last year and defended that decision as lawful and driven by organisational needs and resilience.
For residents, the administration frames the short extension as a way to keep operational steadiness in policing during a sensitive recruitment phase. Government and community stakeholders will be watching for a final appointment in the coming months as discussions between the Governor’s office, the Police Service Commission and the National Security Council continue.
Primary source: BVI News