Ullger Sworn In as Interim Commissioner
Richard Ullger was sworn in as interim acting commissioner of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force on Nov. 19 following a ceremony at Government House, Governor Daniel Pruce announced. The appointment comes as a public petition supporting Acting Commissioner Jacqueline E. Vanterpool and calling for direct engagement from the governor continues to circulate across the Territory.
Richard Ullger was officially sworn in as interim acting commissioner of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) on Nov. 19, Governor Daniel Pruce announced following a ceremony at Government House. The governor said Ullger will lead the force while authorities continue the search for a permanent commissioner.
Pruce described Ullger’s role as crucial during the transition and said he expects the interim leader to support ongoing administration and reform efforts within the RVIPF. In his remarks the governor acknowledged a range of challenges facing the police: a shifting criminal landscape, internal reforms still to be completed, and the need for resources and training aligned with modern policing standards. "These issues require strong leadership, strategic planning, and collaboration with partners across the Territory," Pruce said, adding that he intends to work closely with Ullger and RVIPF personnel to strengthen the organisation.
The announcement comes amid a public petition supporting Acting Commissioner Jacqueline E. Vanterpool and asking for direct engagement from the governor. The petition — which continues to circulate across the Virgin Islands — underscores the heightened public interest in leadership of the RVIPF and in how reforms and appointments are handled.
The governor’s statement did not provide a timetable for the permanent appointment or outline the next steps in the selection process. For BVI residents, the interim appointment seeks to ensure continuity of command at a time when confidence in policing and the delivery of services are central community concerns.
A stable leadership team will be expected to prioritise officer training, community policing initiatives, transparent vetting and resourcing, and closer collaboration with regional and local partners to address crime trends. Ullger’s immediate remit will include managing day-to-day operations while supporting efforts to build "a highly professional, fully vetted, and properly resourced police force—one that earns the trust and confidence of all those we serve," the governor said.
Community groups, civil society and rank-and-file officers will be watching the interim period closely as the search for a permanent commissioner proceeds and as calls for clearer engagement from the governor continue. Further updates on the recruitment process or responses to the petition are expected as the administration moves forward with plans for the RVIPF leadership and reform agenda.
Primary source: JTV