Governor’s Police Appointment Undermines Public Trust; Premier
Premier Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley has criticised Governor Daniel Pruce’s decision to reinstate Acting Commissioner Jacqueline E. Vanterpool to Deputy Commissioner and to appoint retired UK officer Richard Ullger as Acting Commissioner, saying the move risks undermining public confidence and may unfairly affect the pending Police Service Commission recommendation. The Government of the Virgin Islands has issued a formal press release restating the Premier’s support for promotion of Virgin Islanders into senior roles and praising Vanterpool’s performance, while public reaction and questions about process remain unresolved.
Wheatley has publicly criticised Governor Daniel Pruce’s recent policing appointment, saying it risks undermining public confidence in leadership at a sensitive time for the Territory. At a press conference on Friday, 7 November 2025, Dr. Wheatley said the governor had informed him of the decision to revert Acting Commissioner Jacqueline E.
Vanterpool to her substantive post of Deputy Commissioner and to appoint retired UK officer Richard Ullger as Acting Commissioner of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) (Government of the Virgin Islands; Guavaberry). Wheatley told reporters he did not agree with the move for several reasons, notably timing and process.
He said his representative on the Police Service Commission (PSC) had informed him the commission’s recommendation for a permanent commissioner was imminent, and warned that bringing in an international interim leader could be disruptive if Ms Vanterpool is ultimately selected (Government of the Virgin Islands).
The Premier said the actions of the governor “may be constitutional,” but added they “undermine public trust” and raise doubts about whether Ms Vanterpool has a fair opportunity to win the permanent post (Government of the Virgin Islands). He also commended Ms Vanterpool’s performance while serving as Acting Commissioner, saying the force “performed well under the leadership of Jackie Vanterpool” and that the public had recognised the results she delivered (Government of the Virgin Islands).
Wheatley expressed particular concern about the timing of the decision amid what he described as an upsurge in certain crimes and an ongoing manhunt for two dangerous escapees, telling reporters “this is not the right time to disrupt the leadership of the force” (Government of the Virgin Islands).
He said, as a member of the National Security Council and the elected leader of government, he felt duty-bound to clarify his position on the matter (Government of the Virgin Islands). The Premier also questioned the process used to appoint an interim Acting Commissioner, saying he was unaware of any formal application process and that the National Security Council’s advice was not sought for a decision of this significance (Guavaberry).
Independent reporting by VINO captured public reaction, noting some residents called the move “sad, sexist and a step backwards” and that supporters of Ms Vanterpool were planning a public demonstration for Monday, 10 November; VINO also reported the governor’s office had not publicly detailed its reasons for the reappointment at the time of reporting (VINO).
In remarks recorded by Guavaberry and reiterated in an official Government of the Virgin Islands press release issued after the press conference, Dr. Wheatley framed the issue within a broader push for local capacity and succession planning. He listed a number of past UK nationals who have served as commissioners over recent decades — including Barry Webb, David Morris, Michael Matthews, Mark Collins, Vernon Malone and Reynell Frazer — and argued that recurring short-term overseas appointments undercut long-term local development (Guavaberry; Government of the Virgin Islands).
The Government of the Virgin Islands press release updates and reaffirms the Premier’s support for the advancement of Virgin Islanders into top leadership positions across the public service, including the RVIPF, and reiterates that the Territory must create training and upward-mobility opportunities so Virgin Islanders can reach senior posts (Government of the Virgin Islands).
The PSC’s recommendation for a permanent commissioner is still awaited, and the governor’s public explanation for the interim appointment remains limited, leaving key questions about process and timing unresolved as the Territory watches for next steps (Government of the Virgin Islands; VINO).
Primary source: VINO