Wheatley: What We Are Experiencing Is Colonialism
A "Hand off our Commissioner" gathering is planned for Monday, November 10, at the Governor’s Office parking lot as controversy grows over the Governor’s decision on the Office of the Commissioner of Police. Premier Wheatley described the situation as colonialism and urged residents to channel their discontent into support for constitutional change ahead of upcoming talks with the United Kingdom.
A "Hand off our Commissioner" gathering is scheduled for Monday, November 10, 2025, at 3:30 PM in the parking lot of the Governor’s Office as community concern grows over recent changes in the Office of the Commissioner of Police (CoP). Premier Wheatley, speaking at a press conference on Friday, November 7, said he would not formally label the planned event a protest but defended the public’s right to assemble “peacefully and freely” under the Virgin Islands Constitution.
He encouraged residents to convert their discontent into organised support for constitutional reform, saying the current dispute highlights a deeper democratic deficit. Governor Pruce has announced he will request that Ms Vanterpool revert to her former role as Deputy Commissioner of Police effective November 18, 2025, and that he has nominated Richard Ullger, a United Kingdom national, for the Commissioner of Police post.
The Governor’s statement triggered immediate reaction across the Territory and prompted calls for public demonstration. “What we experience now is called colonialism, and colonialism is something that the world, via the United Nations, says must come to an end,” Premier Wheatley said.
He argued there is no direct democratic accountability for decisions taken under parts of the constitution that fall under the Governor’s authority, and noted that unlike elected officials in other democracies, the public cannot vote on those appointments. Wheatley warned that, with the backing of the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office, the Governor can act contrary to local public opinion.
The Premier stressed the importance of peaceful, organised action and urged residents to support efforts for constitutional change. The Virgin Islands is due to enter negotiations with the United Kingdom on a new constitution, though an official date for those talks has not been announced.
For residents, the dispute raises immediate questions about local control of policing and broader governance. The CoP is a senior public safety position whose appointment and leadership affect day-to-day policing, community relations, and trust in law enforcement. Officials and community leaders have called for calm as protesters plan to assemble and as political leaders prepare for constitutional discussions with the UK.
As events unfold, the Territory faces both an immediate debate over a key public service appointment and a longer-term constitutional conversation about the balance of power between locally elected leaders and the Governor's reserved authorities. Authorities have reiterated the right to peaceful assembly while urging participants to avoid violence and respect public order.
Primary source: VINO