Hon Mather slams Governor’s move to replace CoP Vanterpool as ‘premeditated’
Delivering his contribution during the continuation of the Second Session of the Fifth House of Assembly, on April 10, 2025, Hon Mather told colleagues that he was left “perturbed” by developments that unfolded concurrently with legislative deliberations.
“Madam Speaker, on Tuesday (April 8, 2025) I felt a bit [more] perturbed than normal because while we were debating in this House... the Governor immediately put out a statement... that the report was laid in the House, etc. And it said that since the report was laid, they were going to start again the application for the Commissioner of Police... based on a new person specification, updated in line with the recommendations in this report.”
Was this Premeditated?”
Hon Mather indicated to colleague legislators, that he interpreted the announcement as a preemptive move to sideline the current Acting Police Commissioner — Ms Jacqueline E. Vanterpool, a Virgin Islander — in favour of a potential outside appointee.
“Madam Speaker, this sounds like another jab for another person to come in; The present Commissioner of Police can be seen in the street, greeting all people... at events... A Virgin Islander who wants to protect our country.”
With this in mind, he openly questioned whether there had been a predetermined intention to announce the selection process for a new Commissioner the moment the report was made public.
“Madam Speaker, was this premeditated; Release the report, put out the press release; But then also you need to make sure you let the Virgin Islands public know who's paying attention, that we got a new commissioner coming.”
It is what it is!
Further criticising what he described as systemic bias in recruitment for high-level positions, Hon Mather posits, “If a local commissioner comes in here asking for support, and the support as needed is financial, do you think it's more likely that the House Assembly will make it happen? I think so. It’s a simple bias. It is what it is.”
He further lamented the rationale of having a local officer act in the role of Commissioner only to be later replaced by an external candidate, describing it as a recurring issue in local governance, “You're going to have a lady acting. Six months. And then say, you know what, somebody else come in.”
According to Hon Mather, “There’s this myth that when some positions are there, you put a Virgin Islander to train underneath that person. And when it’s time for that person to leave, that Virgin Islander takes it up. Madam Speaker, maybe we need to force that point.”
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8 Responses to “Hon Mather slams Governor’s move to replace CoP Vanterpool as ‘premeditated’”
Chinese Proverb: Dig a well before you get thirsty. The VI has let itself be ensnarled in this colonialism trap. Among other colonialism is about division. Colonialism deliberately works to divide a community then it strikes like a rattler. The VI is a divided, polarized small community and Mount Olympus is exploiting the disunity. Unity is strength and power; there is strength and power in numbers. The Governor’s strategy is genius, ie,, having a house divided fighting among itself; a divided house will fall. The community is in disarray. By the way, John Rankin was a choir boy and he was a horrified compared to Daniel Pruce. He is a quieter version but deadlier. Why was he chased away from Bermuda another OT? I digress.
Moreover, it is crystal clear that Pruce does not want ACoP Jacqueline Vanterpool in the job permanently. She is just a temporary place holder. He feels emboldened to take this and whatever action he wants, for Virgin IsLanders are a bunch of wet noodles p…..es. Vanterpool’s crime is that she is a woman, a black woman, a local woman. Where has the Virgin Islands signature rugged individualism gone? They have gone from rugged individualism to wanting, hoping to get they want on a golden, chrome platter. Here is a news flash to my fellow Virgin Islanders progress comes with fight, sacrifice, etc., not raising the White flag. Virgin Islanders are a minority working towards re-enslavement. Dey tink es joke. Harry eloquently said ,” you will hear.” Ay yu stay dey hoping a greater fool will fight dey battle dem. Dah greater fool you hoping for waiting pun a greater-greater fool. Stop the damn nonsense, unite, stand up and fight like a rattler for rights, your place in the sun. Stop being cowards, p..ssies. Don’t let less be your best. I’m tired typing about your shameless, lessness. Come out yur hole and fight. R@$$ mon!!!