New CoP should bring ‘radical transformational change’- Governor Pruce
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On October 31, 2024, it was announced that the search for a new CoP was suspended; a decision that surprised many.
However, speaking with JTV Channel 55’s Cathy O. Richards in December 2024, Governor Pruce sought to clarify the sudden suspension of the process to recruit a new Commission of Police for the Virgin Islands (VI).
Not directly involved in the process
The search for a new top cop has been a matter of concern for residents in the VI. Former CoP Mark Collins’ tenure ended on November 30, 2024; he was appointed to the position by former Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert in April 2021.
Jacqueline E. Vanterpool is currently the Acting Commissioner of Police.
Governor Pruce, during the sit down with Miss Richards, said as Governor he is not directly involved in the recruitment process.
“My job comes at the end of the process, where the selection panel has identified their recommended candidate that then comes to me. So I'm not directly involved in the recruitment process itself,” he said.
However, many in the Police Welfare Association have blasted Governor Pruce for his direct interference in the recruitment process. It is believed that because there were no UK nationals, including Assistant Police Commissioner Pam Trevillion, on the shortlist he interfered, abruptly and illegally halting the process.
Many believe that Governor Pruce is determined to return a UK national to the post of Commissioner of Police when in fact there are many locals in the Virgin Islands who can hold the post including Comptroller of Customs Wade N. Smith, former Superintendent of His Majesty’s Prisons, and Guy M. Hill, and Financial Investigation Head Mr. Errol George.
Both the Police Service Commission and the National Security Council have insisted that there are qualified locals who can hold the post, but many remain suspicious of Governor Pruce and his continued interference in the process
It is also believed that all those who applied and made the shortlist must now reapply. The system, to many critics, has already been tainted and many are aware of what Governor Pruce’s outcome will be, another UK national.
Some of the Governor’s critics have even said that he is fighting to find a post for the former disgraced and embattled CoP Mark Collins but he has been faced with resistance from the Police Service Commission and others with knowledge of the plot.
Mark Collins left the post of CoP in disgrace with fifty-five counts alleged against him including corruption and a bogus investigation where many who were involved in the allegations were not even interviewed.
Virgin Islanders are determined to have a local Commissioner of Police who is qualified back at the helm of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force.
Law enforcement review
While the search for a new CoP began sometime in May 2024, a law enforcement review was also started where several areas needing attention arose within the police and other law enforcement agencies most important among which was the need for great leadership.
With the finalization of the first volume of the review, the second he said should come in early 2025.
“I understand that will include a further series of far-reaching recommendations for the law enforcement community, again, including the police…So with that knowledge, I felt that we needed to rethink the person specification for the next police commissioner because we had new information,” Governor Pruce stated.
Looking for someone ‘very experienced’- Governor Pruce
Governor Pruce said it was necessary to stop the recruitment process until the final version of Volume 2 of the Law Enforcement Review is ready which will then be used as a guide.
“That seemed to me to be the correct approach. It also seemed to me to be the fair approach, because I didn't feel that we could continue with a process where we would be recruiting people against a specification, which we knew was no longer the specification that we needed for the future,” Governor Pruce explained.
The Governor said they will be looking for someone who is a “very experienced police officer” with a vast knowledge of the administration of law, order, and security.
“But we also need someone who will be able to deliver quite radical transformational change in a complex organization, with a lot of moving parts, that is itself dealing with a range of diverse challenges,” he added.
Governor Pruce said the process, when restarted, can take months however he hopes the Virgin Islands will have a new Police Commissioner in place by late summer or late autumn.
See link to previous story published on November 1, 2024
Governor Pruce suddenly suspends recruitment process for new CoP | Virgin Islands News Online
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23 Responses to “New CoP should bring ‘radical transformational change’- Governor Pruce”
What an insult to the acting COP. The Governor's intention is clearly stated without him saying it. He prefers to fill the position with a non Virgin Islander ( firmly a UK national) deep $%^&.
Yes I am VI individual /family generations from Nottingham Estate who is making this statement and yes I had dealt with her already.Waste of time and I was surprised and really disappointed. It hard to cheer/big up for the home tea
We all is grab in a barrel the Govoner is right. Do not chose those un educated pleople they full of $%^&.
Wade is clean and could be cop but he is black and would not qualify and we know the charges are bogus just like those on Myron, esteemed, Najain and Stevens
One reason I dont like police is because they uphold foolish laws and it reminds me that ignorance like slavery was legal, enforced and now we have police running people down for a plant that heals. Ignorance.
On New years Eve tourist were indulging left right and center no quality control except on the alcohol. Only happy to score. Several of them asked me hopping to get lucky and I told them no but unless you are a drinker its obvious we are far from reality to providing the adult entertainment what people really want in a safe manner.