The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) continues to come under scrutiny, following recent allegations of corruption against police officers. Photo: VINO/File

In a stinging rebuke of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF), Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has demanded urgent reforms to tackle corruption, improve leadership, and ensure integrity within law enforcement agencies. Photo: YouTube

Dr Wheatley was at the time speaking during the wrap-up of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime (Amendment) Bill 2024, debated at the First Sitting of the Second Session of the Fifth House of Assembly, which continued on Monday, January 13, 2025.

Leaving no room for ambiguity, the Premier bluntly put, “We have a lot of work to do, we have to build up that police force, we have to ensure that we have strong leadership in that police force, that we’re hiring persons of quality. We have to ensure we root out any type of corruption out of the police force.”

'We need to root them out'

Referencing recent charges brought against a rank of the RVIPF, Premier Wheatley applauded the move as a necessary step in restoring public trust.

“I saw that last week they charged a police officer. That’s the type of thing we need. And, of course, you’re innocent until proven guilty, so I’m not pronouncing anybody as guilty but we need to have some operations in that police force to identify anybody who’s corrupt. We need to root them out.”

In his scathing rebuke, the Premier warned that failure to address these issues internally would force external actors to step in and was adamant, “Let’s do it so other people don’t have to do it for us. We should lead the charge as leaders in this territory to ensure that our law enforcement agencies have integrity.”

DPP needs 'legislation to work'- Premier

Dr Wheatley also used the occasion to reiterate calls for better training and resources for the police and judicial systems, noting a breakdown in collaboration between law enforcement and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).

“Since I’ve been in the position, we’ve tried our best to give the DPP the resources they need to be able to do their work; We have to ensure that we get the resources into that department and into that office.”

With this in mind, he pointed to the broader legislative responsibilities of the government— referencing a controversial recent judgment—saying “We have to make sure the DPP has legislation to work with, by the way, and they don’t get judgments like that Astafan judgment. We have to ensure that, that’s our job, that is our responsibility.”

Not mincing words during his fiery presentation, the Premier in further outlining the need for action said, “I’m not excusing anything that’s happening that’s not supposed to happen; Let’s do our job. Our job is to make strong legislation.”