USVI appoints 1st female Chief of Police; Will the VI do the same?
The announcement marks a significant milestone for the US territory, as Hodge becomes the first woman in US Virgin Islands history to hold the position of Chief of Police.
Governor Bryan described the appointment as both “well-earned and long overdue,” emphasizing Hodge’s dedication and leadership throughout her two-decade career in law enforcement.
Hodge, who has been with VIPD for over 20 years, has served in a variety of leadership roles and has earned respect within both the department and the wider community. As Chief of Police, she will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the department in the St Thomas-St John District.
While the Commissioner of Police is responsible for the department’s leadership across the territory, the Chief of Police manages local command operations, ensuring effective coordination and performance at the district level.
Could Jacqueline E. Vanterpool be VI's 1st female CoP?
The Virgin Islands could also be close to seeing its first confirmed female Commissioner of Police (CoP), Jacqueline E. Vanterpool, who is currently acting in the position.
Vanterpool, a local, has been in the role since the departure of United Kingdom national Mark Collins, whose tumultuous tenure ended on November 30, 2024; however, it is unclear whether Governor Daniel Pruce will confirm her to the post.
Many are of the view that police have been making many breakthroughs in crime since Vanterpool has been at the helm and that public confidence in the RVIPF is returning.
One member of the public even got support from many persons in the community recently when he called for a petition for Vanterpool to be confirmed to the post.
Vanterpool doing a ‘fantastic job’- Gov Pruce
Some were concerned, however, that the Governor's decision late last year to suspend the hiring process for a new CoP and start a new one was to ensure a UK national got the job.
Others believed the suspension could work out in Ms Vanterpool's favour.
"They stopped the hiring process and extended the other senior officer contract by 6 months. My guess is to give her some time in the job so she can qualify for it. I agree she is proving herself more than capable and I hope she gets it because if they bring in another outsider with her in the acting position there will be merry hell for the Governor," a Sails Sandy posted.
Governor Daniel Pruce recently admitted that Ms Vanterpool was doing a “fantastic job” as Acting CoP.
“I have every confidence that she will manage and lead the police through this transition very successfully,” he said continuing, “In any big organisation when you have change at the top, it has an impact on the organisation, so that’s an additional challenge,” Mr Pruce stated on Talking Points on Monday, January 27, 2025.
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13 Responses to “USVI appoints 1st female Chief of Police; Will the VI do the same?”
She listening to the Jamdown for advice, not good
2) If she does and is acting C.O.P., why not promote her into the position? Why bring in another person if she is qualified?
3) Training someone to do the job Miss Vanterpool wants and is already doing is a slap in the face. I wouldn't train anyone!
4) Miss Vanterpool has a lot of experience on the job, and I see no reason she should not be COP unless she doesn't want the position and wants to retire.
Yes, she does want to be COP even fighting over the job with other colleagues. Un professional behavior
Promotion is not an entitlement and she's definitely Not qualified. All Ms Vanterpool did was put in time on the job. Look carefully when she's having a press conference, she's always walking with more than 5 officers to answer her questions. come on. Training someone? I would look for a qualify person from our caribbean island to fill the position. She just not ready, almost 65 and needs to go home. simply as that. .
too much emotions and power hungery and toxic behavior
We need level headed and progressive thinking in that area
Only then, could I believe, that female officers, in the US Virgin Islands, are truly, on the move!