Crime/Police
32 New RVIPF Officers Reminded That They Are Guardians Of The Community
Head of the Financial Investigation Agency in the British Virgin Islands Errol George reminded thirty-two new police officers, including Best Recruit Constable Keimar Greene, that they are now servants and guardians of the community committed to the service of justice during the May 18 commencement ceremony.
George was the keynote speaker at the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) graduation ceremony which was held on the grounds of the H Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC), Paraquita Bay in Tortola.
“Today marks a new journey as you embark on a worthwhile career of service to the community. As police and auxiliary officers you are servants and guardians of the public. Policing is a noble profession, no one forced you to choose it, you chose it of your own free will. By so doing you have an obligation to live up to the standards it requires. You have also committed yourself to the service of justice,” George said.
The new recruits – 14 constables and 18 auxiliaries – completed a six months rigiour basic training programme and will now fill vacancies in the newly restarted community policing division which is intended to strengthen relations between the public and the Force.
Before a crowd of well wishers, Commissioner of Police Mark Collins congratulated the graduates and welcomed them to active duty.
“Let me offer heartfelt congratulations to all of you for the successful completion of what I know was a tough six months of training, early morning PT, late night drills and classes in between. I welcome you as you transition into the workplace where you are going to put now all of that training into practice.”
This is the sixth graduating class since the establishment of police training in the BVI.
The new recruits will also be part of the foot patrol squad to provide more police visibility on the streets.
Governor John Rankin commended the officers for completing the training programme even faced with difficult exercises.
“I know that the tasks you have had to master as part of your training have demanded much of you. Demanded much of you in terms of your physical skills, in terms of your mental skills, in terms of your ability to learn new things, in terms of your resilience at points of adversity in your training. But you have lasted the course.”
Constable Keimar Greene received the President’s Award for Excellence for Best Recruit, the Commissioner’s Award for Best Recruit and the DCP Award for Best All-Around Recruit was Constable Keimar Greene.
Auxilliary Ronesha Jackson was given the Commandant’s Award for Best Auxiliary and Highest Academic Achievement. Other awards were given to officers who excelled in the areas of academic excellence, integrity, perseverance, drills, leadership, discipline, evidence gathering, and physical fitness.
HLSS President Richard Georges told the group that the community expects every one of them to serve with decency and fairness.
“You are being placed today in positions of responsibility, position of leadership in your community and there will be placed upon you by this community the highest expectations of decency, of morality and of fairness.”
Police are urgently searching for the driver involved in a dramatic hit-and-run collision that left a female pedestrian injured after she was struck and flung into the air along the Dual Carriage Highway Thursday night.
According to the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF), the incident occurred shortly after 8:00 p.m. on February 19, 2026, in the vicinity of Delta Gas Station in Pasea Estate.
Preliminary reports indicate that the woman was crossing the eastbound lane of the roadway when she was struck by a vehicle traveling west to east. Although the driver reportedly attempted to brake, the vehicle was unable to avoid impact. The force of the collision sent the pedestrian airborne before she crashed onto the roadway.
In a troubling development, the vehicle did not stop. Instead, the driver fled the scene immediately after the collision, leaving the injured woman lying on the highway.
Emergency Medical Services responded swiftly and transported the victim to Dr. Orlando Smith Hospital for treatment. Her condition remains unknown at this time.
The RVIPF has launched an active investigation into the hit-and-run and is appealing to members of the public who may have witnessed the incident or have information that could help identify the vehicle or driver involved.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the RVIPF Intelligence Unit at 368-9339 or provide anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers at 800-8477 (TIPS).
Police say further updates will be provided as the investigation continues.
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, working alongside other law enforcement partners, intercepted a vessel and recovered a quantity of illegal narcotics during a joint operation last night, December 8, police said.
In a brief statement, the RVIPF confirmed that the operation resulted in the seizure of the drugs but did not disclose the type or quantity recovered. Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing and described it as dynamic, noting that additional information will be released as it becomes available.
Premier Hon. Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley criticised Governor Daniel Pruce’s appointment of Richard Ulger as interim acting police commissioner, saying the decision sidestepped the established process and failed to respect the advice of the Police Service Commission.
Speaking during a press conference on Friday, Nov. 21, Wheatley said the Police Service Commission had already submitted a recommendation for a substantive Police Commissioner and that this recommendation is expected to come before the National Security Council soon. The Governor’s decision, he argued, pre-empted that process and created unnecessary tension around a critical public-security appointment.
“In my view, it would have been better to conclude that process before appointing an interim acting commissioner,” Wheatley said. “The Police Service Commission has made a recommendation, and that recommendation should have been allowed to proceed.”
The Premier also noted that Acting Commissioner Jacqueline Vanterpool was returned to her substantive post of Deputy Commissioner after serving as Commissioner for one year. While acknowledging that Governor Pruce acted within his constitutional authority, Wheatley expressed concern about how the authority was used.
“Though the Governor is within his constitutional rights, I am concerned that the way his discretion has been exercised is not in keeping with the modern partnership that the United Kingdom has committed to,” he said. “The process has been poorly handled and does not reflect transparency, good governance, or sensitivity to the legitimate concerns of the people of the Virgin Islands.”
The decision follows a week of public demonstrations, during which residents peacefully protested what they viewed as political overreach. Wheatley said he and his colleagues in the House of Assembly supported the public’s right to assemble. “Persons exercised their democratic right to assemble and peacefully protest,” he said. “We respected and supported that right.”
Wheatley said he raised his concerns directly with Steven Doughty, the United Kingdom Minister for the Overseas Territories, during a call on Wednesday. He added that he has also been in ongoing dialogue with Governor Bruce through Cabinet and the National Security Council.
The Premier linked the controversy to a broader constitutional conversation in the Territory. “The handling of this matter underscores the importance of negotiating a constitution that provides greater democratic accountability to the people of the Virgin Islands,” he said. “This includes devolving more responsibility to the elected government, including responsibility for internal security.”
Wheatley is scheduled to depart the Territory on Friday for the Joint Ministerial Council meetings in London, which he will co-chair in his capacity as President of the Political Council of UK Overseas Territories. The JMC, hosted by Minister Doughty at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, is the highest-level annual forum for dialogue between Overseas Territory leaders and His Majesty’s Government.
This year’s meeting, he said, “forms part of a broader reset in the relationship between the United Kingdom and the Overseas Territories.” The UK Government is expected to introduce a proposed Charter on Engagement, outlining new principles for transparency, communication, and collaboration. Leaders will also discuss bilateral compacts, long-term frameworks designed to strengthen planning and clarify shared priorities between the UK and participating territories.
Throughout the week, Overseas Territory leaders are scheduled to take part in plenary sessions, technical workshops, and political engagements covering security, development, governance, and economic planning. As Chair of the UK Overseas Territories Association, the Virgin Islands will play a central role in shaping collective positions.
Wheatley said he intends to continue voicing the concerns of Virgin Islanders at every level of discussion. “I will continue to engage in respectful dialogue with the Minister for the Overseas Territories and the Governor as we remain steadfast in defense of the security of the people of the Virgin Islands and their democratic rights,” he said.
Governor’s Office Delivers Trauma Risk Management Training to Frontline Officers in Virgin Islands
Maya Marcellin Departs for Teen Universe International Pageant in Nicaragua
Andrea Wilson brings Caribbean colour to the NYFW debut
