Senior officials of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) have begun patrolling alongside officers as part of an effort to increase public engagement and reinforce community policing initiatives.

The initiative, which began in December 2024, was outlined Thursday during the RVIPF’s first press conference of the year. Acting Commissioner of Police Jacqueline Vanterpool said the effort is designed to create stronger connections between law enforcement and the public.

“While senior management may not be present daily, their scheduled participation reinforces our shared commitment to listening, understanding, and supporting the community,” Vanterpool said.

The patrols involve members of senior management, police constables, and auxiliary officers walking through communities, greeting residents, speaking with business owners, and engaging with tourists. The initiative aims to enhance police visibility and accessibility.

So far, the presence of senior officials in patrols has drawn positive reactions from community members, who have engaged in discussions with officers on various concerns. The effort is part of a broader push to strengthen relationships between law enforcement and the public.

The RVIPF has not set an end date for the initiative, stating that it will continue as part of the force’s commitment to maintaining public safety and fostering community partnerships.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is formally challenging the decision by Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards to dismiss breach of trust charges against former Education and Culture Minister, Hon. Myron V. Walwyn, and his former assistant secretary, Ms. Lorna Stevens. The charges stemmed from alleged mismanagement and budgetary improprieties in the construction of a perimeter wall at the Elmore Stoutt High School.

On January 21, Senior Magistrate Richards ruled that there was insufficient evidence to proceed with the case, effectively bringing an end to the prosecution’s arguments. However, just two days later, on January 23, the DPP filed an appeal, contending that the magistrate exceeded her jurisdiction, improperly rejected substantial evidence, and delivered an unreasonable decision.

The case against Mr. Walwyn and Ms. Stevens was rooted in the controversial construction project, initiated in December 2014 during Mr. Walwyn’s tenure. The project, aimed at building a perimeter wall around the high school, has been marred by allegations of mismanagement and public funds misuse.

According to a 2018 Auditor General report by Sonia Webster, the project suffered from budget overruns, contract splitting into over 70 work orders, and the use of unlicensed contractors. The report highlighted that over $1 million was spent, yet the wall remained incomplete. Ms. Webster’s findings prompted a police investigation in 2019.

Both Mr. Walwyn and Ms. Stevens were arrested and charged with breach of trust in October 2022. Prosecutors alleged that the duo failed to exercise proper oversight, leading to unnecessary expenditures and diminished value for taxpayer dollars.

In her January 21 ruling, Magistrate Richards found that the prosecution’s evidence was insufficient to establish a case against the defendants. Legal experts noted that the decision posed significant questions about the strength of the prosecution’s strategy.

The appeal filed by the DPP argues that the magistrate disregarded critical evidence that impacted the merits of the case. The filing also suggests that the dismissal was unreasonable given the severity of the allegations.

The Elmore Stoutt High School perimeter wall project has been a flashpoint of public criticism for years. During the 2021 Commission of Inquiry (COI), led by Sir Gary Hickinbottom, the project was described as “extraordinary” in its mismanagement. The COI report echoed concerns raised by Ms. Webster, particularly regarding the use of multiple unlicensed contractors and the resulting inefficiencies.

Sir Gary’s report noted that the project’s structure increased costs and complexity, further delaying its completion. He recommended that the police investigation continue without interference, emphasizing the need for accountability in public spending.

Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards has dismissed the case against former Education and Culture Minister Myron V. Walwyn and former assistant secretary Lorna Stevens, ruling there was no case to answer in the breach of trust charges brought by the Director of Public Prosecutions. The ruling, delivered today, January 21, followed a preliminary inquiry into allegations related to the controversial Elmore Stoutt High School perimeter wall project.

The decision effectively ends the prosecution’s case, with the Senior Magistrate finding insufficient evidence in the arguments presented. The dismissal brings to a close a chapter in the long-running investigation into the wall project, which has been the subject of public scrutiny for years.

The perimeter wall project, initiated in December 2014 under Mr. Walwyn’s tenure, has faced persistent criticism for budget overruns, alleged mismanagement, and a failure to deliver value for taxpayers. Despite more than $1 million spent, the project was never completed, as revealed in a 2018 report by Auditor General Sonia Webster.

Ms. Webster’s report highlighted significant concerns, including contract splitting into over 70 work orders and 15 petty contracts, many awarded to contractors without trade licenses. She concluded that the Ministry of Education and Culture failed to ensure proper oversight, resulting in overspending and poor value for public funds.

The findings of the Auditor General spurred a police investigation in March 2019. However, updates on the case were sparse until October 2022, when Ms. Stevens and Mr. Walwyn were arrested and charged. Ms. Stevens, who assisted with oversight of the project, was accused of breaching public trust.

The wall project was revisited in 2021 during the Commission of Inquiry (COI) led by Sir Gary Hickinbottom. In his April 2022 report, Sir Gary reiterated the concerns raised by Ms. Webster, labeling the project’s management as “extraordinary” and emphasizing the risks associated with the use of multiple unlicensed contractors. He recommended that the police investigation proceed without interference.

“The construction of a single wall involved 70 different contractors, the majority of whom had no constructor’s trade license, in circumstances which disregarded the increased costs and complexity,” Sir Gary wrote in his report. “This inevitably put at risk any desire to get the works completed at speed, as those involved, including [Mr. Walwyn], well knew.”

Senior Magistrate Richards’ findings signal a significant setback for the prosecution. Legal observers note that the court’s ruling raises questions about the strength of the evidence and the strategy employed in pursuing the charges.