12 BVI Police Officers on Interdiction Amid Corruption Allegations, Some Arrested and Charged

The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has reinforced its commitment to addressing corruption within its ranks, Acting Commissioner of Police Jacqueline E. Vanterpool announced during a press conference held today, January 15,  at Police Headquarters.

In response to recommendations from a recent commission of inquiry, the RVIPF has fully staffed its Professional Standards Unit. The unit now comprises a chief inspector, an inspector, a sergeant, and two constables, tasked with handling public complaints about police misconduct.

“We have staffed the Professional Standards Unit with personnel dedicated to addressing complaints of corruption made by the public against police officers,” Acting Commissioner Vanterpool stated. “We ensure that these complaints are dealt with fairly and transparently. The public can rest assured that all corruption complaints are being addressed, and we will not tolerate any officer found to be corrupt remaining in this organisation.”

The Acting Commissioner revealed that there are currently 12 officers on interdiction, a step taken following allegations of corruption within the force. “Some have been arrested and charged, and are now before the court and are awaiting the outcome of the trials.” she explained.

Last week Police Constable Earlando Baynes, was charged following an internal investigation into a significant security breach. The breach, which occurred during a planned police operation in November 2024, involved the unauthorised disclosure of sensitive information. This jeopardised the operation’s success and raised serious concerns about law enforcement integrity. Following the investigation, Baynes was arrested and charged with Breach of Trust by a Public Officer.

Commissioner Vanterpool acknowledged past challenges with public confidence due to a lack of communication about how complaints were handled. To address this, the RVIPF has implemented measures to keep the public informed about the status and outcomes of complaints.

“Over the years, there were concerns that complaints were made, but the public wasn’t hearing what the police were doing about them,” she said. “We’ve now improved in this area, and we are informing the public about what has been done, what remains outstanding, and what our goals are in handling these cases.”

While admitting there have been missteps in the past, Commissioner Vanterpool emphasised that significant improvements have been made in addressing complaints effectively and efficiently.

“Going forward, the Professional Standards Unit will continue to ensure that all complaints go through the proper processes, with every step completed thoroughly,” she added.

The Acting Commissioner reiterated the RVIPF’s commitment to fairness and transparency in rooting out corruption and restoring public trust.