The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court has ordered a temporary halt to certain provisions of the Police (Amendment) Regulations, 2025, following a legal challenge by Sean McCall, chairman of the Police Welfare Association (PWA), against Governor Daniel Pruce.
The injunction, issued Aug. 11 by Justice Akilah Anderson (Ag.), prevents the Commissioner of Police and the Police Service Commission from initiating disciplinary or criminal proceedings against current members of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) and Auxiliary Force for failing to comply with specific vetting requirements. These include submitting prescribed vetting forms, third-party consent forms for financial disclosures, and written updates on changes to previously submitted information.
The order stems from an application filed June 2, with hearings held June 12 and July 16. The PWA contends the vetting process, introduced through the 2024 and 2025 amendments, is unconstitutional and infringes on officers’ rights under the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007. McCall has said the process demands extensive personal and financial information from officers and their associates, which he described as “intrusive.”
The association also argues that the regulations place the Governor in a potential conflict of interest by assigning him roles as both investigator and appellate decision-maker. Additionally, it noted that the Data Protection Act is not fully operational because no Information Commissioner has been appointed and the office lacks funding.
Acting Commissioner of Police Jacqueline Vanterpool has previously stated the RVIPF supports vetting as a necessary measure but acknowledged that officers are “not at a place of comfort” with the depth of information required.
Under the court’s order, the government must confirm within 14 days whether any vetting information has been forwarded to independent bodies as outlined in the regulations. The parties have 21 days to submit written arguments on costs.
