The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has launched a three-week Community Policing Training initiative aimed at improving how officers interact with residents, enhancing trust, and preventing crime. The training, organized in one-week cohorts, began its first session on Monday, Aug. 11, and is led by experts from The Officium Training Limited of Trinidad and Tobago.

Acting Commissioner of Police Jacqueline Vanterpool said the program reflects her vision that policing is not only about enforcement but also about building meaningful relationships with the community. “Effective policing is about presence, engagement, and trust,” Vanterpool said. “Residents must know their officers not only during crises but as visible, approachable, and proactive partners in community safety.”

The training equips officers with practical tools to turn routine encounters into trust-building opportunities, identify emerging issues before they escalate, and engage meaningfully with residents to solve problems rather than just write reports. Officers are encouraged to view interactions at shops, schools, or community gatherings as vital to intelligence gathering, crime prevention, and fostering confidence in law enforcement.

Vanterpool emphasized that true community safety is achieved when police are integrated into the social fabric of neighborhoods, noting that “the hand that arrests must first be the hand that helps.” The RVIPF has committed resources, leadership support, and policy guidance to ensure the success of this cultural transformation, with the ultimate goal being lasting trust between officers and residents.

The multi-week program represents a key step in RVIPF’s ongoing efforts to strengthen community partnerships, implement proactive policing strategies, and redefine the role of law enforcement in the Virgin Islands.