Dozens gathered outside the Governor’s Office in Road Town on Monday, November 11, to protest the removal of Acting Police Commissioner Jacqueline Vanterpool, in a rare public show of unity that drew both government and opposition members to the same cause.
Premier and Minister of Finance Hon. Natalio D. Wheatley was joined by Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports Hon. Sharie de Castro; Minister for Health and Social Development Hon. Vincent O. Wheatley; Deputy Speaker of the House and District One Representative Hon. Karl Dawson; Junior Minister for Financial Services and Economic Development Hon. Lorna Smith; Junior Minister for Tourism and Culture Hon. Luce Hodge-Smith; Opposition Leader and District Six Representative Hon. Myron V. Walwyn; Opposition Members District Two Representative Hon. Mitch Turnbull; Territorial At-Large Representative Hon. Stacy Mather; and District Eight Representative Hon. Marlon Penn. The group stood together to oppose Governor Daniel Pruce’s decision to replace Vanterpool with a United Kingdom national.
Among others present who addressed the gathering were Aaron Parillon, a representative of the Virgin Islands Communal Association (VICA); Kyle Ricketts; and former legislator Dr. Kedrick Pickering.
The protest came after Governor Pruce announced that former Royal Gibraltar Police Commissioner Richard Ullger would assume the role of interim acting commissioner on Nov. 18, following the end of Vanterpool’s tenure. Vanterpool, who served in the post for more than a year, will return to her previous position as deputy commissioner.
Speaking at the protest, Premier Wheatley accused the Governor of undermining local leadership and described the move as part of a broader pattern of disregard for Virgin Islanders.
“Yes to democracy, no to dictatorship,” Wheatley said, as the crowd echoed his words. “We are here on behalf of our sister, Jackie Vanterpool. Jackie has been disrespected, disregarded, and ignored. The people of the Virgin Islands are saying no — no to disrespect, no to dictatorship, no to disregard.”
The Premier called on the Governor to reconsider the decision, asserting that Vanterpool’s record and local experience made her the right candidate for the role.
“Jackie applied for the post. Mr. Ullger did not,” Wheatley said. “She was born right here in the Virgin Islands. She came up in the force from the beginning, from the bottom. Mr. Ullger knows nothing about the Virgin Islands. How can a daughter of this soil be disregarded like she is nothing? Jackie is somebody.”
Governor Pruce, in a statement issued Nov. 6, defended the appointment, saying the selection process adhered to constitutional procedure and emphasized the need for “transparency and stability within the force.” He added that Ullger’s appointment was designed to “ensure continuity” while recruitment continues for a permanent commissioner.
The Governor also thanked Vanterpool for her “service as acting commissioner over the past twelve months” and noted that the interim role would be funded by the United Kingdom to relieve resourcing pressures within the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force.
At Monday’s protest, Premier Wheatley warned that the decision could signal wider attempts by the UK to assume control of local institutions, referencing the possibility of external oversight of Customs and Immigration.
“The United Kingdom wants to take over Customs. They want to take over Immigration,” he said. “Enough is enough. If the people of the Virgin Islands do not stand up, this territory will be taken from right under our feet.”
The demonstration concluded peacefully, with organizers pledging to continue pressing for local leadership and accountability in the selection of the next Police Commissioner.
Vanterpool, the first Virgin Islander woman to act as Police Commissioner, has not made a public statement on her removal.
