Governor Daniel Pruce announced that he has rejected the recommendation submitted by the Police Service Commission (PSC) for the appointment of a new Commissioner of Police for the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF), citing insufficient evidence to support the decision and ordering a new recruitment process. The announcement was made during a May 7 press conference at Government House in Road Town.

Mr. Pruce said the recommendation, submitted last autumn, had undergone months of review and consultation involving the Police Service Commission, the National Security Council, the Office of the Deputy Governor and the Human Resources Department before he decided not to approve it.

“For such an important public appointment, I didn’t have sufficient evidence base to enable me to take that decision,” Mr. Pruce said during the press conference.

He said appointing a police commissioner would be “the most important appointment” he makes as governor and stressed that the decision must meet constitutional standards and withstand public scrutiny.

Interim Acting Commissioner Richard Ullger will remain in the position while the new recruitment process begins, Mr. Pruce said, adding that the process could take about six months to complete.

The decision comes amid continuing public debate over the leadership of the police force and the governor’s handling of the appointment process. The controversy intensified in recent months after Acting Commissioner Jacqueline Vanterpool, who had served in the role for more than a year, was returned to her substantive post as Deputy Commissioner. Critics accused the Governor of disregarding recommendations made by the PSC and favouring externally recruited leadership candidates.

The appointment process has faced scrutiny since 2024, when the governor halted an earlier recruitment exercise, arguing that evolving security concerns and recommendations from a law enforcement review required a revised approach to selecting the next commissioner.

Questions surrounding the Police Service Commission’s role have also surfaced publicly. Reports from local media outlets indicated disagreements between the commission and the governor regarding leadership decisions within the police force, including extensions granted to senior officers and the appointment of interim leadership.

During Thursday’s press conference, Mr. Pruce defended his decision and rejected suggestions that he had dismissed the commission’s recommendation “out of hand.”

“The recommendation was made in November,” he said. “It’s been a subject of consideration and discussion and exchanges from the start of this year through to where we are now.”

Mr. Pruce also provided updates on broader security matters, including the start of the police vetting process following the completion of data-sharing agreements between local agencies and the vetting unit. He said the United Kingdom continues to support law enforcement efforts in the Virgin Islands through funding, staffing support and prison reform initiatives.

The governor reported that overall crime in the territory had declined by 22 percent compared with the same period last year, though he noted continuing concerns about domestic violence and sexual abuse cases.

Mr. Pruce said the United Kingdom remained open to discussions regarding proposed constitutional reforms following a recent visit to the territory by Robbie Bullock, Director for Overseas Territories at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Chief Inspector Adrianne Grant-Davis was named winner of the Leader of the Future Award 2026 at the British Overseas Territories Women in Policing Awards, officials announced.

Deputy Governor David Archer Jr. presented the award in the presence of Acting Commissioner of Police and members of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF), including senior leadership, officers and staff.

The awards are supported by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Women in Policing Network. They recognize female officers and allies across the Overseas Territories for contributions to leadership, change and innovation in policing.

The Leader of the Future Award recognizes emerging leaders making an impact within the policing community. Recipients are selected through a nomination process and reviewed by an independent panel.

In a statement, the RVIPF said the recognition reflects Grant-Davis’s contributions within the organization and the wider community.

The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force has confirmed that Tarik Aaron was arrested shortly before midnight on Friday, April 17,  on extradition orders issued by authorities in the United States Virgin Islands, and has since appeared before the Magistrate’s Court.

According to police, the arrest was carried out in connection with a request from USVI authorities, though further details have not been disclosed.

Further updates are expected as more information becomes available.