TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands, CMC – The Governor of this British overseas territory, Governor Daniel Pruce, has sought to reassure the public that he is not hand-picking the next Commissioner of Police. He made the statement in the wake of long-standing suspicions that the Governor’s Office controls the top policing role.
Speaking during a press conference yesterday, Pruce said the recruitment process is entirely managed by the Police Service Commission, with his involvement limited to the very final stage.
“The process, as you know, was launched some months ago… the Police Service Commission manages the selection process itself. My role in this process comes at the very end,” the Governor said.
He added that once the Commission completes its recruitment exercise and submits its recommendation to the National Security Council (NSC), the council will then advise him, and only then will he formally make the appointment.
“I know nothing at all about [the process] and again it’s to ensure that I can exercise my role at the end of the process without any compromise or conflict.”
The skepticism stems from the fact that for decades, the post of Commissioner of Police has almost always gone to UK nationals, a trend residents believe reflects the Governor’s heavy hand in the process.
As the Governor is also a UK citizen, critics argue the system has perpetuated colonial influence in the territory’s most powerful security office.
Meanwhile, the public is hoping that the post of commissioner could go to Acting Commissioner Jacqueline E. Vanterpool, the first Virgin Islander woman to serve in the role.
According to BVI news online, community advocates argue that her leadership would mark a historic shift, breaking the decades-long pattern of UK appointees and restoring public confidence in the force.
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