The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force is set to unveil a new Community Policing-oriented strategy in January 2025, following the dismantling of its previous initiative.
This update emerged during recent Standing Finance Committee deliberations, where it was revealed that the once highly-regarded programme aimed at fostering trust between the police and residents had been stalled.
According to the Acting Commissioner of Police Jacquline Vanterpool, the new approach will identify all officers as Community Policing Officers within their respective districts. While details of the new strategy were not disclosed, the vision and objectives have already been established, with the relaunch expected to revitalize the relationship between law enforcement and the public.
Deputy Speaker Hon. Stacy Mather and Ninth District Representative Hon. Vincent Wheatley both inquired about the state of the initiative during the deliberations. Hon. Wheatley questioned why the former unit, described as highly active and effective, had been dismantled. In response, the Acting Commissioner confirmed that the unit had been temporarily dissolved until the January 2025 rollout. While the specific reasons behind its dismantling were not stated, resource constraints are widely considered to be a contributing factor.
The Community Policing programme has been lauded as a crucial tool in bridging the gap between law enforcement and the public, particularly in building trust and improving communication. Residents have expressed a sense of disconnect from the police in recent years, making the initiative’s anticipated return highly significant.