The Japanese Caribbean Supreme Court docket within the Excessive Court docket of Justice (Civil Division) has dealt a blow to United Kingdom–appointed Governor Daniel Pruce, granting an injunction that blocks the controversial vetting of cops within the British Virgin Islands till the court docket guidelines in any other case.
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Issued on Aug. 11 by Performing Justice Akilah Anderson, the order prevents the Commissioner of Police and the Police Providers Fee from initiating disciplinary or legal proceedings towards present members of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Drive (RVIPF) and Auxiliary Drive for failing to adjust to particular vetting necessities. These embody submitting prescribed vetting varieties, offering third-party consent for monetary disclosures, and updating beforehand submitted info in writing.
The short-term halt to sure provisions of the Police (Modification) Laws 2025 follows a authorized problem by Sean A. McCall, chairman of the Police Welfare Affiliation (PWA), who argues the method — launched by way of the 2024 and 2025 amendments — is “very intrusive” and infringes on officers’ rights beneath the Virgin Islands Structure Order, 2007.
The ruling additionally suspends enforcement of provisions permitting authorities to compel officers to appropriate deficiencies of their vetting varieties.
“This order impacts present members of the Royal Virgin Islands Police and doesn’t apply to such individuals as haven’t but made an utility … or whose functions … are at the moment pending,” the judgment acknowledged.
The court docket additional directed the governor to substantiate inside 14 days whether or not any vetting varieties or associated info have been despatched to an unbiased physique as outlined in Regulation 3(G)(1).
McCall’s authorized staff, led by King’s Counsel Terrence Williams and instructed by Chase Regulation, argues the brand new guidelines infringe on officers’ rights beneath the Virgin Islands Structure. The governor is represented by legal professional Remy Reichold.
The police vetting coverage has been a contentious difficulty in current months, with the PWA elevating considerations over privateness, procedural equity, and the breadth of data sought. The matter will now proceed to a full listening to on the legality of the amendments.
