Premier to bring top-cop petition to UK meetings

The cry of “Justice for Jackie!” rang out across the streets of Road Town on Friday, Nov. 14, as protestors voiced their anger at the demotion of Jacqueline Vanterpool from the role of acting police commissioner.

Now, Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley is planning to take their concerns to the United Kingdom next week.

The Nov. 14 chants reached a crescendo when Ms. Vanterpool, who was moved back to her substantive role of deputy police commissioner this week, came out of the Police Headquarters to wave at the crowd of about 70 people demonstrating against Governor Daniel Pruce’s decision to remove her from the acting post.

The premier and Opposition Leader Myron Walwyn joined other members of the House of Assembly in the protest, which marched from Road Town Police Station to submit a petition at Government House as a mobile sound system blared out the Bob Marley freedom anthem “Get Up, Stand Up.”

Songs written in praise of Ms. Vanterpool were also part of the soundtrack to the demonstration as protestors waved signs touting her record and denouncing her “unjust removal.”

“Racism, sexism & Daniel Pruce must go!” declared a placard carried by former Speaker of the House Julian Willock. “We stand with Jackie!”

Petition to the UK

Protest organiser John Cline said this week that 330 people signed a petition supporting Ms. Vanterpool for the role of police commissioner.

He added that the premier plans to take a copy of it to show British ministers next week at the annual Joint Ministerial Council meeting of overseas territory leaders in London.

The premier has insisted that Mr. Pruce must reconsider his “disrespectful” decision to demote Ms. Vanterpool and replace her as acting police commissioner with Richard Ullger, a former head of the Gibraltar police force.

Mr. Wheatley said it is wrong to “parachute white males” from abroad into the senior positions on the police force.

No comment

When approached by the Beacon as she waved at the demonstrators on Nov. 14, Ms. Vanterpool said she could not comment publicly on the controversy.

But she has previously weighed in by posting on the police Facebook page, describing the governor’s decision as “unfortunate” and insisting she is qualified and experienced enough to head the police force.

Guv stands firm

The governor, however, has made it clear that he will not bow to public pressure on the issue.

Ahead of the march on Nov. 14, he used an address on social media to defend his actions.

“Claims that my decision is rooted in racism or sexism are completely false,” he said.

Despite praising Ms. Vanterpool’s performance while she was acting head of the force, the governor made it clear they had clashed at times.

“We have not always agreed on everything,” he said. “And there have been times when I have judged it was my duty to raise concerns about her performance.”

Mr. Pruce, however, said it would be “inappropriate” to go into the details about those disagreements.

The governor reiterated that he had not nominated Mr. Ullger to be the new permanent commissioner, but rather to act in the role from Tuesday of this week until a permanent commissioner is appointed.

Asked for comment, a Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson told the Beacon, “We have nothing further to add to the Governor’s Office response regarding the acting police commissioner.”