The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has launched a three-week Community Policing Training initiative aimed at transforming how officers engage with the community, enhancing trust, and proactively preventing crime. The training will run in one-week cohorts, with the first cohort commencing on Monday, 11th August.

The program, led by distinguished experts from The Officium Training Limited of Trinidad and Tobago, embodies Acting Commissioner of Police Mrs. Jacqueline Vanterpool’s strategic vision that policing is not solely about enforcement but about building meaningful relationships with the communities served.

“Effective policing is about presence, engagement, and trust,” said Acting Commissioner Vanterpool. “Residents must know their officers not only during crises but as visible, approachable, and proactive partners in community safety.”

The training equips officers with practical tools to:

• Turn routine encounters into trust-building opportunities

• Identify emerging issues before they escalate into crises

• Engage meaningfully with residents to solve problems, not just write reports

Officers were encouraged to view everyday interactions, whether at local shops, schools, or community gatherings, as integral to intelligence gathering, crime prevention, and fostering confidence in law enforcement.

True community safety is achieved when police are woven into the social fabric of neighbourhoods, and this training emphasizes that the hand that arrests must first be the hand that helps.

The RVIPF is committed to providing the resources, leadership support, and policy framework necessary for this cultural transformation. Acting Commissioner Vanterpool emphasized that success ultimately depends on officers embracing community engagement as a core part of their work and building lasting trust with residents.

This multi-week training marks a significant step in the RVIPF’s ongoing efforts to enhance proactive policing strategies, strengthen community partnerships, and redefining what it means to protect and serve in the Virgin Islands.