United States Virgin Islands Police Department

United States Virgin Islands Police Department
Police Department of the United States Virgin Islands
Virgin Islands Police patch, introduced in 2020
Great Seal, adopted in 2003
Flag of the VIPD
Common nameVirgin Islands Police Department
AbbreviationVIPD
Agency overview
Formed1955
Jurisdictional structure
Legal jurisdictionUnited States Virgin Islands
Operational structure
HeadquartersAlexander Farrelly Criminal Justice Center
Agency executives
  • Mario Brooks, Commissioner
  • Sean Santos, Assistant Commissioner
  • Uston Cornelius, St. Croix Chief of Police
  • Naomi Joseph, St. Croix Deputy Chief of Police
  • Deborah L. Hodge, St. Thomas-St. John Chief of Police
  • Rael Donastorg, St. Thomas/Water Island Deputy Chief of Police
Website
vipd.vi.gov

The United States Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD), officially the Police Department of the United States Virgin Islands, is the law enforcement agency for the U.S. Virgin Islands, and has jurisdiction anywhere in the territory. It is commanded by a commissioner, who is subject to the authority of the governor.[1]

The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force is responsible for policing the British Virgin Islands.

History

Under the 1936 Organic Act of the Virgin Islands,[2] law enforcement was divided between the municipality of St. Thomas and St. John and the municipality of St. Croix, each of which had a separate Police and Prison Department.[3]

In 1954, revisions were made to the Organic Act that required that the municipal departments be reorganized as part of a territorial executive branch.[3]

The current Virgin Islands Police Department traces its origin to the establishment of the Department of Public Safety, which contained a Police Division, on July 21, 1955.[4]

In 1981, the department adopted a new patch,[5] which was used until November 2020 when a new one was introduced.[6] The department was renamed the U.S. Virgin Islands Police Department in 1985.[4] In 2003, the department adopted a seal, which is also featured on its flag.[5]

In December 2025, the United States Department of Justice sued the Virgin Islands for "unconstitutional" practices regarding gun rights.[7]

Line of duty deaths

The VIPD has lost 15 officers since founding.[8]

Detective Delberth Phipps, Jr. - July 4, 2023

Police Officer Colvin Terrance Georges, Sr. - September 29, 2012

Police Officer Akeem Basil "Teddy" Newton - January 20, 2008

Police Officer Ariel Anton Frett - February 8, 2007

Police Officer Cuthbert Ezekiel Chapman - April 26, 2004

Police Officer Steven Alexis Hodge - March 27, 1994

Police Officer Dexter L. Mardenborough - January 27, 1991

Police Officer Richard Nicolas Callwood - December 29, 1980

Patrolman Wilbur Horatio Francis - July 30, 1977

Patrolman Patrick Emmanuel Sweeney, Sr. - October 27, 1975

Patrolman Allan Williams - October 29, 1971

Patrolman Rudel Albert Parrott - July 1, 1971

Patrolman Leroy Alvaro Swan - February 26, 1965

Patrolman Leopold Emanuel Fredericks, Jr. - August 28, 1963

Patrolman Lionel Emanuel Isaac - May 18, 1948

Fleet

VIPD officers in 2012
Ford Police Interceptor Utility in VIPD service
Old VIPD patch, used from 1981 to 2020.

The VIPD operates a variety of vehicles, including cars and SUVs.[9] In 2018 it acquired a fleet of Segways and electric cars for patrolling downtown areas of St. Thomas.[10]

References

  1. ^ "V.I. Code tit. 23, § 2 (2019)". Virgin Islands Code. 2019. Retrieved 2023-05-14.
  2. ^ Elton Lewis. "Looking Back: A Simpler, More Respectful Time". St. John Tradewinds News. Retrieved 2023-05-14.
  3. ^ a b Greenberg, Martin Alan (2014). American Volunteer Police: Mobilizing for Security. CRC Press. p. 166. ISBN 978-1-4822-3254-7.
  4. ^ a b "History". United States Virgin Islands Police Department. Retrieved 2023-05-14.
  5. ^ a b "Flag, Seal & Patch". U.S. Virgin Islands: U.S. Virgin Islands Police Department. 2010. Archived from the original on November 13, 2010.
  6. ^ "New Uniform Reveal". U.S. Virgin Islands: U.S. Virgin Islands Police Department. November 19, 2020.
  7. ^ Ward, Jasper; Lynch, Sarah N. (17 December 2025). "US Justice Department sues Virgin Islands over 'unconstitutional' gun rights practices". Reuters. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  8. ^ "Virgin Islands Police Department, VI". The Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP). Retrieved 2025-03-28.
  9. ^ "VIPD Is a Big Step Closer To Having Vehicles It Needs". Virgin Islands Source. 2005-09-10. Retrieved 2023-05-14.
  10. ^ Brian O'Connor (2017-03-17). "VIPD debuts new downtown vehicles". Virgin Islands Daily News. Retrieved 2023-05-14.
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