Governor Albert Bryan Jr. has appointed Lieutenant Deborah Hodge as the Chief of Police for the Virgin Islands Police Department St. Thomas-St. John District, making her the first woman in the territory's history to hold this position. 

This historic announcement aligns with the closing of Virgin Islands History Month and Women’s History Month, emphasizing the significance of her appointment as a step towards breaking barriers. 

“Lieutenant Hodge is a dedicated and proven leader,” Governor Bryan stated, adding, “Chief Hodge has broken a barrier…and this is a moment to celebrate her achievements and to recognize how far we’ve come as a community." Governor Bryan

Will The BVI Follow Suit

Jacqueline Vanterpool, Ag COP, has been holding the acting position for the past six (6) months. Her short tenure has yielded an overwhelming number of successes in fighting crime, and raising the morale across the RVIPF. 

The Governor HE Daniel Pruce has lauded her performance, as prominent persons and advocates call for her confirmation to the position. Vanterpool would be the first female assigned to the Commissioner of Police position.