Beautiful Virgin Islands

Friday, Oct 24, 2025

Female police officers charged to ‘maintain positive work ethics’

Female police officers charged to ‘maintain positive work ethics’

On the occasion of the 55th Anniversary of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF), special emphasis is being placed on recognising the contingent of women who make up the male-dominated force.

During a gala event in their honour, the female police officers in the RVIPF were charged to maintain positive work ethics at all times.

The all-black themed event was held on Tuesday, October 11, 2022, at Manhattan Lounge at Slaney Point, Tortola, where they were treated to a three-course meal, live entertainment by the Female Division of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service Band, special awards and a keynote address by Superintendent of Police of the Barbados Police Service, Ms Christine Stanford.

'Examples of power & courage'


The theme was ‘Time of reflecting, re-strategising & re-positioning for 21st Century’.

In her address, Ms Standford quoted an unknown author saying, “Not all women are created equal, the best become police officers,” as she charged them to be confident, to continuously improve their knowledge, skills and to maintain a positive work ethic.

“I encourage you to be mindful that the latter half of the last Century and continuing, women worldwide have stood up as examples of power and courage alongside their male counterparts. This has been significant in leadership roles and moreover, in previously titled non-traditional roles or male-dominated career fields.”

According to Stanford, this must continue as it is important that women police remain above reproach in their conduct and set examples of integrity for all in the force, both males and especially females.

“There is still much to be done as women emerge and maintain positive role model influence, overcoming challenges, achieving and maintaining parity with men, while displaying the highest standards of conduct.”

She alluded to the fact that the RVIPF, like any modern law enforcement entity, has an enormous responsibility, especially given the range of national security challenges faced today.

The keynote address at the RVIPF gala event was given by Superintendent of Police of the Barbados Police Service, Ms Christine Stanford.


Accomplishments of women in RVIPF


The women of the RVIPF heard that women have been represented at every level of the force in the Virgin Islands.

It started in 1966 when Ms Eileen L. Baronville became the first enlisted female. She served for 34 years and retired as Inspector of Police.

In 2012 Woman Inspector Paula Alleyne became the first female Chief Inspector and is presently Acting Detective Superintendent of Police.

“Females throughout the force have continued to emerge to high heights and in 2016 the proverbial glass ceiling in the organisation was broken when Woman Inspector Jacqueline Vanterpool was appointed as the first female Superintendent of Police and presently Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police.”

She insisted, “Ladies, if you want to achieve success without hard work, without improving knowledge of the job, the only other way would be to cut corners and subject yourself to favours and the fancies of those who you consider to have your future in their hands. Instead, I wish to strongly encourage you to plan carefully in all areas, particularly family life. Family can get in the way if you don’t plan properly, especially if you want to make policing a career. I usually recommend having a plan A and plan B.”

Don't make excuses of being female- Sanford


Alluding to the fact that in most cases women of today carry the burden of their families and are most times seen as the weaker of the sexes, Ms Stanford said, “Because you are a female, you sometimes expect to be treated differently or you use the female “excuse” to get out of doing a particular task. When you are told to do something you are not in favour of, particularly if told it by a senior female officer, you turn to a male officer with the hope of getting that male officer on your side, causing the female officer to be seen as draconian. This does not bode well for you.”

They were urged to support, encourage, respect and congratulate each other all the time while bearing in mind that there will always be good and bad days.

There are more than 80 female officers in the RVIPF.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Porsche Reverses EV Strategy as New CEO Bets on Petrol and Hybrids
Singapore’s Prime Minister Warns of ‘Messy’ Transition to Post-American Global Order
Andreessen Horowitz Sets Sights on Ten-Billion-Dollar Fund for Tech Surge
US Administration Under President Donald Trump Reportedly Lifts Ban on Ukraine’s Use of Storm Shadow Missiles Against Russia
‘Frightening’ First Night in Prison for Sarkozy: Inmates Riot and Shout ‘Little Nicolas’
White House Announces No Imminent Summit Between Trump and Putin
US and Qatar Warn EU of Trade and Energy Risks from Tough Climate Regulation
Apple Challenges EU Digital Markets Act Crackdown in Landmark Court Battle
Nicolas Sarkozy begins five-year prison term at La Santé in Paris
Japan stocks surge to record as Sanae Takaichi becomes Prime Minister
This Is How the 'Heist of the Century' Was Carried Out at the Louvre in Seven Minutes: France Humiliated as Crown with 2,000 Diamonds Vanishes
China Warns UK of ‘Consequences’ After Delay to London Embassy Approval
France’s Wealthy Shift Billions to Luxembourg and Switzerland Amid Tax and Political Turmoil
"Sniper Position": Observation Post Targeting 'Air Force One' Found Before Trump’s Arrival in Florida
Shouting Match at the White House: 'Trump Cursed, Threw Maps, and Told Zelensky – "Putin Will Destroy You"'
Windows’ Own ‘Siri’ Has Arrived: You Can Now Talk to Your Computer
Thailand and Singapore Investigate Cambodian-Based Prince Group as U.S. and U.K. Sanctions Unfold
‘No Kings’ Protests Inflate Numbers — But History Shows Nations Collapse Without Strong Executive Power
Chinese Tech Giants Halt Stablecoin Launches After Beijing’s Regulatory Intervention
Manhattan Jury Holds BNP Paribas Liable for Enabling Sudanese Government Abuses
Trump Orders Immediate Release of Former Congressman George Santos After Commuting Prison Sentence
S&P Downgrades France’s Credit Rating, Citing Soaring Debt and Political Instability
Ofcom Rules BBC’s Gaza Documentary ‘Materially Misleading’ Over Narrator’s Hamas Ties
Diane Keaton’s Cause of Death Revealed as Pneumonia, Family Confirms
Former Lostprophets Frontman Ian Watkins Stabbed to Death in British Prison
"The Tsunami Is Coming, and It’s Massive": The World’s Richest Man Unveils a New AI Vision
Outsider, Heroine, Trailblazer: Diane Keaton Was Always a Little Strange — and Forever One of a Kind
Dramatic Development in the Death of 'Mango' Founder: Billionaire's Son Suspected of Murder
Two Years of Darkness: The Harrowing Testimonies of Israeli Hostages Emerging From Gaza Captivity
EU Moves to Use Frozen Russian Assets to Buy U.S. Weapons for Ukraine
Europe Emerges as the Biggest Casualty in U.S.-China Rare Earth Rivalry
HSBC Confronts Strategic Crossroads as NAB Seeks Only Retail Arm in Australia Exit
U.S. Chamber Sues Trump Over $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee
Shenzhen Expo Spotlights China’s Quantum Step in Semiconductor Self-Reliance
China Accelerates to the Forefront in Global Nuclear Fusion Race
Yachts, Private Jets, and a Picasso Painting: Exposed as 'One of the Largest Frauds in History'
Australia’s Wedgetail Spies Aid NATO Response as Russian MiGs Breach Estonian Airspace
McGowan Urges Chalmers to Cut Spending Over Tax Hike to Close $20 Billion Budget Gap
Victoria Orders Review of Transgender Prison Placement Amid Safety Concerns for Female Inmates
U.S. Treasury Mobilises New $20 Billion Debt Facility to Stabilise Argentina
French Business Leaders Decry Budget as Macron’s Pro-Enterprise Promise Undermined
Trump Claims Modi Pledged India Would End Russian Oil Imports Amid U.S. Tariff Pressure
Surging AI Startup Valuations Fuel Bubble Concerns Among Top Investors
Australian Punter Archie Wilson Tears Up During Nebraska Press Conference, Sparking Conversation on Male Vulnerability
Australia Confirms U.S. Access to Upgraded Submarine Shipyard Under AUKUS Deal
“Firepower” Promised for Ukraine as NATO Ministers Meet — But U.S. Tomahawks Remain Undecided
Brands Confront New Dilemma as Extremists Adopt Fashion Labels
The Sydney Sweeney and Jeans Storm: “The Outcome Surpassed Our Wildest Dreams”
Erika Kirk Delivers Moving Tribute at White House as Trump Awards Charlie Presidential Medal of Freedom
British Food Influencer ‘Big John’ Detained in Australia After Visa Dispute
×