“The Airport Police, which will be introduced shortly, will provide a better-structured environment and enhance security at our airports,” Premier Andrew Fahie said during his budget address in the House of Assembly recently.

The BVI Airports Authority (BVIAA) is now soliciting applications from suitably qualified individuals for the positions of Airport Constable, Airport Superintendent and Airport Inspector.

As part of the screening process, eligible applicants will be required to pass a drug screening and polygraph test prior to employment. According to a job notice from the BVIAA, successful applicants will also be subject to random drug and polygraph tests throughout the length of their employment.

Policing at the territory’s main airport on Beef Island

BVI News understands that, in the past, there were police officers assigned and stationed at the TB Lettsome International Airport. However, this is no longer the case.

Insider airport sources told our news centre that a senior police officer from the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) is currently occupying office space at the said airport but ‘only as a formality in case there is a need for immediate police intervention’.

BVI News further understands that members of the RVIPF make occasional visits to the Beef Island-based airport to conduct random baggage checks and to ensure that ‘things are in order’.

That airport falls under the jurisdiction of the East End Police Station which also conducts daily patrols.

The security arrangements at the airports on Virgin Gorda and Anegada are not immediately clear to BVI News. Our news centre was, however, told that there are roughly 15 security officers currently employed at the TB Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island.