V.I. Police Department Commissioner James McCall is considering several candidates for the position of VIPD St. John Deputy Police Chief.
The island of St. John has not had a deputy police chief since former Deputy Police Chief Angelo Hill was removed from his position earlier this year.
Hill has been seen at the Leander Jurgen Command since his removal as deputy police chief, but it is not known if he continues to work as a police officer.
McCall, who confirmed Sgt. Hill’s removal at a March 5 hearing of the V.I. Senate’s Committee on Public Safety, Homeland Security and Justice at the St. John Legislature, at that time explained the VIPD’s manpower resources must be examined before a new De-puty Police Chief is chosen.
“Hill has been removed and has not been replaced,” McCall testified at the hearing. “We have to evaluate our manpower situation before making a determination.”
St. Thomas-St. John District Chief Milton Petersen, is providing leadership for St. John police officers until a St. John Deputy Police Chief is named, according to VIPD spokesperson Shawna Richards.
“We do have a chief in place – a district chief for St. Thomas, St. John and Water Island, and that is Milton Petersen,” she said. “The current structure calls for a district chief.”
Governor John deJongh restructured the organization of VIPD leadership, eliminating the position of territorial chief in favor of two district chiefs.
St. John Resident
The position of deputy police chief should be filled by a St. John resident, McCall testified at the March 5 senate hearing on the island.
“On a 24-hour basis, St. John must have an individual in that capacity on island,” said the police commissioner. “This commuting thing is not going to work.”
McCall is currently reviewing potential candidates to fill the position, according to Government House spokes-person John Greaux.
“A St. John deputy police chief is going to be named,” said Greaux. “The process is taking place as we speak with the police commissioner. There are several candidates in consideration.”
Greaux would not elaborate on who the potential candidates are, or when a St. John Deputy Police Chief would be named.