Mapp Issues Executive Order Placing Peace Officers On Active Duty with V.I.P.D.

ST. CROIX — Governor Kenneth Mapp has issued an executive order under Title 23, Section 1005(a) calling on all executive branch peace officers to assist the Virgin Islands Police Department during the 2016-17 holiday season, Government House announced late Thursday. Above, police make their way through a j’ouvert morning crowd in St. Croix during the 2014-15 Crucian Christmas Festival.

According to the release, the executive order calls for all executive branch peace officers in the St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John District to be deputized as law enforcement officers of the Virgin Islands. The deputized officers in the St. Croix district will perform public safety functions in that district through 5:00 p.m. on January 8, 2017. The deputized officers the St. Thomas/St. John district will perform public safety functions in that district through 5:00 p.m. on January 2, 2017.

All peace officers in the St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John district will report to the commissioner of the Virgin Islands Police Department through the chief of police at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday December 27. Orders and assignments will be executed at that time.

The governor stated in his order that, “There is a need to increase police presence on the streets of our communities,” and cited a recent series of crimes in the territory that have resulted in death and injury.

The peace officers will provide additional manpower to the V.I.P.D. to ensure the safety and well-being of all that are participating in the festivities in St. Croix and the holidays on St.Thomas/St.John.