VIPD Officers Stage Sick-Out on St. Croix Over Unsafe Vehicles and Equipment Shortages

Residents of St. Croix were urged to remain cautious this weekend after reports surfaced on social media that officers of the V.I. Police Department had staged a sick-out in protest of poor working conditions. Concerns centered on vehicles in unsafe condition and other equipment issues that officers said hindered their ability to carry out duties. The VIPD was slow to respond to the public concern, with most of Saturday passing without an official statement. As of 7:20 p.m., no press release had been issued. However, St. Croix Chief of Police Uston Cornelius later confirmed the situation in comments to the Consortium, providing details about the sick-out and the department’s response. “Yes, we had some concerns from the men and women in blue,” Cornelius acknowledged. “Yes, we are taking steps to try and address some of the issues or concern that the officers brought forward… Yes, we had some individuals that were scheduled to come in, and apparently, it seems to be many of them that ...