Thirty-One St. Thomas Police Officers Receive Rank Promotions; Mapp Repeats Pledge To Hire 100 Additional Officers

ST. THOMAS — Thirty-one additional members of the Virgin Islands Police Department stood proudly before their families, friends, and peers as they were promoted to supervisory ranks on Tuesday, in a ceremony held at the University of the Virgin Islands Sports and Fitness Center on St Thomas. The 29 officers, detectives, and corporals promoted to the rank of sergeant; and two lieutenants promoted to the rank of captain were sworn in by the Superior Chief Justice, Hon. Rhys S. Hodge.

“Action, or the lack thereof will determine your strength as leaders,” said Jason Marsh, the acting chief for the St. Thomas-St John district, as he charged the newly promoted with the responsibility to lead and guide those under their supervision.

In referencing the requirements set forth by the federal consent decree, Police Commissioner Delroy Richards told the officers that they have an important role to play as the department seeks to satisfy those mandates. “We can now see the light at the end of the tunnel,” said Mr. Richards. “Advancement comes with increased responsibility. I expect your leadership qualities to be applied to those under your command.”

At the ceremony, Governor Kenneth Mapp repeated the pledge that he made during a similar police promotion ceremony—held on St Croix on Monday—stating that the Police Department will add another 100 officers to the force over the next 12 months.  Mr. Mapp said the intent is to relieve stressors that officers now face in working as many as 60 to 80 hours per week to adequately secure their communities. “The investment [is] being made to train officers off-island in advanced crime fighting methods and technologies, some of which will be evident in the near future,” said the governor.

Also in attendance at the ceremony were Lt. Governor Osbert Potter, Assistant Commissioner of Police Curtis Griffin, and St. Croix District Chief Winsbut McFarlande.

Promoted to the rank of captain: Rosalyn Jarvis and Sandra Colbourne.

Promoted to the rank of sergeant: Neal Bailey, Ludrick Thomas, and Bernard Burke.

Promoted to the rank of sergeant: Rael Donastorg, Lorne Clarke, Sofia Rachid, Gregory Coward, Cornel Esprit, Sherrill Brunn, Dwight Griffith, Steven Phillip, Maha Hamdam, and Denley Williams.

Promoted to the rank of sergeant: Steven D. Payne, Chadka Meyers, Kim Hoheb, Thompson Alexander, Alphonso Boyce, Bruce Taylor, Mark Thomas, Rosanna Jean-Baptiste, Arleen Greaux, Aaron Hodge, Sr., Roy Chesterfield, Joycelyn Lee-Bobb, Denise Petersen, Alester Carty, Earl Mills, and Lisa Plaskett-Samuel.