Mapp Announces Winsbut McFarland As Territorial Police Chief

ST. THOMAS — Governor Kenneth Mapp has formally announced the appointment of Winsbut McFarland, above left, as territorial chief of the Virgin Islands Police Department effective immediately. The Consortium learned of the appointment on Wednesday.

The move comes as the Mapp administration is battling a wave of homicides in the territory, with Chief McFarland’s appointment being the latest effort in that endeavor.

“Chief McFarland will assume all operational command of all of the islands and districts in the Virgin Islands,” Mr. Mapp said during a press conference at Government House today, where multiple topics were discussed.

Former St. Thomas Police Chief Jason Marsh was named the deputy commissioner for the Professional Standards Bureau of the V.I.P.D. The Professional Standards Bureau is the outreach arm of the territory’s consent decree in the District Court, relating to professional standards within the police department.

The governor, who deemed the restructuring as an important aspect in his administration’s efforts to combat crime, revealed that local homicide investigators have been receiving training from the New York Police Department, with more officers headed to the NYPD next month. Chief McFarland himself recently returned from the NYPD, where he met with the chief of police and had a full day with the chief’s staff, according to the governor.

“I believe there’s high expectations in the territory and I am very confident that the department will benefit immensely from the knowledge and experience that both of you have brought to the table,” V.I.P.D. Commissioner Delroy Richards said of both appointments.

Chief McFarland, after thanking his family, the governor, police officers and the community, promised to do all in his power to ensure the community’s safety. “Together we could make a difference in this community,” he said.

Mr. Mapp told Chief McFarland that he has complete leeway to establish his department. “We want you to spend some time and put your team together,” the governor said, adding that Chief McFarland should choose who he believes is best suited to carry out his mandate.

As of today, 10 gun-related homicides have been reported on St. Croix for 2017, and 16 gun-related homicides on St. Thomas during the same time. When vehicular homicides are factored in, the count climbs to 31 territory-wide, to include Tuesday night’s vehicular homicide, according to information provided by Mr. Richards.