Senator Sarauw Says A Female Officer Drew A Gun At Her; Police Investigating Incident

ST. THOMAS — Senator Janelle Sarauw on Saturday filed a police report stating that a female police officer had pulled a gun on her, V.I.P.D. Commissioner Delroy Richards told The Consortium Sunday morning.

According to Mr. Richards, the incident occurred at the female officer’s — identified as Tianna Hunt — residence on Saturday afternoon, and involved three females — the police officer, Ms. Sarauw and another individual. Mr. Richards said during the altercation, the female officer allegedly brandished a firearm. Mr. Richards further confirmed that the police officer was placed on leave with pay, pending a complete investigation.

The altercation was not the first, according to a police report filed against Ms. Sarauw on January 14, which alleged that the senator was pounding on the female police officer’s window at 1:15 a.m. in regards to another female individual. And the situation appeared to have some history, with Ms. Sarauw telling The Consortium on Sunday night that on January 4, she had spoken to the female police officer’s supervisor about a trespassing incident, which Ms. Sarauw said involved the female officer coming to her yard.

In a statement issued late Sunday, Ms. Sarauw sought to keep the incident away from her job as a senator, stating that her personal life had no relevance to the work she continues to perform on behalf of the people of the Virgin Islands.

“This is personal and it has no bearing on how I perform my job. That is my personal life and in no way will I allow my personal life to interfere with the work I have to do on behalf of the people,” reads the statement. “The Virgin Islands is still in recovery from two [Category 5] hurricanes. People need roofs and windows and a home, not to hear skewed details of my personal life. We all have a personal life that may take different turns and we all have to go to work anyway. I plan to do the same.”

It was not clear what the skewed details about Ms. Sarauw’s life were, but the police report filed against the senator on January 14, delves into what appeared to be relational issues.

On the matter of suspension of the police officer, Mr. Richards stressed that the decision to place the officer on leave was because of the federal consent decree the Virgin Islands Police Department has been under for multiple years. He said the consent decree requires that officers be placed on leave following certain use of force incidents, among them brandishing weapons.

“It was alleged that the officer brandished her firearm,” Mr. Richards said. “Because of this report, we are required under the consent decree to place her on leave with pay pending the outcome of the investigation.” The commissioner said he was required to sign a document forwarded to him by the V.I.P.D.’s internal affairs arm in order for the leave with pay action to take effect.

Asked if officers were placed on leave each time they used force, the commissioner said no. “Once you lay hand, draw weapon, use a baton or police stick, it constitutes use of force” but does not necessarily result in placing the officer on leave, the commissioner said. “But anytime an officer draws his or her firearm, you have to put them on leave.”

Mr. Richards was careful to not implicate either the police officer or the senator, and said that the investigation would be fair to both parties. “Not because you’re a senator or a police officer means you’re immune from the law,” Mr. Richards said.

The police officer has denied pulling a firearm on the senator. Mr. Richards said more information on the matter would be provided once it becomes available.