The RVIP was formed in 1967. Previously the British Leeward Islands Police had provided policing across all British territories in the region, from the late nineteenth century onwards. Following the granting of independence to certain constituent states, and the change in status of dependent territories, the larger force was gradually broken down into smaller constabularies. The British Virgin Islands were briefly, during the 1960s, policed by the Antigua, Montserrat and Virgin Islands Police Force, but this force was dissolved in 1967, with each constituent state gaining an independent force.
The Specialist Operations division includes a Criminal Investigation Department and a marine unit which operates several small fast boats, and the large police patrol boat "St Ursula". The force's financial investigations department is headed by an officer of Chief Inspector rank paid for by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The force employs a total of nearly 300 people, of whom around 240 are dedicated police officers or auxiliary constables. There are eleven police stations, consisting of eight regular territorial stations, together with three specialist stations on the main island of Tortola, namely the Force Headquarters station, the airport police station, and the Marine Base police station.
Commissioner
The RVIP is headed by a Commissioner, assisted by a Deputy Commissioner. In April 2013 the Government advertised a vacancy for the post of Commissioner. There was speculation that the appointment was a foregone conclusion and that the Deputy Commissioner David Morris would be appointed. In July 2013 the Governor announced that David Morris had been appointed as Commissioner with effect from September 2013. The appointment has caused some controversy, as there are on-going formal complaints against the new Commissioner in which unfair dismissals and abuse of authority are alleged.
The Royal Virgin Islands Police employs numbers of Special Constables. These officers have the same training, powers, and duties as regular constables, but work on a part-time basis whilst also maintaining another career. Their policing duties are carried out during their own free time.
Auxiliary Constables
In the early days of the Leeward Islands Police, only a very small detachment of regular police officers was based on Tortola. They were supported by locally recruited and trained "Local Constables", who had limited authority, but maintained law and order. This tradition has continued to the present day, and the RVIP still includes around 20 "Auxiliary Constables", who have limited training, and are employed in supervising school crossings, and carrying out simple traffic control duties. They perform some station administrative duties, and sometimes investigate minor offences. In many ways they are similar to British Police community support officers, but unlike PCSOs, a Virgin Islands Auxiliary Constable has full police powers of arrest and detention.
