U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS–The 33rd Legislature’s Rules and Judiciary Committee on Monday approved the nomination of Trevor Velinor, who Governor Albert Bryan Jr. has tapped as commissioner of the V.I. Police Department.
Committee Chairwoman Janelle Sarauw, Senate President Novelle Francis Jr. and Senators Myron Jackson, Kenneth Gittens, Alicia Barnes voted in favor of Mr. Velinor’s nomination, while Sen. Steven Payne voted no and Sen. Javan James was absent.
During his long and distinguished career working for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Mr. Velinor – who is a St. Croix native – served as a special agent for ATF based on St. Thomas from 1997 to 2001.
“As I worked to protect the Territory from the unlawful possession, use and trafficking of firearms, I was assigned to the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area initiative,” said Mr. Velinor, who was one of two ATF agents in the Territory and worked with agents from the DEA, FBI, U.S. Customs and the V.I. Police Department.
The task force comprises federal and local law enforcement personnel who pursue and arrest violent criminals, dismantle drug trafficking organizations, and seek prosecution of armed traffickers of narcotics.
During his testimony, Mr. Velinor discussed:
· How he will address violent crime in the Territory
· Stem the flow of firearms into the U.S. Virgin Islands
· Mitigate the shortage of police personnel
· Resolve issues with the federal consent decree
· Increasing traffic enforcement throughout the Territory
· His overarching strategy for the V.I. Police Department
“To address the adverse impact of violent crime, particularly where firearms are used, requires a comprehensive and focused approach in pursuit of the worst of the worst offenders,” he told the Senate Committee.
Velinor also noted that he would work to strengthen the partnership between the VIPD and the community.
“From my perspective, we are in a state of urgency. We must not become de-sensitized by looking the other way and simply reading the newspaper in hopes that crime disappears,” he said. “Effective law enforcement requires that the community and police come together on common ground. I hope to continue to build trust through community engagement, responsiveness, and accountability.”
Nominee Velinor has been working for ATF since 1990, and other than the U.S. Virgin Islands, he has served in various capacities in Washington, D.C.; Columbus, Ohio; Tampa, Florida; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Houston, Texas; and Orlando, Florida.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in Tallahassee, Florida; a Master of Applied Social Science degree in Public Administration from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University; and a Master of Psychology degree from the University of Phoenix.
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