There are some new faces in leadership within the Virgin Islands Police Department.
At a news conference Wednesday, VIPD Commissioner Trevor Velinor introduced the new chiefs of police, along with the rest of his senior leadership team, who will all be helping to move the department forward and improve safety and security in the US territory.
Ludrick Thomas is named Police Chief in the St. Thomas / St. John District, and Sidney Elskoe is named Police Chief of the St. Croix Police Department.
In addition to the other members of his senior leadership team, Velinor said they will work together to continue efforts to combat violent crime and improve morale within the department.
He said they will also focus on community policing, to improve police/community relations throughout the territory.
According to a news release from the VIPD:
Chief Elskoe has been with the VIPD for 25 years, working in various sections of the Department, to include the Marine Unit, Executive Security Unit and the Criminal Investigation Bureaus. He was also assigned to the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force and was the Commander of the Virgin Islands Crime Initiative. Prior to his selection as Chief, he held the rank of Captain.
Chief Thomas is a 29-year veteran of the Department. He has worked in the patrol division as both a patrol officer and a supervisor in St. Thomas and St. John. He has supervised the patrol division, the Criminal Investigation Bureau and the Executive Security Unit. Most recently, Thomas was assigned as a supervisory sergeant at the Training Bureau.
Velinor said of choosing the new Police Chiefs, “I assessed the Department and identified these men as having the competence and character to lead others. They are lifelong public servants and are credit to the community. They have pledged to work to make the Department better and the community safer.”
Police Commissioner Velinor also introduced the rest of his Senior Leadership Team, which includes Assistant Police Commissioner Mario Brooks, Deputy Police Commissioner of Professional Standards Jason Marsh, Chief of Staff Alekisha Joy Petersen, and Chief Strategy Officer Dr. Kysha Fedd. He also identified other members of his senior team, to include Deputy Police Commissioner of Operations Dr. Celvin Walwyn, Human Resource Director Dwayne Richards, and Chief Financial Officer Sandra Webster, and agency Administrator Keya Canaii.
