VIPD seeks $73.3 million general fund as department cites drops in overtime and progress on consent decree

The Virgin Islands Police Department on Aug. 13 told the Legislature's Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance that it will seek the Office of Management and Budget–recommended general fund appropriation of $73,339,967 for fiscal year 2026 while continuing to rely on federal grants and other funds to support operations.

Commissioner Mario M. Brooks, testifying with senior staff, said the department has reduced overtime spending sharply. "At the current rate, we anticipate expending $15,549,930 at the end of fiscal year 2025, which represents a 36% reduction," he said, citing a drop from $24,126,044 in overtime in fiscal 2024 to $13,157,633 year to date in 2025.

Brooks said the department's FY2026 general fund request includes personal services, fringe benefits, supplies and capital outlay and called particular attention to capital projects and grant-funded equipment. He said the VIPD expects $11,714,637 in federal funds and a $3,000,000 appropriation from the territory's tourism advertising revolving fund for tourism-related policing initiatives. "The budget also includes non appropriated funds of $584,314 for the Peace Officers Standard and Training Fund and an additional $11,714,637 anticipated from federal funds," Brooks said.

Why it matters: The department says the overtime reduction both…