VIPD Granted Court Injunction Against Police Union

Unionized police officers and supervisors in the St. Thomas-St. John district have been warned against participating in any job actions by a judge in Superior Court.

Police Commissioner Mario Brooks sought and won a preliminary injunction against Police Benevolent Association Local 816 after several of its members failed to show up for their scheduled shifts over a two-day period in June.

Superior Court Judge Sigrid Tejo signed the order just before the Labor Day holiday weekend, granting the government’s motion for an injunction. Tejo also directed the clerk of the court to send copies of the Aug. 29 order to attorneys for the government and the union.

In her order, the judge cited the attendance records of June 15 and 16, showing that all but one unionized officer and supervisor failed to report for duty. The injunction followed a temporary restraining order issued by the court in June at the commissioner’s request.