St. Thomas U.S.V.I. - Police Commissioner James H. McCall on Wednesday announced changes in the leadership of the Virgin Islands Police Department, District of St. Thomas-St. John. McCall has named Sgt. Dwayne DeGraff to serve as St. Thomas Deputy Police Chief.  De Graff replaces Lt. Melvin Venzen who has been reassigned to lead the VIPD Special Operations Bureau. 

“I am confident in the abilities of Sgt. DeGraff as he undertakes this new assignment. He brings a wealth of expertise to the position and will augment the efforts of Police Chief Rodney Querrard, Sr. in waging a strategic fight against the criminal element.”

McCall said Venzen, will soon announce an expansion of the Special Operations Bureau to more adequately meet the challenges being faced by the police force. 

The reassignments take effect on Sunday, February 22, 2009