PRESENTATION OF ATTORNEY GENERAL 
GORDON C. RHEA 
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE’S TESTIMONY 
THIRTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS 
IN RE: BILL NO. 36-0136 
COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY,  
JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY 
SEPTEMBER 4, 2025 
 
 
Good morning, Chairman Clifford Joseph, Committee on Homeland Security, 
Justice and Public Safety members, other Senators, Legislative staff, and the 
listening and viewing audiences. I am Attorney General Gordon Rhea.  It is an honor 
and privilege to appear before you this morning. 
The Department of Justice appreciates the opportunity to comment on Bill No. 
36-0136. The Department of Justice has completed a preliminary review of Bill No. 
36-0136 and offers the following comments. 
The stated purpose of Bill No. 36-0136 is to amend title 23 of the Virgin 
islands Code, chapter 17, subchapter II, by redesignating existing sections 1331 and 
1332 as 1337 and 1338, respectively, and inserting new sections 1331 through 1336, 
to mandate lethal weapon training for security guards and investigators.   
Within the United States, states and territories have the authority to mandate 
lethal weapon training for security guards and other safety personnel by enacting 
Presentation Testimony of Attorney General Gordon C. Rhea 
Bill No. 36-0136 – Committee on Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety 
September 4, 2025 
P a g e  |  2  
 
laws and regulations requiring background checks, training programs and instructor 
certification, among others, before they can carry a firearm while on duty. Because 
each state and territory has the autonomy to create its own laws, these laws and 
regulations can look different from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. There are, however, 
some common licensing requirements for armed security guards including age 
requirements, background checks, fingerprinting, training – including firearm 
training – and recertification timelines.   
As presented, Bill No. 36-0136 covers the basic framework for the education 
and training requirements for armed security guards, the powers and duties of the 
Commissioner of the Virgin Islands Police Department, the qualification to enroll in 
an approved training program, certification and good standing. The proposed 
legislation also includes the fees for certification and licensing, and applicable 
definitions. It does not, however, set any legal standards or key licensing 
requirements.   
The decision to codify lethal weapon training for security guards and 
investigators is a good one. The territory has a responsibility to ensure public safety 
and to regulate the use of force. By establishing uniform rules and policies for armed 
security guards, the Virgin Islands can do both.  
Presentation Testimony of Attorney General Gordon C. Rhea 
Bill No. 36-0136 – Committee on Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety 
September 4, 2025 
P a g e  |  3  
 
The Department of Justice supports Bill No. 36-0144.  With that said, I would 
recommend that the language in the newly proposed §1333(3) be revised to clarify 
the purpose of the “schools” to be approved by the Commissioner. Additionally, 
under this section, I would consider moving proposed subsections (8) and (9) to 
follow subsection (3), since each address the schools to be approved.  
I thank the Committee for allowing the Department of Justice to testify on Bill 
No. 36-0136. This concludes my formal remarks, and I welcome any questions you 
may have.