Legal Counsel

Frederick Handleman, ESQ.

The Legal Counsel provides guidance to the Police Commissioner and the U.S. Virgin Islands Police Department’s many Divisions, as well as, Bureau and Section heads. The Legal Counsel is responsible for a range of tasks including:

• Coordination of the defense of claims and lawsuits filed against alleged violations of civil rights based on claims of false arrest, excessive force, wrongful termination, wrongful taking of or injury to property, and contract matters

• Preparation and review of contracts and leases

• Legal research, analysis, and issuing legal opinion letters

• Review and formulation of policy

• Collective bargaining negotiation and resolution of labor issues

• Advice and resolution of employment law issues such as employee rights and benefits, claims of unlawful discrimination including sexual harassment, and compensation claims

• Management of the Law Enforcement Trust Fund and Police Commissioner’s Shared Asset Fund and provision of legal services to the Forfeiture Unit

• Legal support for joint law enforcement task forces, including IMPACT and HIDTA

• Preparation and coordination of Mutual Aid Agreements and MOU’s with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The Civil Division, in connection with deputies assigned throughout the county, acts as the executive arm of the court system. The Civil Division receives, processes, and executes legal process including summonses, subpoenas, writs of execution, writs of possession, writs of attachment, and writs of bodily attachment.