Kenneth L. Gittens

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Senator Kenneth L. Gittens, known to most as “Kenny”, was born on St. Croix to Doris L. (Williams) Joseph (deceased) of St. Thomas and Keith R. Gittens, Sr. (deceased) of St. Croix.  Senator Gittens is a proud product of the Virgin Islands public school system.  Following his high school graduation, he joined the Virgin Islands Police Department in November of 1990.In 2000, he received an Associates of Science in Police Science and Administration from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City.  Continuing his educational pursuits, he obtained a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration from Columbia Southern University in 2008 and 2011 respectively.After more than 20 years working in law enforcement and criminal justice, Senator Gittens maintains a significant interest and expertise in the field.  He has diligently served in various capacities within the VIPD – from Police Cadet to Police Lieutenant. During his tenure, he also served as the 1st Director of the Executive Security Unit, Acting Police Inspector and Special Assistant to the Police Commissioner.

After retiring from the VIPD, he joined the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and was assigned to the Federal Emergency Management Agency as a Federal Fraud/Internal Investigator. Senator Gittens was elected to the 30th Legislature in 2012 and appointed as the Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety.  In the 31st Legislature, Senator Gittens took on the critical role of Chairman of the Rules & Judiciary Committee.

Senator Gittens is a member of the Retired V.I. Law Enforcement Officers Organization, National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), Law Enforcement Explorers and Gentlemen of Jones Inc. He has been involved with many community organizations, including the Cub Scouts of America, Boys Scouts of America, Law Enforcement Supervisors Union, Peace Officer Standard Training Council, St. Croix Festival Committee and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s CYFAR program to improve community-based programs for at-risk children and their families.Senator Gittens has one daughter, Shonneth, and is an active member of the Friedensberg Moravian Church.