News

Youngsters Urged To Join Police Youth Clubs

Published

11 years ago

September 3, 2015

KINGSTON, Sept. 1 (JIS): The country’s young people are being encouraged to get involved in police youth clubs in order to bring about meaningful change in their lives and contribute to the progress of their communities.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) in charge of the Community Safety and Security Branch (CSSB), Bishop Dr. Gary Welsh, says the clubs serve a positive purpose, by impacting the communities of which they are a part, while also developing the leadership skills of members.

“They help to harness young talent, with emphasis on leadership capabilities, social entrepreneurship and the adoption of a culture of lawfulness. Accountability and action is reinforced with participants being shown that individually, they can make a difference but collectively, the reach is far greater,” he tells JIS News.
There are 543 registered police youth clubs across the island, however, 30 per cent of them have become dormant due to falloff in membership, as persons migrate, pursue higher education or work, or they simply lose interest due to lack of effective programmes to keep them engaged.

Over the years, the clubs, located in the island’s 19 police divisions have been a conduit through which the JCF moulds and provides a positive influence on the young people of this country, instilling discipline, responsibility and respect for law and order, in order to steer them away from a life of crime.

In fact, many of the members have gone on to become members of the police force.
The clubs have successfully identified and developed the competencies of the youth and they contribute to their communities through engagement in activities such as caring for the elderly, adopting and improving basic schools, and hosting and engaging in sporting events.

The entrepreneurial skills of the members are also harnessed through engagement in small or micro business enterprises.

In Clarendon, for example, police youth clubs have been assisted with start-up businesses in order to become more self-sufficient.

With kind assistance from the Custos of the parish, Hon. William Shagoury, several clubs have received chickens and pigs to embark on income generating ventures.

“We try and help by giving them some layers. They (club members) would be ready to start making money within a month and a half. We give them the feed, the (feeding) pans and a lesson in taking care of the chickens. They build the coops and once the chickens start laying they are able to make a start,” he tells JIS News.

Mr. Shagoury says the programme started eight years ago and some clubs have been doing well.

One of the outstanding features of the police youth clubs is that they help to bridge the gap between the police and citizens. As the police works with the youngsters in the communities, hostilities are reduced, and trust is built, which goes a far way in addressing crime and violence.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Cornwall “Bigga” Ford, tells JIS News that the revival of clubs in the West Kingston division, which he heads, is bringing about positive change in the communities where they operate.
Since SSP Ford took over the reins in April, the Denham Town, Admiral Town, Trench Town and Rose Town police youth clubs have been revitalised.

SSP Ford says he feels encouraged by the re-organisation of the clubs. “Since I’ve been there I have revived all of them. We are getting membership and we have identified police leaders. I am enthused. There are a lot of young people with high quality leadership skills,” he tells JIS News.

“They are helping to pull in other young people. They have worked in the stations and they served as counsellors in the summer youth camps so there is an impact,” he adds.

SSP Ford notes that the clubs, which promote positive inclusion and meaningful engagement for the young people go a far way in eradicating the “informer” label, which prohibits meaningful, trustworthy relationships between citizens and police.

He says that the police, working with youth club leaders in community development initiatives and sporting activities such as football, has resulted in the retention of club membership.

“We have a five-a-side internal competition for the police and we allow the youth clubs to insert two teams in it. They are one of the finalists in that. We do not treat them differently. We are trying all kinds of things,” he notes.

A book drive for back-to-school was also initiated, he informs.

SSP Ford says he plans on engaging the business community to provide much-needed equipment and resources for the survival of the clubs.

Meanwhile, as it relates to the inactive clubs, SSP Karina Powell-Hood, who is attached to the CSSB Branch, tells JIS News that an assessment will be carried out to determine whether they can be revived.

She says to remain active, clubs need to put programmes in place that are dynamic and can keep members engaged.
She notes that young people tend to gravitate to organisations that involve activities such as sports.

Related Topics:jamaica police youth clubs

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Police Commissioner Honoured with Distinguished Civic Service Award at TCHTA Star Awards

Published

2 days ago

March 5, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey has been recognised for his contribution to national security and the tourism industry, receiving the Distinguished Civic Service Award at the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association’s Star Awards held on February 19, 2026 at Beaches Turks and Caicos.

The annual awards ceremony is the premier recognition event for the territory’s hospitality sector, bringing together industry leaders, executives and frontline professionals to celebrate excellence and the individuals whose work strengthens the destination’s global reputation.

Commissioner Bailey was honoured for his strategic leadership in the fight against crime and the measurable reductions in major offences, efforts widely credited with improving public confidence and reinforcing the Turks and Caicos Islands’ standing as a safe and competitive tourism jurisdiction.

In accepting the award, the Commissioner dedicated the recognition to the officers and staff of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, praising their commitment and professionalism in what he described as a collective national effort to make the islands more secure.

The TCHTA Star Awards spotlight the link between public safety and tourism performance, acknowledging that a stable and safe environment is essential to visitor confidence, investment and the continued growth of the sector.

This year’s ceremony featured high-energy hosting by Super P the Entertainer, with Omega serving as awards announcer, as the industry gathered to honour the people and partnerships that continue to elevate the Turks and Caicos brand.

Health

TCI Hospital Celebrates Successful “Heart Strong TCI” Initiative During Heart Month

Published

4 days ago

March 2, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

(Providenciales – Monday, March 2, 2026) TCI Hospital proudly announces the successful achievement of its Heart Strong TCI initiative, a comprehensive Heart Month campaign focused on raising awareness and strengthening cardiovascular disease prevention efforts across the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the Turks and Caicos Islands, highlighting the critical need for sustained public education, risk-factor reduction, and early intervention. The Heart Strong TCI initiative was designed to actively engage the community through education, outreach, and physical activity.

Key Activities Included:

Educational Training Sessions

Healthcare professionals conducted structured sessions addressing hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol management, nutrition, exercise, smoking cessation, and the early warning signs of heart disease.

House Call Talk Show Feature

A dedicated Heart Month episode of the hospital’s House Call program provided expert discussion on cardiovascular risk factors and prevention strategies, empowering viewers with practical, evidence-based guidance.

Red Fridays Awareness Campaign

Throughout the month, staff wore red every Friday to increase visibility around heart disease awareness and reinforce the campaign’s message within the community.

Heart Strong 5K Walk/Run

In collaboration with the Rotary Club, TCI Hospital hosted a community-wide 5K walk/run to promote physical activity as a cornerstone of heart health. The walk/run also provided an opportunity for community screening.

Digital Health Education Campaign

To expand its reach, TCI Hospital also shared ongoing heart health education tips and prevention messages across its social media platforms, including Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. These posts provided actionable guidance on diet, exercise, blood pressure control, and lifestyle modification, and encouraging community members to learn CPR.

Heart Strong TCI: A Continuous Commitment

While Heart Month has officially ended, Heart Strong TCI represents an ongoing institutional commitment to cardiovascular disease prevention and awareness. TCI Hospital will continue to prioritize:

Community-based education initiatives
Preventative screening and early detection programs
Lifestyle and wellness promotion
Strategic partnerships that advance public health outcomes

“Heart Strong TCI is not limited to a single month,” CEO, Dr. Denise Braithwaite-Tennant. “Cardiovascular disease prevention requires sustained effort. We remain committed to promoting healthy hearts across the Turks and Caicos Islands year-round.”

For more information about cardiovascular health services or upcoming screening initiatives, please contact TCI Hospital at 649-941-2800 in Providenciales, 649-941-2900 in Grand Turk or email us at info@interhealthcanada.tc

About TCI Hospital

TCI Hospital is dedicated to delivering high-quality healthcare services to the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands, with a strong emphasis on prevention, education, and community wellness.

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New Chartered Accountant Member Appointed to The Integrity Commission

Published

1 week ago

February 27, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

Darius E. Ferguson, Member of the Integrity Commission Board

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Friday, 27 February 2026: Her Excellency the Governor, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, today announced the appointment of Mr. Darius E. Ferguson as a Member of the Integrity Commission Board, serving as the Chartered Accountant Member in accordance with Section 3(2)(a) of the Integrity Commission Ordinance. His appointment is for a period of three (3) years and follows consultation with the President of the Turks and Caicos Islands Society of Professional Accountants.

Mr. Ferguson, with family ties to Providenciales and South Caicos, is a Chartered Accountant with over twenty years of senior leadership experience across aviation, finance, technology and consultancy, he brings a strong and diverse background in financial governance, regulatory compliance and strategic planning.

A former Chief Financial Officer of Sky Bahamas Airlines for a decade, Mr. Ferguson managed all financial reporting, regulatory engagement, capital projects and commercial development initiatives. He previously served in senior audit roles at both Ernst & Young LLP and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, leading high‑risk audit engagements and ensuring adherence to international financial and accounting standards.

Throughout his career, Mr. Ferguson has demonstrated a strong commitment to professional ethics, community leadership and organisational accountability. His experience across corporate governance, financial oversight, and operational risk management will bring valuable strategic insight to the Integrity Commission.

Her Excellency the Governor welcomed the appointment, stating:

“Mr. Ferguson’s extensive background in financial management, auditing and governance, together with his leadership experience across both corporate and community sectors, make him well‑suited to serve on the Integrity Commission. His appointment strengthens our ongoing commitment to integrity, transparency and accountability in public life. I am confident that he will make a meaningful contribution to the Commission’s important work.”