By Deandrea Hamilton

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands — The dramatic decline in murders may have captured public attention, but newly released Year in Review graphics from Police Commissioner Fitz Bailey reveal a much broader policing strategy that the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force says is producing measurable results across the territory.

Among the standout achievements highlighted in the Commissioner’s 2025-2026 review is the recovery of 22 illegal firearms and more than 500 rounds of ammunition during 2025.  The graphics also show that four additional illegal firearms were seized during the first quarter of 2026.

The Police Force credits proactive policing, intelligence-led operations and community partnerships with helping remove weapons from the streets and reducing opportunities for violence.

The review also points to what may be the most significant statistic in the package: a 61 percent reduction in overall crime.  While the graphics do not provide a detailed breakdown of offences contributing to that decline, the figure suggests improvements extended well beyond homicide investigations and into broader categories of criminal activity.

Other accomplishments cited include strengthened border security operations, the detention of more than 1,100 irregular migrants, the dismantling of illegal settlements, the launch of a Human Trafficking Unit and expanded highway patrol initiatives.

The Force also highlighted increased engagement with communities through schools, churches and outreach programmes, investments in officer training and professional development, and modernization of information technology and communications systems.

For the tourism-dependent Turks and Caicos Islands, the review sought to reassure visitors that the destination remains safe.  Police recorded 43 incidents involving tourists during the review period, including 18 offences against the person, 23 property-related offences and two offences against the state.

Using annual visitor estimates of approximately two million arrivals, the Force argues that tourists remain overwhelmingly safe while vacationing in the territory.

The review also confirms the much-publicized reduction in murders. According to the data, murders fell from 48 in 2024 to 27 in 2025, representing a 43.75 percent decline.  The graphics further indicate that no murders were recorded during the first quarter of 2026.

While the figures paint a picture of improving public safety, they also raise questions that many residents will likely want answered as the conversation turns from crime reduction to criminal accountability.

Notably absent from the review are statistics related to arrests, charge rates, case clearances, prosecutions and convictions.  The graphics demonstrate that crime is declining and that firearms are being removed from communities, but they do not indicate how many suspects were arrested in connection with major crimes, how many cases resulted in charges, or how many offenders were ultimately convicted before the courts.

Those metrics have long been viewed as important measures of police effectiveness, particularly in serious crimes such as murder, shootings, robberies and firearms offences.  While the latest review focuses heavily on outcomes and operational achievements, future reporting on arrest and conviction rates may provide a more complete picture of how successfully the criminal justice system is converting police investigations into courtroom victories.

Still, Commissioner Bailey’s review makes a clear argument: that a combination of proactive policing, strategic enforcement, border security initiatives and community engagement has contributed to a safer Turks and Caicos Islands.

Turks and Caicos, June 1, 2026 – The Turks and Caicos Islands has entered a new chapter in its judicial history with the appointment of Hon. Madam Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards as Chief Justice, marking the third consecutive female leader of the nation’s judiciary and continuing more than a decade of women serving in the territory’s highest judicial office.

Justice Cummings-Edwards formally assumed office on May 1, 2026, succeeding former Chief Justice Hon. Justice Mabel Agyemang, whose six-year tenure was credited with significant reforms aimed at strengthening the courts and improving access to justice.

A native of Guyana, Justice Cummings-Edwards brings more than 37 years of legal and judicial experience to the role. Before arriving in the Turks and Caicos Islands, she served in some of the highest judicial offices in Guyana, including Acting Chief Justice and Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary. She also earned recognition for advancing court modernization, digitization, improved case management systems and expanded access to justice.

The appointment, announced by Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam following the advice of the Judicial Services Commission, brings to the Turks and Caicos Islands a jurist widely respected throughout the Caribbean legal community.

In announcing the appointment, the Governor said it followed a rigorous and highly competitive selection process and noted that Justice Cummings-Edwards’ appointment “reaffirms the enduring importance of an independent judiciary in upholding the rule of law, protecting constitutional governance and maintaining public confidence in the administration of justice.”

Accepting the appointment, Justice Cummings-Edwards said: “I am honoured to be appointed Chief Justice of the Turks and Caicos Islands and grateful for the confidence placed in me. I look forward to working collaboratively with my judicial colleagues, the legal profession and justice-sector partners to build on the strong foundation established and to further strengthen the delivery of justice in a manner that is fair, efficient and accessible to all.”

She added: “I remain committed to upholding the rule of law and serving the people of these Islands with integrity and dedication.”

Attorney General Rhondalee Braithwaite-Knowles welcomed the new Chief Justice at her swearing-in ceremony, describing her as a judicial leader with “extensive judicial experience, a strong commitment to the rule of law, and to strengthening the Turks and Caicos Islands’ Judiciary.”

Justice Cummings-Edwards’ appointment continues a notable trend in the Turks and Caicos Islands, where women have occupied the office of Chief Justice for more than a decade, reinforcing the territory’s reputation for strong female leadership at the highest levels of the judiciary.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.

Turks and Caicos, June 1, 2026 – As the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season begins today, Turks and Caicos Islanders are being encouraged to prepare both practically and spiritually, with national disaster officials launching a series of island-wide prayer services while government agencies finalize readiness plans for the months ahead.

The Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) kicked off its annual hurricane season prayer initiative on Sunday, May 31, with a service at Providence Baptist Church in North Caicos. The initiative reflects the country’s longstanding tradition of seeking divine protection at the start of the Atlantic hurricane season.

The prayer circuit will continue on June 7 at Abundant Life Ministries International in Providenciales, June 14 at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church in South Caicos, June 21 at the Church of God of Prophecy in Conch Bar, Middle Caicos, and conclude on June 28 at St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral in Grand Turk.

While churches unite in prayer, government agencies are strengthening operational readiness.

On May 28, Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam chaired the first State of Preparedness Meeting for the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season, bringing together key government officials, emergency responders, utility providers and critical infrastructure partners ahead of the June 1 start of the season.

According to the Governor’s Office, representatives from the DDME, Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment, healthcare and emergency services, along with utility and infrastructure leaders, reviewed national readiness plans, shelter preparedness, continuity of essential services, inter-agency coordination and response strategies.

The Governor emphasized the importance of proactive preparation, coordination and public awareness to ensure the Turks and Caicos Islands remains resilient throughout the hurricane season.

The discussions come as forecasters at the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, predict a below-normal Atlantic hurricane season for 2026. NOAA says there is a 55 percent chance of a below-normal season, a 35 percent chance of a near-normal season and a 10 percent chance of an above-normal season. Forecasters are predicting between eight and 14 named storms, including three to six hurricanes and one to three major hurricanes.

Despite the relatively favorable outlook, NOAA officials continue to caution against complacency.

“Although El Niño’s impact in the Atlantic Basin can often suppress hurricane development, there is still uncertainty in how each season will unfold,” said National Weather Service Director Ken Graham. “That is why it’s essential to review your hurricane preparedness plan now. It only takes one storm to make for a very bad season.”

For Turks and Caicos, that message resonates strongly. The islands remain among the Caribbean territories most vulnerable to hurricanes, and memories of major storms such as Hurricanes Ike, Irma and Maria continue to underscore the importance of preparedness.

As hurricane season opens, officials are urging residents to secure emergency supplies, review family preparedness plans, stay informed through official channels and participate in community readiness efforts. And for many across the islands, that preparation begins with prayer.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.