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TCI: Governor gives comment on illegal sloop situation; Police Commissioner a guest on radio this morning at 11 am as public criticizes ‘silence’ of leaders

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#Providenciales, August 27, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – PA string of crime and grounded flights topped off by an illegal sloop landing put residents on edge, but even more frustrating to those speaking to Magnetic Media was the silence of country leaders.

“By this time, I thought I would have heard something from the Government or the Governor on this situation, but everyone is silent,” was one comment we received over WhatsApp.

Magnetic Media gave updates in its usual WhatsApp blasts which included an armed robbery attack on a businesswoman, fires in Grand Turk and the closure of the JAGS McCartney International Airport which inconvenienced travelers.  The airport was closed due to a lack of fire cover.  Firefighters of the airport fire crew were needed to extinguish what appeared to be a massive blaze at the old clinic building.

“This country got fires one way, robberies the other way, shooting and killing the next way and the INVASION of Haitian immigrations straight up and down the line and NOTHING has been said. It just ain’t right.”

Authorities remained mute on the matters up until late Monday when there were a couple of police reports and Magnetic Media’s cell phone interview with the Governor who confirmed the illegal sloop landing and aimed to shed some light on reports that the Haitian migrants attacked police officers during the interception.

His Excellency Nigel Dakin said there was no attack on Marine Branch police members.

“Good work was done last night shortly after midnight.  Police were vectored onto a sloop in difficult waters in darkness and with fear of capsize.  Police took a risk-based decision not to board the vessel in tow and instead shadowed it.  This resulted in some risking their life by entering the water and others making it to land.”

The sloop was filmed in the waters of Cooper Jack Bay in Providenciales.

One resident of the area wrote, “Lots of dogs barking and cops in the neighbourhood from early morning in Cooper Jack.  Neighbours think it was a boat.  Heard anything.”

That question was posed to Magnetic Media minutes to 7 am on Monday. 

It remained unclear to the Governor, at the hour that Magnetic Media interviewed him how many illegal migrants were on board the boat or how many were in custody.

The Police report did not include an approximation of how many illegal people may have landed, nor did it say how many were in custody.  The report confirmed that no one was hurt, no shots were fired and that the boat was spotted around 11:23 pm on Sunday August 25, 2019.

“An operation that was ongoing continues to seek those that entered the country illegally,” said Governor Dakin.

Governor Dakin informed our media organization that Police Commissioner, Trevor Botting will aim to give more detailed information on weekend events, crime overall and coming strategies to tackle it on a radio talk show this morning. 

Magnetic Media confirmed that Commissioner Botting will appear as guest TODAY on ‘Financially Speaking’, which is hosted by Drexwell Seymour and aired on Radio Turks and Caicos (89.1FM); the show is at 11 am.

#magneticmedianews

#illegalslooplandingintci

#grandturkfires

TCI News

TCI Boat Club Donates $7,000 to TCI SNAP Centre from 11th Annual Poker Run

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Wednesday, 10 September 2025: The TCI Boat Club has once again demonstrated its commitment to community support by donating $7,000 to the SNAP Centre, raised through its highly successful 11th Annual Poker Run.

This generous contribution highlights the club’s dedication to supporting the vital services the SNAP Centre provides to children with special needs and their families in Providenciales. Last year’s donation assisted with much-needed upgrades at the Centre, and this year’s contribution will further strengthen the delivery of critical programmes and services for students.

“Our Annual Poker Run is more than just a fun event on the water; it’s a way for our community to come together and make a tangible difference. The SNAP Centre does invaluable work, and we are honoured to contribute and partner with their mission,” said Ms. Jenekah Stubbs of the TCI Boat Club.

Director of the Special Education Needs Services (SENS) Department, Dr. Anya Malcolm-Gibbs expressed gratitude on behalf of the centre: “We are truly thankful for the TCI Boat Club’s continued generosity. This donation will directly support our efforts to provide a safe, supportive, and empowering learning environment for our students. Partnerships like these remind us that when the community comes together, children with special needs are given the opportunity to thrive.”

The Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Social Services, Hon. Rachel M. Taylor, also commended the donation, stating: “The SNAP Centre plays a crucial role in our education system, offering specialised services that make a real difference in the lives of children and families. I applaud the TCI Boat Club for their ongoing commitment to education and inclusion, and for demonstrating the power of community in supporting our nation’s future.”

The SNAP Centre remains dedicated to providing essential support, education, and resources for children with special needs.

Donations such as this ensure the Centre can continue to expand services and create meaningful opportunities for students and their families.

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Government

Tamica Prospere Appointed Director of Learning and Development

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Turks and Caicos, September 6, 2025 – The Office of the Deputy Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands is pleased to announce the appointment of Mrs. Tamica Prospere as the Director of the Department of Learning and Development within the Office of the Deputy Governor.

Mrs. Prospere holds a Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Associate Diploma in Organisational Learning and Development (RQF Level 5), a Bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of the West Indies (UWI) and an Associate Degree in Education, also from UWI. She has further enhanced her credentials with certifications and coursework in content delivery, human resource management, talent management, and training and development from esteemed institutions, including Mico University College and CIPD.

With a strong foundation in public service and education in St. Lucia, Mrs. Prospere dedicated over a decade to classroom teaching at the secondary school level, beginning in 2002. During her tenure, she educated a diverse student body across various subjects, including Mathematics, Information Technology, and Life Skills, all aimed at fostering students’ personal and social well-being. She also facilitated community adult learning programs, showcasing her enduring commitment to promoting inclusive and varied educational opportunities.

Her career in public service in the Turks and Caicos Islands began in 2014 as a teacher at Marjorie Basden High School. From 2019, she served as the Learning and Development Manager for the legacy Customs Department and later for the TCI Border Force. In this role, she made significant contributions to improvements and championed a culture of professional growth.

Mrs. Prospere has been a strong advocate for leadership development through several key programmes. She conceptualised and introduced the Leading Effectively through Accountability and Development (LEAD) programme for the management team, which has successfully run for three consecutive years, with its most recent leadership reinforcement event held in 2025. Additionally, she implemented several programmes in partnership with educational institutions, resulting in 27 Border Force officers earning continuing professional development (CPD) certifications in supervisory management from UWI and 10 managers completing the Dynamic Leadership course with the Caribbean Maritime University.

She played a pivotal role in developing operational strategic plans and frameworks for both the Customs Department and the TCI Border Force. Mrs. Prospere spearheaded the creation and delivery of professional programmes, such as the Customs Broker Certification Programme. She introduced a Learning Management System (LMS) to facilitate scalable learning for aspiring Customs Brokers.

Moreover, she led the implementation of several significant projects, most notably the Regional Clearance System in the TCI and a comprehensive revamp of customs procedures at Howard Hamilton International Airport, which greatly enhanced operational efficiency. She also facilitated key engagements that strengthened partnerships with leading regional bodies, including the Caribbean Customs Legislation and Enforcement Council (CCLEC), the border security team within CARICOM IMPACS, and the customs advisory arm of CARTAC. These collaborations were instrumental in securing vital technical assistance for training.

Speaking on the appointment, Mrs. Prospere said, “I am honoured to step into this role and lead the Learning and Development Directorate. I believe that a world-class public service is built together. I’m dedicated to partnering with civil servants at all levels to foster a dynamic learning environment where we can collectively develop the skills needed to be adaptable, exceed standards, and deliver truly exceptional service to the public.”

In congratulating Mrs. Prospere, Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service, H.E. Anya Williams stated, “We are pleased to extend congratulations to Mrs. Tamica Prospere on her appointment as the new Director of the Department of Learning and Development within the Office of the Deputy Governor.

With over a decade of dedicated service in the field of training and development, Mrs. Prospere has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to building capacity and strengthening the public service workforce in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Her innovative and strategic approach to learning has transformed teams and empowered individuals, ensuring the public service is well-equipped to meet the demands of a constantly evolving landscape.

As the government continues its efforts to enhance service delivery through robust and comprehensive training initiatives, we are confident that Mrs. Prospere’s leadership will be instrumental in advancing a culture of excellence, collaboration and continuous growth across the public sector.

Congratulations Mrs. Prospere, on your well-deserved promotion. We look forward to working with you to shape the future of learning and development in the Public Service in the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

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TCI News

Purchasing Stolen Items Online

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***PUBLIC ADVISORY***

10th September 2025

 

The Serious Crime Unit of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force has taken notice of stolen items being advertised for sale on Facebook and other social media platforms.

Members of the public are reminded to exercise extreme caution when purchasing items online and to always verify the legitimacy of such transactions.

For 2025, the RT&CIPF detected FIVE incidents involving the online sale of stolen goods.

We strongly urge individuals to verify the seller’s identity and reputation, and request proof of ownership. Persons are also asked to be cautious of unusually low prices of items and sellers who pressure you to complete the sale quickly.

Whenever possible, meet the seller in person at a safe location to inspect items before payment.

Please be advised that ignorance of the law is not a valid excuse and due diligence should be conducted when purchasing items.

Persons found purchasing or acquiring stolen goods may be charged with:

  • Handling Stolen Goods, contrary to Section 17(1) of the Theft Act states: “A person handles stolen goods if (otherwise than in the course of stealing) knowingly or believing them to be stolen goods he dishonestly undertakes or assists in their retention, renewal, disposal or realization by or for the benefit of another person, or if he arranges to do so”
  • 17(2) A person guilty of handling stolen goods shall on conviction on indictment be liable to a term of imprisonment of fourteen years.
  1. acquires criminal property;
  2. use criminal property; or
  3. has possession of criminal property.

Additionally, Section 126(1)(c) of the Proceeds of Crime Act, Chap. 3:15, sub-heading: Acquisition, use and possession states: A person is guilty of an offence if he—

PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE

Police Headquarters, Airport Road

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands

Tel: 649-941-4448|Email: media@tcipolice.tc

If found guilty on summary conviction, he faces imprisonment for a term of two years or a fine of $200,000 or both; or

(b) On conviction in indictment, to imprisonment for a term of fourteen years or a fine without limit or to both.

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