REPORT SUBMITTED BY WILLANDRA ELLIOTT
On Friday, 19th
June 2020 at 5:00pm, His Excellency The Governor Nigel
Dakin (responsible for national security and boarder control) met with Ms.
Willandra Elliott at the Governor’s Office in Providenciales. The meeting specifically
addressed core issues regarding the surge in crime and gun violence.
According to Ms.
Elliott, H.E. Governor Dakin confirmed that he assumed his post within the
Turks & Caicos Islands approximately eleven months ago, and within one
month of his arrival, Mr. Trevor Botting, current Commissioner of Police,
arrived. From 8th April 2019 throughout 19th June 2020, a
total of 24 murders had been reported. Of these, 23 murders were committed with
the use of firearm, 92% of victims being males, and 40% of murders believed to
be gang related. Ms. Elliott commented, “This is a clear indication of the
magnitude of gun violence and its adverse impact on our country.”
H.E. Governor Dakin
confirmed that Premier Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson’s 12-point crime plan was
derived from the Bermuda and Glasgow models of the Crime and Violence Reduction
Strategy. However, it is assumed that
the plan will take approximately ten years to reap the expected benefits. Ms. Elliott
then conveyed the dire need for a Crime and Violence Reduction Strategy that
would begin to reap immediate results as many families are losing loved ones often,
and on a far-too-regular basis due to violent crimes.
H.E. Governor Dakin raised
the point that a total of twenty-seven police officers recently completed
training, and will return upon the opening of the boarders. These officers received training in the areas
of basic operations such as administration and investigation, which is intended
to strengthen the intelligence operations of the Royal Turks & Caicos
Islands Police Force. In responding to
this, Ms. Elliott mentioned that educating our police officers represents only
half the battle as the relationship between the police and community has been
strained for quite some time, and requires strengthening as well. Ms. Elliott further
explained that ensuring reinstatement of all community police stations and keeping
confidentiality regarding witness protection and tips in the highest of
confidence could positively reinforce this relationship. In this regard, H.E. Governor Dakin recommended
the use of the Crime Stoppers hotline.
Ms. Elliott also
addressed the lack of adequate compensation for police officers. H.E. Governor Dakin acknowledged, in defense
of the current payroll, that police officers receive additional benefits
separate and apart from salaries. Theses benefits were not identified.
Matters regarding the
prison, its expansion, and rehabilitation of the prisoners were also examined. H.E. Governor Nigel Dakin confirmed that the “Yellow
Wing’ of the prison which currently and mostly houses inmates convicted of
murder has been tendered, and rebuilding will commence in the near future. He also indicated that there is additional
Crown Land surrounding the prison, which makes expansion very possible. In
light of prisoners often being prematurely released due to inadequate
facilities and overcrowding, Ms. Elliott queried the reason for delay in the
expansion of the prison, and went on to say, “Rehabilitation of prisoners
should also be at the forefront to ensure that these persons are able to
integrate into society with an easy transition and to enable them to make
positive contributions to our society.”
Ms. Elliott also
queried the purpose of the United Kingdom Armed Forces within the Turks &
Caicos Islands and their current roles. H.E. Governor Dakin’s response was that
troops of the Royal Marines are working with the Maritime Police to increase manpower
as it pertains to boarder protection, including work to improve command,
control and communication systems so as to achieve faster responses. Members of the medical team are working with
the Turks & Caicos Islands health team to plan and support the public
healthcare capacity of the country. The logistics team is responsible for bringing
in health supplies from a Royal Naval Task Force located within our region. H.E.
Governor Dakin also indicated that ongoing assistance is given to the
Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) to help the country
better cope with both the current COVD-19 pandemic and the 2020 hurricane
season. Data concerning post Irma and
Maria Hurricanes were reviewed to assist with risk management planning and tabletop
operations. Ongoing works are being done to interisland communication plans.
Ms. Elliott remains
mindful that “the Queen” has appointed both H.E. Governor Nigel Dakin and
Commissioner of Police Trevor Botting. “It is my personal view that,
respectfully, the aforementioned gentlemen do not truly understand the plight
of our people. After time served, they
will return to their respective countries and we, the people, will still have
to endure the adverse effects of our rapidly increasing crime rate, in
particular gun violence, unsolved crimes and boarders that are ineffectively protected. It is time to stand in solidarity in our
efforts to restore our beautiful by nature and peaceful by choice Turks &
Caicos Islands, and make our voices heard. I am hereby prepared to be the
essence of eccentricity, even if it means standing alone. Turks & Caicos Stand Up, Speak Up and
Stay Woke!”
