TCI News
Hold the Governor accountable about promises and plans to beat down crime; for T-Bone and others’ sake
#Providenciales, Turks and Caicos – October 10, 2020 — Because violent crime is at its highest level ever in the Turks and Caicos, islanders must demand accountability when it comes to remedies announced during a crime strategy press conference held September 15.
Criminals are getting away with murder, literally speaking. Leaders are getting away with not curbing these violent, deadly encounters, figuratively speaking. Meanwhile residents and tourists are paying – in the worst cases – with their lives.
A 20th murder on October 8 revived feelings that safety is gravely under threat or non-existent in the Turks and Caicos, and that those managing national security are failing at their jobs.
National Security is part of the portfolio of the territory’s governor, who at this time is Nigel Dakin.
A Turks and Caicos businessman, Twelyn “T-Bone” Swann was shot and killed at his home and business on South Dock road, sometime between Wednesday night and Thursday morning. There has been a statement from TCI Police to confirm that a murder investigation is launched; nothing more.
Fifty-year old, T-Bone is well-known; a talented welder with a cheerful personality described as a ‘gem’ by those speaking to Magnetic Media. T-Bone is another beloved citizen gunned down at the sanctity of his home, which points to a trend for armed private property invasions which target and terrorise victims.
An outrageous crime, and confidence about catching the killer or killers is low.
One man spoke in a voice note about what he heard of how T-Bone was discovered: “…he was shot in his chest. Another mother who will never find out who do it; my God!”
“I really cannot wrap my mind around this, how these decent law abiding citizens gatta come to this man. It’s like so heartbreaking. You know? It’s so heartbreaking. I don’t know what this man children going through today and his family because it’s such a tight knit family. This is such sad news man,” said a woman from the group.
The comments were shared on WhatsApp; a part of a string of remarks about T-Bone, about crime, about the prevalence of guns and about the safety of the Turks and Caicos.
“…guns are on the black market and there seems to be no raids that are going on although you can hear of where they might be and who might be in possession of them. They’ve not really carried out any full scale raids to determine if the allegations being made have grounds,” said another woman from the chat who went on to inform, “They’re now saying you can have murder for hire in Turks and Caicos right now, if the price is right and people are afraid, really afraid.”
The Governor at the September press conference said there are raids which are getting guns off the streets.
“The Tactical Unit go from strength-to-strength. It’s they who are executing warrants at night, going through doors, removing weapons from armed men. Through experience they are becoming a ‘national elite’. Next month (October) they are joined by armed officers from the UK Police’s Firearms cadre – partly funded by the UK, partly funded by TCIG – who bring a full range of skills including the ability to go up against the hardest targets engaged in the most violent of offences. These UK Tactical Firearms Officers will be with us for a year while they are backfilled from our Force and the region. The UK is also sending firearms training officers to help upskill the overall Force,” said Nigel Dakin, Governor.
The raids by the tactical unit are covert operations. Trevor Botting, the Commissioner of the Royal TCI Police Force, during a media briefing on August 27, said over a period of 90-days the tactical unit performed 38 raids; there were seven arrests and four individuals have been arraigned on criminal charges.
More overtly the Governor has promised the Turks and Caicos will get armed officers from the United Kingdom and local police members will be trained in how to safely and proficiently use a firearm.
Accountability means, islanders should know when the help arrives and be informed of the progresses from this one-year deployment and training.
Two special investigators are also promised to arrive in the territory to boost capacity at the Criminal Investigation Department.
“Two UK Superintendents have either arrived or about to. They, along with the recently promoted Willet Harvey (responsible for the Sri Lankan investigation) will form the crucial mid-level leadership in the Force – the UK officers bring much homicide experience with them and unlike the past won’t just deliver, they will mentor,” said Governor Dakin in the press conference shared with the premier and the commissioner of police.
Islanders are assured of law for the protection of witnesses in criminal cases; forensic science to strengthen investigations; new modern legislation to incorporate electronic evidence and partnership with security companies to increase capacity for more ‘eyes and ears’ working to prevent crimes and catch criminals.
“But beyond the Police there is a huge cohort of those involved in deterring crime – the security industry – and there is I believe much more that can be done in professionalising this industry, regulating it, and, as is the case in the UK, building serious partnership between it and the police. Exploratory work has started, again being developed out of the National Security Secretariat to do just that. If we get this synergy right we will have a significantly expanded group of well-trained individuals, to an internationally recognised standard, working to the same ends – the increased security of our communities.”
Additionally, there is a plan to get to the root of criminal behaviour.
“The Permanent Secretary National Security has now taken direction from the Premier to do just this – help build a crime reduction strategy that is cross-Government and in partnership with society. It builds out of the success in Bermuda and Glasgow, it’s complex, but it is probably the most singularly important piece of work that Government is presently engaged on and I’m heartened to see the way the intelligent conversation has developed over the last year with, I think, a real understanding that what we face today could have been foreseen or prevented had different approaches been taken in the past. We now need to collectively write our own future,” said the Governor.
In the newest murder investigation of T-Bone Swann; the public learned: “Police Force responded to the South Dock Road area following a report at 7:11 a.m., that a lifeless body of a man was found on the ground outside of a building on Thursday October 8, 2020.”
The statement was issued on October 8. There has been no update on the progress of the investigation.
Turks and Caicos, April 06, 2026 – Technical excellence early in their jumps became the defining factor for two Turks and Caicos
athletes, as David Hall soared to gold in a nail-biting Under-20 high jump final at the 53rd CARIFTA Games in Grenada. Herwens Guerrier added to the country’s success with a 1.90 metre clearance to secure silver in the Under-17 division, finishing in a tightly contested field where all three medalists cleared the same height.
Both events were decided on countback — meaning the medals were determined not just by height cleared, but by which athlete did so with fewer failed attempts, highlighting the importance of precision and composure under pressure.
A wave of national pride followed the results, with congratulatory messages pouring in for the athletes who delivered under pressure on the regional stage. In a statement, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam praised both competitors, saying their “hard work, discipline and determination have made the entire nation proud,” while encouraging the wider team to continue striving as competition unfolded at the Kirani James National Stadium in Grenada.
Team Turks and Caicos finished just outside of the top ten among 28 competing nations, and anticipation is already building for what is expected to be a spirited homecoming for the standout athletes, whose performances have ignited pride across the islands.
The 53rd staging of the CARIFTA Games, held at the Kirani James National Stadium in Grenada, unfolded under warm, at times testing
conditions, with intermittent showers and shifting winds challenging athletes across disciplines.
Jamaica once again asserted its dominance, capturing its 40th consecutive CARIFTA title, continuing an unmatched run in regional athletics. Among the standout performers was Shanoya Douglas, whose electrifying run in the Under-20 200 metres earned her the prestigious Austin Sealy Award — the Games’ highest individual honour — after she shattered the long-standing record of Bahamian Shaunae Miller-Uibo, who went on to become an Olympic gold medalist in the 400 metres. Douglas clocked an impressive 22.11 seconds to rewrite the CARIFTA record books.
For Turks and Caicos, however, the spotlight remained firmly on the field, where two high jumpers delivered performances defined by discipline and growth. Hall’s gold medal-winning clearance of 2.00 metres marked a significant step forward in his development, improving on his 1.89 metre silver medal performance at the 2025 Inter-High Championships. Guerrier’s 1.90 metre effort in the Under-17 division similarly places him among the country’s top emerging talents, signalling a strong future for the event locally.
Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands — It’s that time again — a period of compliance, accountability and transparency for those entrusted with public office and captured under the category of “Specified Persons in Public Life.”
The Integrity Commission is reminding all individuals who fall within this category that they are legally required to file their Declarations of Income, Assets and Liabilities, in accordance with Section 39 of the Integrity Commission Ordinance.
The declaration window is now officially open, running from April 1 to June 30, 2026, and applies to a wide cross-section of senior
public officials, statutory board members and others operating within the machinery of government.
This is not a routine administrative exercise. It is a cornerstone of good governance — designed to ensure that those in positions of power are transparent about their financial interests, and to guard against corruption, conflicts of interest and illicit enrichment.
Who Must File
The Commission outlines several categories of individuals required to submit declarations this cycle.
They include:
- Persons who last filed on or before June 30, 2024
- Individuals newly appointed to statutory boards or government positions from April 1, 2026 onward
- Those who have demitted office, resigned or whose contracts have ended — who must file within 90 days of leaving their post
- Individuals who may not have previously realized they fall under the legal requirement
The net is wide — and intentionally so.
“Specified Persons in Public Life” includes elected officials, senior civil servants, financial officers, law enforcement leadership, members of statutory bodies, and other key decision-makers whose roles carry influence over public resources and policy.
Among them are Members of the House of Assembly, Cabinet Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Heads of Department, senior police officers, and individuals serving on public boards and commissions.
The Commission notes that the full schedule of designated roles is extensive, and persons are encouraged to consult the official list available through its office or website to confirm whether they are captured under the law.
How to File
Unlike many modern reporting systems, this process remains deliberately controlled.
All declarations must be:
- Submitted in person
- Delivered by appointment only
- Accompanied by supporting documentation
Declarants will be contacted directly with their assigned appointment details, including date, time and location. The Commission has made it clear — submissions through third parties, email or mail will not be accepted.
This approach reinforces the seriousness of the process and ensures the integrity of submissions.
Declaration forms are available via the Commission’s website, and assistance is accessible through its Providenciales office for those needing clarification.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
The warning from the Commission is unambiguous.
Failure to file a declaration without reasonable cause is a criminal offence.
Penalties include:
- Up to one year imprisonment
- A fine of up to $15,000
- Or both
Additionally, the Commission is mandated to publish the names of non-compliant individuals in the official Gazette — a move that carries both legal and reputational consequences.
Confidential but Critical
While the process is strict, the Commission emphasizes that all declarations are confidential documents, handled with discretion.
Still, the purpose is clear: transparency does not always mean public disclosure — but it does mean accountability to an independent oversight body.
In a region where public trust can be fragile, these filings serve as a quiet but powerful mechanism to reinforce confidence in governance.
For Turks and Caicos, this annual exercise is more than paperwork — it is a test of integrity at the highest levels.
And for those required to file, the message is simple: comply, disclose, and do it on time.
For more information or to confirm filing obligations, individuals are encouraged to contact the Integrity Commission directly.
Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.
News
CALL 649-338-4008 OR 649-338-2684 IF A CHILD IS AT RISK: TCI Confronts Alarming Reality During Child Abuse Prevention Month
06PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands — The Turks and Caicos Islands, a small British Overseas Territory though it is, is grappling with an unsettling truth: levels of physical and psychological violence against children remain alarmingly high.
Recent regional findings place the country among the most concerning in the Caribbean, with data showing that eight to nine out of
every ten children experience some form of violent discipline — whether physical punishment or emotional harm.
It is a reality the Department of Family and Children Services is not taking lightly.
As the country marks Child Abuse Prevention Month 2026 under the theme “Positive Childhoods Start with Us,” officials are pushing beyond awareness and into action.
Director of DFCS, Ashley Adams Forbes, said changing that reality requires action from the entire community.
“Positive childhoods are not guaranteed—they are built when communities choose to show up for families and protect their children. When we listen, when we care, and when we speak up for a child in need, we may be changing the course of a life.”
Minister with responsibility for DFCS, Shaun D. Malcolm, warned that the consequences of inaction extend beyond individual families.
“Protecting our children is the most urgent duty we share as a nation. When any child is unsafe, our entire society is at risk.”
But beyond the messaging and observances, the Department is making it clear: residents have a role to play — and the tools to act.
Contact lines are open for those who suspect abuse, neglect or risk:
- Providenciales: 649-338-4008
- Grand Turk: 649-338-2684
Officials say even uncertainty should not silence action — reporting concerns can be the first step in protecting a child.
Across the islands, the call is for stronger families, more attentive communities and a willingness to intervene when something is not right. Because while policies and programmes matter, it is often the decisions made in homes, schools and neighbourhoods that determine whether a child feels safe — or suffers in silence.
The message this April is clear.
Positive childhoods do not happen by chance.
They are built — or broken — by the choices adults make every day.
And in Turks and Caicos, the moment to choose differently is now.
Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.
-
News7 days agoGOLD & SILVER – Hall & Guerrier Fly High for Turks and Caicos at CARIFTA 2026
-
News7 days agoCALL 649-338-4008 OR 649-338-2684 IF A CHILD IS AT RISK: TCI Confronts Alarming Reality During Child Abuse Prevention Month
-
Independent writer6 days agoThe Rise of Right-Wing Populism and What It Could Mean for the Turks and Caicos Islands
-
News1 week agoBeaches Turks & Caicos, FIU train next generation of hospitality leaders in Providenciales
-
Bahamas News7 days agoFNM’S $200 CHILD SUPPORT PLAN SPARKS DEBATE AS PLP QUESTIONS FUNDING AND SCOPE
-
Bahamas News7 days agoFuel Pain at The Pump: Global Tensions Drive Prices Up as Bahamians Feel the Squeeze
-
News7 days agoBirthright Citizenship Unchanged as U.S. Supreme Court Weighs Case, Majority of Americans Oppose Ending Policy
-
News7 days agoDECLARATIONS DUE: INTEGRITY COMMISSION CALLS PUBLIC OFFICIALS TO ACCOUNT