TCI Police Joining Cyber Fight

Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, September 9, 2022 – There is a possibility the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force will begin to use cyber technology to access the private movements and communications of suspected criminals via their devices or internet presence, and the equipment to do so may already be on island.

The information was shared by Governor Nigel Dakin in a press conference on Monday addressing security measures to be implemented in the islands.  The press conference followed a deadly weekend in Five Cays where four people were killed.

Dakin had eight ‘immediate actions’ to reduce crime.  In explaining immediate action number seven, the Co-chair of the Security Council said this, “We now have in place the agreements and technical capability to allow us to intercept, track and analyze those who are involved in gangs and serious organized crime, including human smugglers and those bringing in arms, ammunition and drugs.”

The governor said the only thing preventing the use of  this new capability was the legislation to permit it.

This legislation, which he described as ‘best of breed in the Caribbean’, has already been drafted, and is on its way to Cabinet.

Dakin noted that the Premier in particular was anxious to get the legislation passed.

“It will protect the Islands not only from those who believe they have the free run of our streets, but also those who believe they can communicate and coordinate their illegal activities internally and internationally, with impunity through the telecommunications world.”

Dakin did not specify what these new capabilities were, or what safeguards would be put in place to  ensure they could not be used against innocent residents.  He did maintain that this was only one of the new initiatives in the country’s arsenal to protect residents.