News
Commissioner of Police Statement – (October 26th, 2022)
#TurksandCaicos, October 26, 2022 – Good afternoon Turks and Caicos, it’s Wednesday 26th October 2022 and I am here to update you a series of exercises which were conducted within the last week.
Policing operations have been undertaken by teams comprising of Officers from the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force and our colleagues from the Royal Bahamas Police Force.
I remain grateful to the Commissioner of Police for the Royal Bahamas Police Force Mr. Clayton Fernander and the Bahamian Government for their continued support to the Turks and Caicos Islands. Our Bahamian colleagues are working side by side with local officers, tackling criminality and criminals. Our combined team remain relentless in pursuing those who carry firearms, those who deal in drugs, those who are seeking to commit robberies and burglaries and those that are causing fear and harm.
If you are involved in crime, don’t think our operations will be stopping anytime soon. If you have a family member involved in crime, expect officers to be at your door, expect them to be in your house. Criminals cannot hide amongst
family and families cannot hide criminals.
Officers on the ground continue to be supported through our aerial colleagues from US Law Enforcement and UK Royal Nay Wildcat helicopter. These support mechanisms are protecting the border of the TCI, which includes the routes frequented by criminals traversing the TCI by illegally entering and leaving. We have strong collaborative relationships with our US colleagues and I anticipate that their support will continue into the future hovering in the TCI skies.
In terms of investigations, it is expected that a large number of investigators will be arriving from the UK and funded by the UK Government. These officers will support our local investigation teams, ensuring the results of their hard work is supported by robust and thorough investigations, thereby causing criminals face the full force of the law.
In terms of operations, the last week has been a major success. A mixture of both visible and covert operations have been carried out. All of which was intelligence led targeting criminals.
An operational summary from the last 10 days are as follows:
- 205 vehicles have been checked;
- Numerous fixed penalty tickets issued;
- Illegal tints removed from 23 vehicles;
- 20 Drug searches;
- Eight persons detained under Immigration Legalization;
- Four warrants executed in relations to searches for firearms;
- Two firearms and ammunition seized;
- Large quantity of drugs seized including cannabis, cocaine and amphetamines;
- Seven persons arrested for drugs and firearms offences and
- Laptops and cell phones seized for examination
- Joint Police and Immigration operation resulted in the detention of 21 people believed to be working illegally
The last ten days has seen very little criminal activity and we are working hard to keep it that way.
I can report that earlier this morning (Wednesday 26th October,2022) a report was made of an attempted robbery in the South Dock area. The people involved escaped from the suspects without being robbed or harmed and this is under investigation.
Additionally, this week, the RTCIPF is also investigating a shooting incident in Kew Town which resulted in one man being injured. The circumstances of this incident are not yet clear. The RTCIPF are building a strong, intelligence network concerning criminal activity and I wish to recognise the overall support that we are receiving from the public, both in terms of your public gratitude for the hard work undertaken by the officers and the information that we are being provided with.
I especially want to mention the generous tokens of thanks from local businesses. Never underestimate how deeply the support from our community is felt by the Force.
We truly appreciate building collaborative efforts within our communities, which is a critical factor in ensuring the TCI is a safe and secure place to live, work, invest and visit.
You will be aware that the recent Gun Amnesty has concluded. No weapons were surrendered, which is
disappointing. However, the Amnesty provided persons with a route to hand over illegal weapons without any threat of prosecution. That opportunity has now passed.
Any person found in possession of a firearm will now face the full force of the sentencing powers of our judges.
Furthermore, progress has been made on the legislative front with the introduction of stricter penalties and amendments, which will greatly aid in the fight against crime.
The House of Assembly last week passed various national security legislation, to deter criminals -by increasing sentences for persons found in possession of firearms and ammunition- and aid the police force in its duties.
Criminals, should you be in possession of a firearm or ammunition on the TCI, there is a high percentage you will spend a large part of your life jailed.
Additional legislation passed which will aid the fight against crime include: Firearms (Amendment) Bill; Police Force (Amendment) Bill; Interception of Communications Bill; Anti-Gang Bill and the Firearms Related Offences (Detention and Bail) (Amendment) Bill.
You will continue to see officers on the road, undertaking checks on vehicles, armed officers carrying out operations to neutralize criminals, 24-hour air support aiding our operational teams and keeping our borders safe and secure. I urge you again to get your number plates fitted and remove your illegal tints. We will continue to target vehicles. If you refuse to comply then fixed penalty notice will be likely issued.
Please keep supporting our officers who are working day and night to protect you. Please keep telling us what you know, I assure you the information is making a real difference. And finally, please know that we remain determined, resolute and committed to keeping the TCI safe and secure.
The RTCIPF remains adamant on stifling the ease of access of illegal firearms and ammunition in our communities.
I will aim to keep you updated regularly with what we are doing to keep you safe and the results of policing activities.
Thank you and may God bless you and these beautiful by nature Turks and Caicos Islands.
News
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL STATEMENT REGARDING RECENT THREATS MADE AGAINST TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS AIRPORTS AND SCHOOLS
May 6th, 2024 – As co-chairs of the National Security Council, Her Excellency the Governor and the Honourable Premier condemn strongly recent threats made against Turks and Caicos Islands airports and schools.
We have zero tolerance for these disruptions and the alarm that they cause. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) continues to work closely with partner agencies and will keep the public updated as we manage the situation.
The National Security Council wishes to reassure residents, travellers and parents that the safety and security of our Islands is its highest priority.
All appropriate measures are being taken to address these threats and all required security protocols are being followed.
The Airports Authority and the Ministry of Education, with school principals are collaborating with the RTCIPF investigations.
We encourage the public to be extra vigilant against phishing and malicious emails and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
We appreciate the understanding of the public as we work to ensure the safety and well-being of our airports, schools and communities.
Press Release
PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS (May 3rd, 2024) The Turks and Caicos Islands’ Grace Bay Beach has once again been recognised among the top beaches in the world.
The World’s 50 Best Beaches has listed Grace Bay Beach among the top beaches in the world.
Grace Bay Beach, located on the island of Providenciales was listed at number 17 on the annual list.
The World’s 50 Best Beaches list, sponsored by Banana Boat, is a collaboration with over 1,000 of the world’s leading travel influencers and professionals.
The World’s 50 Best Beaches 2024 is a reflection of the opinions and experiences of top travel influencers and professionals around the world. The beaches were ranked according to eight important criteria: unique characteristics, wildlife, untouched, soundtrack of nature, easy to enter the water, often calm water, not too crowded and frequency of idyllic conditions.
Grace Bay Beach also featured among the top 20 in the 2023 World’s 50 Best Beaches list.
This is the latest accolade for Grace Bay Beach this year. Known for its powdery white sand and breathtakingly turquoise blue water, the famous beach was adjudged the number one Caribbean beach in February in Tripadvisor’s® Travelers’ Choice® Awards and Best of the Best for 2024, ranking number five among the Top 25 Best of the Best Beaches in the world.
In January 2024, Grace Bay was recognised as the #9 Best Beach in the Caribbean in the 10Best Reader’s Choice with Bambarra Beach in Middle Caicos ranked at #2.
Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Josephine Connolly said she is proud of the continued recognition of the leading beach in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
“As a destination that prioritises sustainable development and environmental preservation, the fact that Grace Bay Beach features consistently as one of the top beaches in the world stands as a testament to our commitment to stay “Beautiful by Nature”. I urge visitors to come to the Turks and Caicos Islands to experience this and many other of our beautiful beaches across the Turks and Caicos Islands,” said the Minister.
Tine Holst, Co-Founder of The World’s 50 Best Beaches, said the list is meant to inspire travellers.
She said: “Our 2024 list is a reflection of the countless days spent by our judges, Beach Ambassadors and World’s 50 Best team discovering beaches around the world. The list will help inspire travelers to leave the beaten path behind and enjoy the most stunning and relaxing beaches on earth”.
Read World’s 50 Best Beaches description of Grace Bay Beach here.
News
Family of 16 yo Tourist claims negligence in jet ski death; TCI Coroner’s Court hearing evidence
Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, May 2, 2024 – The family of a 16-year-old who died in Grand Turk six years ago while on a Carnival Cruise into Grand Turk is a little closer to closure as the Turks and Caicos Islands Coroner’s Court has opened his case for an inquest.
“On Wednesday, May 16th, 2018, at 11:30 a.m. Police and Emergency Medical Officials responded to a two-jet-ski collision that left a 16-year-old male dead, near the Cruise Terminal in Grand Turk. Two people were involved in the collision. The second male did not receive any injuries. This incident is under Police investigation.”
That was the brief police report in the aftermath of Nicholas Twyman’s death.
In the comments dozens of residents and visitors claim to have been on the scene that day, as the boy was pulled ashore, some trying to assist while others looked on, horrified.
Coroner Mickia Mills called up the case on March 21, 2024 almost six years after the incident occurred. Mills is in charge of finding out what exactly happened that day in Grand Turk and whether there was any negligence or if it was simply a terrible accident. 
That verdict will be for the coroner and her potential jurors to decide. However, the family has shared their version of what happened that day.
A lawsuit filed in Florida Courts in October 2019 (Twyman v. Carnival Corp) detailed the heartbreaking hours that led up to the death of Nicholas. In it, the plaintiffs, listed as Gyjuanna TWYMAN and Michael Twyman, claim that they docked in Grand Turk and were curious about using the jet skis; both parents and the son were told by the Carnival team aboard the ship that there was not a formal shore excursion in Grand Turk involving jet skis, but that jet skis would be available for rent by the hour.
The family from Indiana claims three jet skis were rented, one for Nicholas, another for his father, Michael, and another for a different passenger, while their mother remained ashore. Wet Money Enterprise is listed as the jet ski company.
The family says they were given little instruction on using the Jet Skis, especially their son who was a new rider. The lawsuit maintains that Michael was not given any instructions other than being told where the kill switch was and not to ride too close to the cruise ship.
Sometime during his excursion, the young man crashed into the other jet ski. The family claims that neither Carnival Cruises nor representatives from the jet ski company responded. They say it was his father who spun around on his own jet ski, dived into the water for his son, and brought him to shore.
Once there, it was the young man’s mother, a registered nurse, who started emergency medical care.
When Turks and Caicos’s EMS did arrive after 15 minutes the family claims they were unsure how to use certain medical implements and had to be directed by the distressed mother.
The court documents list the cause of death for the young man as blunt force trauma and drowning, similar to what is listed in the TCI courts.
Coroner Mills, who took up her position in 2024, will oversee the proceedings which continued on Tuesday, April 23rd.
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