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.
The Bahamas, August 27, 2026 – The Royal Bahamas Police Force wishes to inform members of the public that several individuals are scheduled to appear before the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 27th August 2026, at 12:00 noon.
The individuals and charges are as follows:
An 18-year-old female is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
Three (3) counts of Murder
Three (3) counts of Attempted Murder
Three (3) counts of Possession of a Firearm with Intent to Endanger Life
Three (3) counts of Possession of an Unlicensed Firearm
Two (2) counts of Possession of Ammunition
Armed Robbery
Abetment to Armed Robbery
Stealing
Receiving
The charges stem from three separate shooting incidents and an armed robbery that occurred on Friday, 21st August 2026, and Saturday, 22nd August 2026.
The first shooting occurred in the area of Soldier Road and Baillou Hill Road, resulting in the death of a 51-year-old male.
The second shooting occurred in the area of Joe Farrington Road, resulting in the death of a 52-year-old male.
The third shooting occurred in the area of Gladstone Road, resulting in the death of a 36-year-old male.
The armed robbery occurred at a business establishment in the area of Carmichael Road and Baillou Hill Road.
A 21-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on one charge of:
- Murder
The charge stems from a shooting incident that occurred on Tuesday, 21st July 2026, in the area of Samson Street, Nassau Village, which resulted in the death of a 28-year-old male.
A 32-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
- Murder
- Attempted Murder
These charges stem from a shooting incident that occurred on Wednesday, 24th December 2025, in the area of Graham Drive, Yellow Elder, which resulted in the death of a 25-year-old male.
RBPF, PACD
by Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
PROVIDENCIALES, TCI — In a country where government press conferences are virtually non-existent, ministers are often difficult for
journalists to access and regular broadcast television news has disappeared, TCI Innovation, Technology and Energy Minister E. Jay Saunders has challenged Caribbean media to become “impossible to ignore.”
Speaking at the Caribbean Broadcasting Union gathering, Saunders argued that the Caribbean does not have a relevance problem but a “discoverability and positioning problem.”
Discoverability is precisely the issue in Saunders’ home country. Even Government’s own attempts at video news broadcasting have struggled against the realities of consistently producing a daily, weekly or even monthly newscast.
The difficulties confronting TCI media extend well beyond algorithms: limited advertising revenue, underfunding, shortages of trained professionals and insufficient human capacity leave newsrooms struggling for both staff and stamina.
Then there is the reality of operating in one of the region’s smallest societies. Politicians, journalists, advertisers, businesses and the subjects of stories often exist within the same tight economic and social circles. A controversial report that might create a ripple elsewhere can produce a tsunami in TCI, intensifying concerns among journalists about commercial and professional victimisation.
Saunders believes AI can help.
He urged Caribbean media to use the technology to transform one original story into television, radio, web, podcast, social and translated content without multiplying newsroom workload.
He also wants regional journalism structured so AI systems can find, understand and trust Caribbean sources, moving media beyond traditional SEO into Answer Engine Optimisation.
His ultimate message was emphatic: “Use AI not to make Caribbean media more artificial — but to make Caribbean voices more visible.”
For Turks and Caicos media, however, becoming visible may require more than technology. It requires an environment in which journalism can survive.
That last sentence is where I think we land the plane. It acknowledges that EJ actually has some us
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
