News
Commissioner of Police Statement on Policing and Security
#TurksandCaicos, October 10, 2022 – Good day Turks and Caicos, it’s Monday 10th October 2022 and I am speaking to you from Police Headquarters with an update on the policing and security situation.
The shooting incidents of last Sunday, (02nd October), remains very shocking. Our thoughts remain with those who died and those who were injured.
Regarding the attack on your Police Officers, the injured officer is making steady progress in his recovery and he is receiving support from his colleagues and medical staff. As a Force, we have been touched by the support given to the officers who continuously place themselves in danger every day and every night to keep you safe. Do not doubt how deeply your support is felt and I ask that this continues over the coming weeks and months.
Your police officers are absolutely committed to dealing with the issues and we will remain resolute in this, despite the abhorrent attack on law enforcement officers a week ago.
In the last seven days, an arrest has been made of a person of interest who remains in custody in connection with their involvement in serious crime, possession of a firearm and ammunition and a quantity of drugs.
In addition, large quality of drugs was also recovered in the Bight area over the weekend and this is now under investigation.
You will be aware following addresses by the Governor, Hon Premier and myself that support had been sought from the region, UK and the US towards policing and other law enforcement activities with an aim to reinforce the capability and capacity of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force in tackling the significant surge in gang related violence.
I was delighted to swear in 24 experienced Police Officers from the Royal Bahamas Police Force who arrived on the Turks and Caicos Islands last week. They have been briefed and are now operationally deployed with their RTCIPF colleagues on the streets and communities of the TCI, both within our Tactical Unit and in our Response and Operational Teams. The team includes two policing K9 dogs to support officers during their work.
Having spent time with them, it gives me great confidence to see how committed, experienced and ready they are to support us in making the TCI safe and secure. I am grateful to the Government of the Bahamas and the Royal Bahamas Police Force Commissioner for their complete support given to the TCI and by extension the Force. Such support reflects the close relationship of our two countries and the already established protocols and partnerships that already exist within law enforcement.
I am also in contact with the Commissioner of Police in Jamaica to discuss how they might support the RTCIPF in the coming weeks and months. Again, I am grateful for the offer of support for us and the assistance from other jurisdictions demonstrates the strength of regional law enforce collaboration.
I believe the contingent from the Royal Bahamas Police Force will make a significant impact on policing operations. Any additional support in terms of armed officers is not being requested at this moment however, this remains under constant review during the period that the team from the Bahamas are with us and beyond their initial deployment.
Additionally, on-going discussions are being held with the UK as to policing support in the near future. The Governor will address this in a statement tomorrow, Tuesday.
I am pleased to update that a large contingent of experienced UK investigators will be arriving in the next three weeks to support the work of my serious crime unit with investigations of murders and gang related activity. This deployment will be of 18 – 24 months and will provide a significant uplift in capacity for the Force. I am again grateful to the UK government for funding this enhancement to policing on the Turks and Caicos Islands.
More broadly, the protection of the border of the Turks and Caicos Islands is important, given we believe that some of the people involved in serious and gang crime are entering the TCI illegally. Our work in protecting the border is being supported by the US Customs and Border Protection who have deployed specialist surveillance aircraft on the Turks and Caicos for at least the next month.
This aircraft is working closely with our Marine Branch to identify and intercept any vessel of interest.
This deployment reflects the strong partnerships with US law enforcement to protect the TCI borders and the region and we are grateful for the continued collaboration.
Whilst the support we have or will be receiving is very welcome, the crime situation remains a concern and we remain steadfast and committed in dealing with the issues for as long as it takes. To be clear, criminals are hiding in plain sight, within some of our communities and we continue to need your help.
I am very thankful for the help we have received to date. The information supplied by you will make a difference. Please continue to tell us what you know, either directly or through Crime Stoppers.
There are other ways you can assist. Criminals are using the roads and despite having an effective CCTV system, it can be challenging to detect them through the use of illegal dark window tints and the absence of number plates attached to their cars. This is compounded by the number of cars, owned by law abiding citizens, who are also using illegal dark tints and who have not yet collected their registration plate from Road Safety.
I am making a direct plea to anyone, who has illegal dark tints. REMOVE THEM IMMEDATELY, by not doing so you are assisting criminals to avoid detection by allowing them to hide and drive amongst us.
Also, please collect your registration plate from Road Safety as a matter of urgency. If you do these two things, we can focus our activity on those who are not complying namely the criminals, and this will assist officers in their work. In the future, I anticipate that the Ordinance will change in relation to dark tints so please make the changes now, help us to better protect you.
By necessity, there will be a zero tolerance where vehicles do not have registration plates or who have illegal tints in their car windows. I make no apology for this. Get your registration plates and remove your tints. Do what you can do to help us.
In summary, the Force is committed to dealing with the crime issues. I have often said we need support given the scale of the surge in gang related serious crime. That support has now arrived and more will follow and these arrangements remain under constant review.
You will see more operational Police Officers on the streets of the Turks and Caicos Islands in the coming weeks and more operations will be undertaken within communities. This is what you can do to help us protect you;
- Ensure your vehicle has a registration plate
- Remove all tints from the front windows of your car or at least those tints which are illegal
- Comply with all instructions from police officers when you are stopped in road checks or other policing activity
- When your vehicle is stopped at night, for your safety, turn on your interior lights so officers can better see you and other people within your car
- Continue to tell us what you know, however, insignificant you think the information is.
Further updates will follow as policing operations continue, day and night across Providenciales and other sister Islands as required. Thank you again for the support given to the men and women of the Force, they are working hard for you.
May god bless you and these beautiful by nature Turks and Caicos Islands.
Thank you
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands— Thursday, 24 September 2026: The Department of Disaster Management and
Emergencies (DDME) was invited by Digicel to deliver a hurricane preparedness presentation to members of their staff.
The engaging 90-minute presentation formed part of DDME’s ongoing public education and awareness efforts aimed at strengthening preparedness across the Turks and Caicos Islands. During the session, Digicel employees were provided with important information on the potential impacts of hurricanes and other emergencies, as well as the actions that individuals and organisations can take to reduce risks and protect lives, property and essential operations.
The presentation emphasised that preparedness is a shared responsibility and should begin well before a storm or other emergency threatens the country. Staff were encouraged to understand the risks associated with hurricanes, remain informed through official sources and develop personal and workplace preparedness plans.
DDME recognises the important role that businesses play in national disaster preparedness and resilience. Corporate organisations are
encouraged to establish and regularly review emergency plans that clearly outline responsibilities, communication procedures, evacuation arrangements, business continuity measures and recovery actions.
“Preparedness is most effective when it is planned and practised before an emergency occurs,” Jason Hills, DDME Director. “Organisations that invest in preparedness today are better positioned to protect their people, maintain essential services and support the wider community during times of crisis.”
Corporate organisations, schools and government departments interested in DDME’s assistance with hurricane preparedness training, emergency drills support or assistance with developing a business contingency plan are encouraged to contact the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies via email at ddme.tci@gmail.com.
Caribbean News
Royal Caribbean Group and Sandals Resorts Announce Landmark Partnership to Accelerate Their Leading Vacation Experiences
Royal Caribbean Group Investment to Advance Sandals and Beaches’ Growth and Broaden the Group’s Vacation Portfolio
Montego Bay, Jamaica and Miami, September 24, 2026 – Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL) and Sandals Resorts today announced the signing of an agreement to form a partnership in the all-inclusive resort space with a 50% investment from Royal Caribbean Group. Building on Sandals and Beaches Resorts’ more than four decades of leadership in Caribbean hospitality, the joint venture will create new opportunities for continued resort growth while broadening the experiences across Royal Caribbean Group’s vacation platform.
The partnership brings together two of the travel industry’s most celebrated vacation companies, pairing Sandals and Beaches’ all-inclusive
resort expertise with Royal Caribbean Group’s vacation platform, including industry-leading brands – Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea – a portfolio of private destinations, new river cruising offering, and an industry-first loyalty program. United in a shared history in the Caribbean and connected by a love for their communities, the companies will offer travelers an unparalleled collection of cruise, private destination and resort experiences, serving guests across more vacation occasions and establishing their undisputed leadership in Caribbean vacations.
The joint venture expands Royal Caribbean Group into an adjacent vacation category, growing its participation in the approximately $2 trillion global vacation market, and meets the growing global demand for Sandals and Beaches Resorts by accelerating their expansion. The partnership will include Sandals and Beaches’ collection of premier all-inclusive properties across the Caribbean, and the companies will explore opportunities to broaden distribution, deepen guest engagement, and make it easier for travelers to discover vacation experiences offered across both portfolios.
“For nearly 60 years, we’ve reimagined what a vacation can be, constantly expanding the ways we inspire our guests to explore, connect and create lifelong memories,” said Jason Liberty, Chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. “We have been building a vacation platform that brings joy to millions of people around the world and creates meaningful relationships that last with our guests. Our partnership with
Sandals and Beaches Resorts is an important next step on that journey – bringing together two iconic leading vacation companies to further strengthen and grow one of the most admired resort portfolios in the world. The Stewart family has created powerful and beloved brands, and we are honored to build on that legacy. Together, we see tremendous opportunity to expand the reach of Sandals and Beaches Resorts and continue turning the vacation of a lifetime into a lifetime of vacations.”
“My father, Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, founded Sandals Resorts with the belief that a company built in the Caribbean could stand on the world stage alongside the most respected names in hospitality. Today is proof of how far that vision can go,” said Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts. “This partnership is the natural next step in building on that conviction. It gives us the ability to grow faster with a partner that shares our values of exceptional hospitality, long-term investment, and the power of enduring brands. Together, we will introduce more guests to Sandals and Beaches Resorts while creating even more extraordinary experiences for those who have made our resorts part of their lives for decades.” Stewart added, “As we continue to grow, we will remain true to what has always defined us: delivering authentic vacations that exceed expectations while creating opportunities for our team members, travel advisor partners and the communities we call home. The future has never been brighter, and I know this moment would make my father incredibly proud.”
The joint venture will be governed by a board under the shared leadership of Stewart and Liberty. Stewart will maintain a leadership role in
guiding the company’s long-term strategic growth as Executive Chairman of Sandals and Beaches Resorts. Existing reservations, loyalty programs, resort operations and cruise operations will continue as usual, with the partnership bringing additional resources to support future opportunities.
Under the terms of the agreement, Royal Caribbean Group will acquire a 50% equity interest in Sandals and Beaches Resorts for approximately $3 billion, representing a forward EBITDA multiple of approximately 10x. Royal Caribbean Group has secured committed debt financing from Morgan Stanley to fund the investment. The transaction is expected to close in early 2027, subject to customary approvals and closing conditions, and is expected to be accretive to earnings next year.
BofA Securities and PJT Partners acted as financial advisors, and Latham & Watkins and Jones Day acted as legal advisors to the Sandals Group. Perella Weinberg Partners and Morgan Stanley acted as financial advisors and Kirkland & Ellis LLP acted as legal advisor to Royal Caribbean Group.
PHOTO CAPTION: Jason Liberty, Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, and Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts, mark the signing of an agreement to form a landmark partnership that expands Royal Caribbean Group into the all-inclusive resort space and supports the future growth of Sandals and Beaches Resorts. The signing took place at Royal Caribbean Group’s new headquarters in Miami, with the city’s skyline in the background.
The Caribbean tourism deal first reported as a possibility on Tuesday is now a signed agreement. Royal Caribbean Group plans to pay
approximately US$3 billion for a 50% stake in Sandals and Beaches Resorts, putting the value of the business at about US$6 billion. The purchase is expected to close in early 2027, subject to approvals.
Founded in Jamaica by the late Gordon “Butch” Stewart in 1981, the resort business has a presence across nine Caribbean destinations, including Jamaica, The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos. Sandals has described its workforce as nearly 20,000 people, most of them Caribbean nationals.
“My father, Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, founded Sandals Resorts with the belief that a company built in the Caribbean could stand on the world stage alongside the most respected names in hospitality,” said Adam Stewart in the announcement carried by PR Newswire. He will remain executive chairman, while the Stewart family retains a stake. The companies say existing reservations and resort operations will continue as usual.
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