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Crime

Statement by Commissioner of Police Trevor Botting

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#TurksandCaicos, November 2, 2022 – Good evening Turks and Caicos, its Wednesday 2nd November 2022.

The murder of three people, two adults and a child in Dock Yard yesterday was a horrendous act of violence that shocked the TCI and the region of Caribbean countries. This incident also left a seven-year-old girl seriously injured and traumatized.

It’s hard to comprehend the depravity and callousness of the individuals who carried out this attack. No matter the motivation or target behind these murders, innocent lives were ruthlessly taken.

Investigators have an open mind as to why these people were targeted; it may be that this attack is not linked to the gang related violence which the Force is currently fighting against, but was driven by other motivation. Whilst I know how challenging it is to provide information in a small community where there is genuine fear, I am again asking you to help where you can; if you know anything about this incident, an incident that led to the death of an innocent child , I implore you to tell us what you know, either directly, anonymously or through crime stoppers.

It is widely reported that a number of calls were made to the Force Control Room during the evening of Monday 31st October, reporting the sound of gunshots in the Timber Crest area of Kew Town. There is a strong possibility that these gunshots were related to the attack that led to the deaths of the three people discovered in Dockyard during the early morning of the 1st November.

Comment has also been made that Police Officers did not respond to these reports.

This is not true. Police Patrols did attend the area of Timber Crest and searched the immediate area. The vehicle was found outside of this immediate search area by members of the public the following morning.

As a learning organization and in the interests of transparency, the Police response to the calls regarding gunshots being heard during the evening of the 31st October is under a review, so we can establish how we dealt with that call and identify where we could have enhanced our initial response.

What we can confirm is, that a seriously injured seven-year-old girl was alone in a car for a long period of time, knowing that her mother and brother, along with a male involved were dead.

Given that fact, and given the obvious trauma and distress of that seven-year-old child, you will be aware that a number of persons who were on the scene, when the vehicle was found chose to take photographs and videos of the dead and the seriously injured child inside the vehicle and circulate them widely, rather than provide immediate assistance and support to the child at the time when she was at her most vulnerable. At a time when she needed a human touch, a show of humanity and reassurance. Such photos and videos were further recirculated through social media and chat groups.

Some are justifying their actions by saying it is in the public interest. However, any public interest must be balanced against the interests of those involved. It is certainly the view of myself and my Force Executive colleagues that the taking and circulating of those photographs served no purpose and it was certainly not in the public interest. It was definitely not in the interests of a seriously injured and traumatized child.

It is often quoted that ‘THE TRUE MEASURE OF ANY SOCIETY CAN BE FOUND IN HOW IT TREATS ITS MOST VULNERABLE MEMBERS’ If this is true, and I think it is, members of this society failed in that moment; a moment when a seven-year-old girl was at her most vulnerable.

I applaud you if you did not pass on the photos and videos and I salute you if you challenged the persons who sent them to you as to how inappropriate the images were.

To those who did take, circulate and recirculate those photographs I would ask that you imagine how you would feel if this was a member of your family, a loved one that was either killed or was in need and others did not help but took photos for circulation.

The Turks and Caicos Islands is a decent, Christian society but if we do not challenge such indecent and unchristian like behaviors,  we run the risk of eroding the very Christian values and decency that we hold dear, that define us.

I sincerely hope that such behavior towards a child in need, or any persons who require help or human kindness is never repeated. I hope that the people involved reflect on what they did and the potentially emotional harm that their actions may have caused.

I do hope in the future that we, as a society. do better in the test as to how we treat out most vulnerable people.

Thank you.

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Crime

TCI Police Report a Rape Conviction, Handfield registered as SEX OFFENDER

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Turks and Caicos, February 8, 2025 – The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force acknowledges the sentencing of convicted rapist ELVETHAN “ALVIN” HANDFIELD to life imprisonment following his guilty plea. Handfield was charged with the following offences: Two Counts of RAPE and Two Counts of USING AN OFFENSIVE WEAPON TO CAUSE FEAR.

The Supreme Court delivered the ruling yesterday (February 6), with Handfield, 47, of Glass Shack, Providenciales, being ineligible for parole until he has served 16 years. Should parole be granted, he will be registered as a sex offender for life.

Acting Superintendent Grantley Williams, Head of Serious Crime, Safeguarding, and Public Protection, stated: “Following an extensive investigation by our Safeguarding and Public Protection Unit, Handfield was charged after a report made by a female victim on April 20, 2024. The victim, after entering a jitney driven by Handfield on April 19, 2024, was taken to his residence in Glass Shack, where she was subjected to sexual assault before being released the following day.

“This heinous act of violence, where Handfield posed as a jitney driver, lured, and assaulted the victim while threatening harm, is despicable. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force commend the victim’s bravery in coming forward, demonstrating immense courage in ensuring that this predator is brought to justice.

We recognize this is a difficult journey, and our Safeguarding and Public Protection Unit officers remain available to support the healing process.

We take this opportunity to urge any victims of sexual violence to come forward. Your reports are vital in removing dangerous offenders from our streets and ensuring the safety of our communities. Our commitment to justice remains unwavering, and we will continue to work tirelessly to protect and safeguard the communities.”

If you have been a victim or know anyone who has been a victim of sexual assault, please get in touch with the police without delay at the Safeguarding and Public Protection Unit at 232- 6696 or the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) at -338-4013.

All calls will be treated with sensitivity and confidentiality.

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Crime

Guilty Plea from Dock Yard Man arrested for Firearm, Ammo

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Turks and Caicos, February 7, 2025 – A 20-year-old Dock Yard male pleaded guilty to four charges today (January 31) following a
robbery which occurred in 2024. JAMES SIMON is expected to be sentenced on April 03rd, 2025, having been convicted for the following offences:

  • One Count Possession of Firearm
  •  One Count Possession of Ammunition
  • One Count Robbery
  • One Count using a Firearm in the Commission of a Serious Offence

Based on the evidence presented before the court, Mr. Simon was arrested on May 02, 2024, along South Dock Road, where he was found with an illegal firearm.

Acting Superintendent in charge of Crime, Safeguarding and Public Protection Grantley Williams said, “Given the prevalence of firearm-related incidents, the Force has successfully removed one more illegal firearm from our streets. I applaud my officers for their vigilance and
dedication to their duty. I urge the public to assist us by reporting illegal firearms—if you have any information, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

Please contact the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477, or you can also anonymously share information via the Crime Stoppers P3 app. Together, we can make the Turks and Caicos Islands safer.”

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Crime

Assault Charge

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***MEDIA RELEASE***

 

Turks and Caicos, February 05th, 2025 – A 50-year-old male will appear before the Grand Turk Magistrate’s Court on February 17, 20225, charged with one count: SEXUAL ASSAULT.

Officers of the Safeguarding and Public Protection Unit charged STEPHEN LYN following a report of sexual touching by a 13-year-old female victim.

The incident allegedly occurred on September 24, 2024.

Mr. Lyn is currently on $5000. bail.

 

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