TCI Police Commissioner Botting thanks Bahamas contingent during special parade

By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, December 20, 2022 – Police Commissioner Trevor Botting publicly extended his thanks to the Bahamian contingent on Saturday during the TCI’s Police Parade, recognizing the officers who were instrumental in subduing crime late this year.

The officers arrived in the Turks and Caicos in early October at the height of the murder spree that began on September 3rd and were sworn into the TCI force leaving their families and friends behind in The Bahamas.

Botting showed appreciation in his speech.

“To you, the officers from the Bahamas, I say this; thank you for your commitment, courage and support during your deployment to the Turks and Caicos Islands.  I knew the people of the Bahamas were very close cousins to us, but all 24 of you are truly brothers and sisters to us within the RTCIPF.  The communities of the TCI, my Officers and I are so very grateful for all that you have done and will do in the future in support of policing here on the TCI.  You have done your country, your Force, your commissioner and yourselves proud in the way you have undertaken your challenging deployment, I salute and thank all of you.  I have been proud to call myself your ‘temporary’ commissioner during your time with us,” he said.

The arrival of the Bahamian officers showed a marked turn in the trajectory of crime in the TCI, what the police describe as ‘significant arrests’ were made and shootings slowed. While incidents did occur after more arrests were made and the island’s most wanted man was taken down in a joint operation.

Botting went on to extend thanks specifically to Bahamian Prime Minister Philip Davis; Wayne Munroe, the Minister of National Security for The Bahamas and the Commissioner of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, Clayton Fernander “for their support in deploying 24 of their best officers to the TCI to work with the men and women of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands.”