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Why Didn’t TCI Police END Rumours about Police Woman? She says she is cleared

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By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

 

#TurksandCaicos, December 20, 2022 – A former woman cop who had public allegations made against her regarding involvement with alleged “gang leader”, Brandon Rahming has spoken out after weeks of silence saying she has been cleared by the TCI Police.

The Royal TCI Police have however not informed of the conclusion in the probe into the former member of the Force.

Former police officer Leonie Higgs-James, who is married, had a criminal investigation opened against her after the allegations that she had a relationship with Rahming and may have been tipping him off, surfaced on social media.

Higgs-James’ attorney Lara Maroof-Misick said her client had resigned before the rumors which had occurred in early December and before Rahming’s death.

“Please be aware that these claims are all completely FALSE.  Mrs. Higgs was not in any form of relationship with wanted criminal Brandon Rahming.  Mrs. Higgs had never spoken to, communicated with, or met Brandon Rahming.  The claim that there was an internal police email stating that messages were found between her and Brandon Rahming was a totally false claim.”

Her attorney said that the police had conducted its investigations and found there were no messages between the “gang leader” and Higgs-James and she was not a suspect in the case.

She described the social media claims as “malicious”.

“Her resignation had nothing to do with Brandon Rahming and in fact she gave notice of resignation weeks before his death. It is believed that a malicious person created and posted these false claims in order to have the community turn on Mrs. Higgs and to destroy her reputation; these claims gained momentum as people shared these posts over and over without knowing whether they were factually correct.”

Now that the former officer has been cleared of any wrong doing, according the media statement, her attorney said a criminal investigation has been launched into the origin of the rumors.

“These false social media posts have caused immense distress for Mrs. Higgs and her family and caused them to fear for their safety.  We hope that this press release will help to clarify the true position for the public.  We also hope that those responsible are held accountable for their actions which have caused so much unnecessary distress,” the attorney said

Notably the rumors contained allegations that evidence had been found and shared between the police on their internal servers. In announcing that they were launching a criminal investigation against the officer they did not clear of these rumors.  They have also not taken the chance to address the public and clear Higgs-James’ name despite finding no evidence of her being involved with the gang leader

The attorney described this as regrettable and expressed hope the Police would address it soon.

Caribbean News

Caribbean Surrounded by Water, But Still Critically Insecure — Experts Call for Urgent Action

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Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

July 19, 2025 – Despite being surrounded by oceans and known for lush, rain-fed landscapes, the Caribbean is among the most water-insecure regions in the world — a paradox that experts say cannot be ignored.

At a recent regional workshop hosted by the Global Water Partnership-Caribbean (GWP-C), water and climate professionals from across Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS) issued a sobering call to action: our islands may be full of water, but our people are increasingly without it.

“Water security is not just a development issue—it’s the foundation of our resilience, health, economy, and environment,” said Professor Paulette Bynoe, Chair of GWP-C. “Caribbean SIDS face rising climate threats, aging infrastructure, and chronic underinvestment. The time to act is now.”

The region loses up to 60% of treated water before it reaches taps due to leaky systems and outdated infrastructure. Meanwhile, many households across the Caribbean still lack consistent access to clean, piped water, despite frequent rainfall.

The workshop, supported by the UN Environment Programme, focused on implementing Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) — a holistic and participatory approach to managing water systems. According to Dr. Roxanne Graham-Victor, Regional Coordinator for GWP-C, the gathering provided a “space to bring your country’s story and real-world solutions to the table.”

UNEP Caribbean chief Vincent Sweeney praised the forum as a launchpad for peer learning and concrete planning. Facilitator Chris Corbin urged countries to shift from endless planning to “inclusive, realistic, short-term actions” — supported by longer-term strategies that attract funding.

The event ended with participating countries pledging to strengthen cooperation, invest in climate-resilient infrastructure, and roll out mini action plans tailored to their national challenges.

The takeaway: in the Caribbean, water isn’t scarce — but security is. And the time to fix it is now.

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Caribbean News

Five Years to Go, But World Is Falling Behind on Global Development Goals

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Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

 

July 19, 2025 – The world is officially off track in delivering on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with just five years left until the 2030 deadline. That’s the sobering message from the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, as they launched the SDG Report 2025 on July 14.

“Only 35 percent of SDG targets are on track or making moderate progress. Nearly half are moving too slowly, and 18 percent are going in reverse,” Guterres stated. “We are in a global development emergency.”

The report outlines real, measurable wins: more than 110 million additional children are in school since 2015. New HIV infections are down 40 percent since 2010. Electricity access now reaches 92 percent of the global population, and 45 countries have achieved universal electricity. Internet use has soared by 70 percent in a decade, now reaching 68 percent of the world’s people. Child marriage is declining, and more girls are staying in school. Globally, renewable energy capacity is growing, especially in developing nations.

“These gains show that investments in development and inclusion yield results,” Guterres added.

But the challenges dwarf the progress.

Over 800 million people remain trapped in extreme poverty. Billions lack access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene. Women continue to spend 2.5 times more hours than men doing unpaid care and domestic work. Climate change is accelerating, with 2024 confirmed as the hottest year on record—1.55°C above pre-industrial levels. Meanwhile, debt burdens are worsening: in 2023, low- and middle-income countries paid $1.4 trillion in debt servicing—draining resources needed for development.

The Secretary-General pointed to one core issue: financing. The global SDG financing gap for developing nations now stands at $4 trillion annually. Worse still, Haiti is the least-funded of all humanitarian responses globally—an example of how international priorities are dangerously imbalanced.

“There is something fundamentally wrong in the structure of the global economic and financial system,” Guterres said. “We need reforms. Debt relief. Tripling development bank lending. Fairer trade and access to capital.”

The SDG report proposes a shift toward six “transformational pathways” in food systems, energy, digital access, education, jobs, and climate. These, it argues, will accelerate progress across all other goals—if funded properly and backed by political will.

Guterres urged global leaders to use upcoming moments, including the World Social Summit (November 4–6 in Doha, Qatar), the High-Level Political Forum, and the Food Systems Stocktake, to commit to urgent action.

“The Sustainable Development Goals are still within reach,” he concluded. “But only if we act—with urgency, unity, and unwavering resolve.”

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Caribbean News

Haiti: Four Months from Elections, But Starving, Terrorized, and Teetering on Collapse

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Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

July 19, 2025 – Haiti is just four months away from general elections scheduled for November 15, yet the nation is paralyzed by hunger, violence, and despair. The country is facing a humanitarian disaster on nearly every front, while hopes for democratic renewal hang in the balance.

“We are on the brink of famine.” — CARICOM Communiqué, July 2025

According to the United Nations, over 5.7 million Haitians — nearly half the population — are starving. Children go days without food. Women and girls suffer horrific violence. Families are displaced. And an overwhelmed police force has all but collapsed.

Starvation and Desperation

Humanitarian agencies report families surviving on a single meal a day or none at all. In key farming regions like Kenscoff and Artibonite — once the breadbaskets of Haiti — food production has halted due to gang activity and conflict. The UN and CARICOM have both warned that parts of Haiti are “bordering on famine.”

While the UN World Food Programme has reached over 1.1 million people since January, aid workers say they’ve only been able to support 38% of those targeted for food assistance — due to underfunding, insecurity, and gang blockades.

Lawlessness and Fear

Gang violence has claimed over 5,000 lives in the past year alone. Women and girls are facing systematic abuse, from mass rapes to kidnappings. Children are being recruited into armed groups, and the elderly and disabled have been left with no protection.

UN reports show that nearly 90% of Port-au-Prince is controlled by armed groups. Less than a quarter of hospitals remain fully operational. The national police force has lost thousands of officers since 2021, and morale is at its lowest point in years.

Is the Security Mission Working?                                                                                                                                                                The Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission, led by Kenya, was launched with global approval and promises of reinforcements. But nearly a year into the effort, only 991 personnel are deployed — less than 40% of what was pledged. Equipment and funding are dangerously low. Two bases have been established, yet gangs still rule the capital.                                                                                                                                                        CARICOM, the Organization of American States (OAS), and the Transitional Presidential Council continue to push for stability, but international response remains sluggish. Haiti’s 2025 humanitarian appeal is the least-funded in the world, with just 2% of the needed $425 million received.

Can Elections Even Happen?

Despite plans for elections in November and a new presidential transition by February 7, 2026, many Haitians are doubtful. With millions displaced, security in shambles, and widespread hunger, the feasibility of a free and fair vote is under serious question.

“We just need more money to do our work,” said a UN spokesperson this week. “The world cannot look away.”

At a Glance: Haiti in Crisis

  • 5.7M+ people starving
  • 5,000+ killed by gangs since 2024
  • 991 MSS troops deployed (of 2,500 planned)
  • 90% of Port-au-Prince under gang control
  • Less than 25% of hospitals fully functional
  • 2% of humanitarian food appeal funded

Sources:

UN Press Briefing, July 16, 2025
CARICOM Communiqué, July 8, 2025
Reuters, Associated Press, UN OCHA, Amnesty International

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