Crime
Police Week Speech brings welcomed report for Police Marine Branch
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, March , 2023 – All around growth for the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force and its initiatives is what Commissioner Trevor Botting is promising with the revelation of several personnel additions in his address to the nation during Police Week.
The Marine Branch of the police in particular, is getting some much needed support.
“We are currently procuring new vessels for our Marine Branch, along with recruiting 12 marine officers for the team. The UK Government is funding a dedicated and highly technical aircraft for the Force to provide a critical capability to detect threats at sea,” he explained. 
The capabilities of the Marine Branch have been a sore spot for some residents because as the team in Providenciales repeatedly proves its efficiency and indispensability, residents in Grand Turk remain without the aid of their own branch in emergencies. It makes the announcement of expansion doubly significant.
More expansions are coming on land, with the promised UK backup, finally active, shared Botting.
“Whilst colleagues from the RBPF came to support us so magnificently, there have been other key additions to the ranks within the Force. We have welcomed a new Head of Crime, Superintendent Dean Holden and 17 investigators, funded by the UK Government to support our Serious Crime Team. Our staffing numbers have been bolstered by a number of highly trained and experienced police officers that have joined us from across the region, as well as 18 new recruits who have just left for their initial training in the Bahamas,” Botting said, also promising that promotions were underway for Assistant Superintendents, Inspectors and Sergeants.”
A drone unit has been launched, along with the expansion of the community policing project.
“Working with our young people is critical in building safer communities. The assistance and encouragement we have received from the people we serve is truly appreciated,” he said, maintaining that the Force is ‘growing its capability fast– to meet the demands of the future in order to best protect communities.”
#TurksandCaicos, April 15, 2024 – The recent aggravated robbery targeting a five-member household is undoubtedly distressing for both the victims and the community at large.
Superintendent (Division A) Willet Harvey said, “Around 11:21 pm yesterday (April 14th) evening, the Police Control Room received a report that four masked males, three of whom were armed, entered a residence at New Subdivision, Grand Turk, and proceeded to rob the occupants.
The armed suspects managed to flee the scene on foot and escaped.
“Following the report, officers were dispatched to the scene, conducted extensive searches and interviewed individuals. Based on the information received, we are actively pursuing several leads that will lead to arrests in the shortest possible time.
“The incident highlights the importance of remaining vigilant and proactively safeguarding homes and families. I advise people to enhance their home security by locking doors and windows when inside, investing in a CCTV system, and ensuring adequate outdoor lighting. Should you have any information on this burglary or illegal activities in Grand Turk, please call 946-2299. ”
The RTCIPF asks the public to notify the closest police station, contact 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477, and anonymously give any information on illegal activity.
Additionally, persons are encouraged to download the CrimeStoppers P3 app and share information.
Rashaed Esson
Staff Writer
#TrinidadandTobago, April 15, 2024 – Heinous crimes continue to plague the Caribbean region, the latest the beheading of a four year old girl in Trinidad on Tuesday April 9, leaving a deep sense of shock and sadness over her town, Fifth Street, Five Rivers, Arouca in the East-West Corridor of Trinidad and Tobago.
The little girl whose life was severely cut short is identified as Amarah Lallitte and her killer is reportedly her step-father.
Reports are saying he killed her between 10 pm Monday and Midnight Tuesday. Her mother Tricia Villaruel, 41, who filed a domestic disturbance report, expressed deep grief and disbelief at the fact that the stepfather, 39, would hurt her.
Villaruel reports the events before her daughter was killed. She recalls the stepfather acting strange which she said is unlike him. She
expressed that he was acting like he was schizophrenic, as if “he was a different person, and different personalities were talking to me that night.”
She said she left to get help from the police out of fear that he would harm her and going she tried to bring Amarah, who she highlights wasn’t coming.
“but she not coming. She was laughing like she thought we were playing so I had no choice.”
Following the mother’s report to the police, they went back to the house to find it locked up and in darkness. The officers called for the stepfather who came out calm with no blood on him. Villaruel was then told to get her daughter. It was at this time that she was found dead by her mother who screamed at the sight of her daughter’s headless body.
Her head was reportedly stashed in a barrel at the back of the house and her body in another room.
At the sight of the decapitated four year old, some officers were moved to tears according to Richard Smith, Senior Superintendent of Police, in reports.
In fact he says they may need counseling from the Victim and Support Unit and they were deeply affected, as would any human being.
The suspect was arrested and taken to the station for questioning.
-
Caribbean News1 week agoBarbados welcomes new aircraft
-
Caribbean News1 week agoHaiti political update and Trinidad and Tobago not sending troops for mission
-
Health1 week agoDengue passes 1000 deaths mark in Brazil
-
Health1 week agoTURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS PARTICIPATED IN EIGHTH MEETING OF NATIONAL HIV/AIDS PROGRAMME MANAGERS AND PANCAP SHARE FAIR
-
Caribbean News5 days agoHaiti Gang Firearms more than Police – UN says where they come from.
-
Health1 week agoChildren and Teens Vaping, Royal TCI Police say “IT IS NOT SAFE!”
-
Caribbean News2 days agoCARICOM, UN applauds published decree establishing Haiti’s Transitional Government
-
Caribbean News5 days agoGuyana Wildfires