Government
‘Dark Season’ for TCI Police births needed Modernisation; Serious Crime Investigators have new home
By Deandrea Hamilton & Rashaed Esson
Editorial Staff
#TurksandCaicos, April 21, 2023 – A more effective Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force is expected with the opening, on Monday, of a dedicated office for the Serious Crime Department in Providenciales; it is a new site for the investigative arm of the Force and country leaders, endorsing the advancement, were optimistic about the returns thanks to the new space.
“This is about more than giving you a physical space, this is about giving you a space that allows you to work together, in partnership. To work with each other, to learn, to grow together to learn new systems and procedures in terms of how you approach serious crime in these islands,” said Anya Williams, interim Governor, who heads national security.
The office is located in South Dock and speaking during the commissioning was Kendall Grant, Assistant Commissioner of Police.
“The official opening of this building symbolizes our commitment to enhance the workspace for our staff, one that is conducive to the development, growth and improvement of the services to our communities and to ensuring that the Force strategic objectives are met,” said ACP Grant.
The establishment of the new precinct follows a difficult year for the Force. ACP Grant, acknowledged that 2022 was
“Like other departments, the Serious Crime Department was placed under immense pressure. The workspace, the team previously worked from, was fragmented. It impacted the service delivery and team performance, this was compounded by the fact that crime was changing, new threats emerged and evolved, with criminal networks becoming more resilient and adaptable to police tactics,” said Grant.
The new site and deepening of police relations across the region were characterised as among the silver linings in a dark cloud of unprecedented violence.
“In that dark cloud, we saw a greater collaboration between the local and UK government and we saw greater collaboration between TCI and the region.”
Some 43 law enforcement officers were deployed to the Turks and Caicos; 24 from The Bahamas and 17 landed from the United Kingdom, said Grant who said the new office was yet another commitment of the RTCIPF executive to ensure staff and witnesses to crime are placed in the ideal environment for health, safety and well-being and one which engenders better collaboration as Police work toward the abatement of crime.
In attendance were, Her Excellency Anya Williams, Governor (Atg); Charles Washington Misick, Premier; E. Jay Saunders, Deputy Premier; Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education; Arlington Musgrove, Minister for Immigration and Border Services and Otis Morris, the Minister of Home Affairs.
“Crime has become more sophisticated and it will continue to do so as these Turks and Caicos Islands Develop. Serious crime seems to be a by-product of development and that has been happening very rapidly here,” said the Premier C. Washington Misick, who thanked both The Bahamas and UK for its help during the dangerous surge in crime, “This government has spared no cost in investing in law and order, in fact, compared with many other countries – developed and undeveloped countries – the portion of our GDP invested far surpasses most.”
Prayer was offered at the commissioning ceremony.
Trevor Botting, Commissioner of Police was also in attendance at the event.