Government

LOTOYA MITCHELL APPOINTED AS INTELLIGENCE MANAGER

Published

2 years ago

April 6, 2023

#TurksandCaicos, April 6, 2023 – The Office of the Deputy Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Latoya Mitchell to the post of Intelligence Manager in the Ministry of Immigration and Border Services.

Ms. Mitchell who hails from the island of Grand Turk, joined the Turks and Caicos Islands Public Service in 2004 as an Immigration Officer.

In 2012 she joined the Intelligence Unit in the Ministry of Immigration and Border Services and has been instrumental in running much of its day to day operations.

In November 2022 she co-headed the merger of a single Intelligence Unit between the Department of Immigration and Customs.

Ms. Mitchell during her tenure in the Ministry of Immigration and Border Services through her hard work, dedication and in-depth knowledge, has had the opportunity to represent the TCI at various international forums including, but not limited to:

Nassau Bahamas, JBUS Quarterly Meeting- 2013-present
London England, Intelligence and Forgery Training-2013
Miami Fl, British Overseas Territories Border Security Conference- 2014
Cayman Islands, SunGuard Intelligence Database Meeting- 2015
Barbados, CBP Border Security Professional Exchange -2017
Trinidad and Tobago, Special Standing Committee Meeting of Chiefs of Immigration and Comptrollers of Customs- November 7, 2017
Trinidad and Tobago, Special Standing Committee Meeting of Chiefs of Immigration and Comptrollers of Customs- November 21, 2017

She has also completed a significant number of training and certification programs, including, but not limited to:

Behavior Analysis and Counter Terrorism- February 2007
USA Forensic Document Laboratory Training – August 2007
Promises Workshop- November 2007
Delivering Exceptional Customer Service- February 2008
Observational Techniques and Behavior Analysis- April 2008
Interpol I 24/7 Mind and Find Regional Training Course- December 2008
Canada Fraudulent Documentation- September 2009
Administrative Assistants Conference- September 2012
TCI Immigration Arresting Officer Training-2013
Advanced Training in Forgery Detection at NDFU, UK- November 2013
Advanced Intelligence Analyst Training at Ananda House, UK- November 2013
Stress and Time Management- August 2015
Silver Commander Training – February 2023

Having a genuine desire to always enhance her knowledge and skills, Ms. Mitchell with the assistance of the Turks and Caicos Islands Public Service Professional Development Fund is also currently pursuing a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice from Southern New Hampshire University.

Commenting on her appointment Ms. Mitchell stated:

“I am quite honored to accept the position of Head of Intelligence in the Ministry of Immigration and Border Services. I am daily guided by the philosophy of the late Steve Jobs who stated:

“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.”

I pledge a continued commitment to ensuring the safety and protection of these boarders and look forward to serving in this new senior management role.”

Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service Her Excellency Anya Williams in extending congratulatory remarks to Ms. Mitchell stated:

“It gives me great pleasure to officially announce and to congratulate Ms. Latoya Mitchell on her appointment as the new Intelligence Manager in the Ministry of Immigration and Border Services.

This new post was created as a part of our efforts to strengthen the intelligence capabilities within our Ministry of Border Services and will be responsible for overseeing the operations of the Border Force Intelligence Unit in adherence to recognized intelligence principles.

Ms. Mitchell during her almost 20 years in the public service has worked in 5 different units of the Immigration Department which included: the Seaport; the International Airport; the FBO; the Enforcement Unit and the Intelligence and Forgery Unit.

Ms. Mitchell in this new post will be responsible for overseeing the operation of the Border Force Intelligence Unit in adherence to recognized intelligence principles.

She will be responsible for identifying intelligence opportunities and for capturing and sharing intelligence within the organization and with local and international partners.

She will also be responsible for chairing and facilitating quarterly and monthly internal threat assessment meetings, ensuring strategic updates and other responsibilities in this key area of national security.

Having worked during the last 10 years in the Intelligence and Forgery Unit where she has provided excellent service and support working with local, regional and international law enforcement agencies, she has demonstrated her strong ability to take on this new senior management role and we wish her all the best.

Congratulations on your well deserved promotion Ms. Mitchell.”

Government

TCI POST CABINET MEETING STATEMENT – 11 DECEMBER 2024

Published

8 hours ago

January 20, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

Turks and Caicos, January 20, 2025 – Her Excellency the Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam chaired the 41^st meeting of Cabinet held on December 11^th, 2024. All members of Cabinet were present with the exception of Hon. Rhondalee Knowles, Attorney General, with Ms. Khalila Astwood acting as Attorney General.

At this meeting Cabinet:

Considered proposals related to the 2022 Crown Land Review Report.
Approved the mutation of parcels 60603/57, 60610/316, 60700/107, and 20313/47, 58 & 59 and for the same to be vested with the TCI Airports Authority.
Received a presentation on proposals on the integration of Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR) technologies into programs at the Turks and Caicos Community College.
Approved the management authority of parcel 60503/315 to the Turks & Caicos Islands Sports Commission for multi-purpose use for the development of a community park and recreational facility.
Received a presentation from the Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission on the establishment of a National Sports Training Centre.
Received a presentation from the Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission regarding the establishment of a Department of Parks and Recreation.
Received a presentation from the Ministry of Health on matters relating to the National Health Insurance Board.
Approved the re-appointment of Mrs. Angela Musgrove as the Chief Executive Officer of Invest Turks and Caicos for a three-year term.
Approved the appointment of Mr. Henry Wilson as a member to the Fisheries Advisory Committee.
Noted the award of the following contracts in line with the process according to the provisions of the Public Procurement Ordinance; Contract Award Notification:

PN 005690, TR 24/09, Upgrading Bight Park
PN 005729, TR 24/23, Vehicles for Immigration

PN 005730, TR 24/08, DDME Communication Equipment – Mobile Antenna

PN 005765, TR 24/31, Redevelopment of Regatta Village
TCINIB 01/2024, TR 24/26, Vehicles for NIB

Further information on these matters will be presented by Ministers in due course.

Government

TCI POST CABINET MEETING STATEMENT – 4TH DECEMBER 2024

Published

9 hours ago

January 20, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

Turks and Caicos – Her Excellency the Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam chaired the 40^th meeting of Cabinet held on December 4^th, 2024. All members of Cabinet were present, with the exception of Hon. Jamell Robinson, Deputy Premier and Hon. Rhondalee Braithwaite-Knowles, Attorney General, with Ms. Khalila Astwood, acting as Attorney General.

At this meeting Cabinet:

Approved the Turks and Caicos Islands Fiscal Strategic Policy Statement.
Approved the negotiation of a Development Agreement/Order with Retreat Development Ltd.
Approved the transfer of excess revenue from the Consolidated Fund into the National Wealth Fund for the Financial Year Ending 31 March 2024.
Approved Planning Application PR 17673 for a proposed watch tower and rest station on block and parcel 60000/345 for the TCI Regiment.
Approved the negotiation of a license agreement with the Proprietors of Balfour Salt Ltd. for a period of 10 years.
Approved the policy document for the use of Biometrics and Introducing an Electronic Travel Authority Requirement.
Approved the appointment of Mr. Lynden Hall Snr. as a member of the Turks and Caicos Islands Gaming Control Commission Board for a period of two years.
Approved the write-off of water charges and penalties in accordance with Section 52 of the Public Financial Management Ordinance 2012.

Further information on these matters will be presented by Ministers in due course.

Caribbean News

Government Committed to Making Housing More Affordable – PM

Published

2 days ago

January 18, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

Kingston, Jamaica, January 18, 2025 – Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, has reiterated the Government’s commitment to ensuring that all Jamaicans have access to affordable housing solutions.

He noted that there is an imbalance between housing supply and affordability, with many qualified individuals struggling to find solutions within their income bracket.

“The issue is not the finance; it’s that people who qualify can’t get the houses that are available on the market,” he pointed out, while addressing a recent meeting with the National Leadership Prayer Breakfast Committee at the Office of the Prime Minister.

He explained that the market is producing homes primarily for those with higher income, leaving a gap for low and middle-income families.

In addition, he noted that houses priced at $12 million are often sold for $18 million due to market demand dynamics.

“What we want to do is to get the market to produce houses in all categories,” he said, stressing the need for affordable options alongside high-end developments.

“We need developers who can build houses at scale to bring down costs and make housing more affordable,” he stressed.

The Prime Minister noted the role of the National Housing Trust (NHT) in financing low-income and achievable housing projects.

“We’re doing everything to create what is called effective demand,” he said, noting that the Guaranteed Purchase Programme was introduced as a strategic measure to mitigate market risks for developers.

“We say to developers; you build the houses, we buy them at a specific price and then we sell them at an affordable price,” he detailed.

This approach aims to encourage developers to construct homes without fearing financial losses.

“Government can’t build houses; what we can do is use resources to finance affordable housing and say, ‘you can only get this finance if you sell at this price’,” he pointed out.

The Prime Minister cited other initiatives aimed at making housing more affordable, including reducing the interest rates on mortgages, with some low-income borrowers benefiting from a zero per cent interest rate.

Efforts are under way to deliver 43,000 houses over the next few years as part of a broader strategy to meet housing demands.

CONTACT: ANDREW LAIDLEY

Release: JIS