National Security Council Meeting Full Report

#TurksandCaicos, June 29, 2023 – Her Excellency the Acting Governor, Anya Williams, and the Hon. Premier Charles Washington Misick, co-chaired a meeting of the Turks and Caicos Islands National Security Council (NSC) on Friday 16 May 2023 at the Premier’s Office, Providenciales.

Also in attendance, were the Hon. Deputy Premier, the Hon. Attorney General, the Commissioner of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF), the Permanent Secretary National Security Secretariat (NSS), the Deputy Permanent Secretary NSS, the NSS Threats Lead.

Apologies were received from the Hon. Minister for Immigration and Border Services.

Members:

• Were briefed by the Chief Medical Officer on Cholera. The Ministry of Health has initiated its response plan.  A team of specialists from the UK Health Security Agency is currently deployed in the Turks and Caicos Islands and is collaborating with the Ministry of Health to support local public health staff and agencies on their preparedness and response measures for Cholera and other communicable diseases.  There have been no further suspected cases of Cholera in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
• Were updated by the NSS on the professionalization of private security services; inter-agency cooperation between the RTCIPF and the Regiment; outposts for the Regiment Mobile to aid coastal patrols.
• Were updated by the Commissioner on serious crime across the islands.  There have been seven (7) murders so far this calendar year.  Instances of serious crime are lower at this point compared to June 2022.  The UK Government tender process for the maritime surveillance aircraft has been launched and is receiving good interest.  The RTCIPF is concluding its recruitment process to hire new staff.  The NSC approved for the NSS (with support from RTCIPF) to develop a firearms communication strategy regarding legislation and penalties.
• Were updated by Mr Justice Carlos Simons KC (Strategic Lead Informal Settlement Unit) and Ms. Loraine Lewis (Rapid Assessment Consultant Informal Settlement Unit) on the Informal Settlement Unit (ISU).  Key achievements of the ISU to date include piecing together TCI’s informal settlement profile, updating aerial and street view imagery and conducting rapid assessment of informal settlements across TCI, and successful demolition of illegal structures on Crown Land and privately owned land.  The ISU is developing a social needs survey to understand the profile of persons who live in informal settlements (such as access to alternative housing, utilities, social needs etc.) to determine the required support systems, and a public awareness campaign to inform the public of the ISU’s activities and provide relevant information.
• Were updated by the RTCIPF Superintendent Gardiner and Assistant Commissioner Williams on the progress of Operation Pursuit.  Operations commenced on 24 May and to date, 127 undocumented persons have been detained for immigration purposes; 150 traffic tickets have been issued; over 40 businesses have been inspected and prohibited goods have been seized.