National Security Council Meets June 12 and Reports

#TurksandCaicos, June 22, 2023 – Her Excellency the Acting Governor, Anya Williams, and the Hon. Premier Charles Washington Misick, co-chaired a special meeting of the Turks and Caicos Islands National Security Council (NSC) on Monday 12 June 2023 at the Office of the Premier on Providenciales in response to recent serious crimes.

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

Members:

Were updated by the Commissioner and his senior leadership team on the following:

State of crime across TCI

• six homicides were committed so far in 2023, the most recent on Sunday 11 June.
• Two of the six homicides appear to be stand-alone incidents, while four homicides appear to be linked to serious crime
• Investigations are underway in relation to all six homicides, with one person having already been charged in relation to one.

Police Planned Response

• Increased Police supervision including a redeployment of officers as necessary.
• The addition of seven experienced officers to the Tactical Unit and two experienced officers to operational response within the next 10 days.
• The immediate deployment of the 18 trained Police recruits to various areas of the Police Force when they return to the TCI in the next 14 days following their graduation on 22 June 2023.
• Continued work on the special investigations into the 2022 murders by the Criminal Investigation Unit assisted by UK detectives.
• Special operations targeted at illegal drugs and guns.
• Continued work on the RTCIPF witness protection program.
• A press briefing by the RTCIPF to update the public on matters related to serious crime.

Members discussed these issues, existing collaboration within our Islands and agreed on next steps.

Follow up questions are welcomed and can be directed to nationalsecurity@gov.tc