National Security Council Meeting gets Police Update, Readies for US Customs & Border Control Delegation

#TurksandCaicos, July 31, 2023 – Her Excellency Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam and the Hon. Premier Charles Washington Misick, co-chaired a meeting of the Turks and Caicos Islands National Security Council (NSC) on Friday 21 July 2023 at the Governor’s Residence, Grand Turk.

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

Apologies were received from the Commissioner of the RTCIPF who was out of the jurisdiction at the time.

Members were briefed by the:

• The RTCIPF on the state of crime across all islands. The three recent fatal incidents in Providenciales are under active investigation and two persons are in custody. Strategic policing operations are in place with intensified patrols in high-risk areas (including greater use of drones); operational resources are being redirected to support the response including an increase in community policing. Across the other islands, there has been no increase in crime. Development of plans to consider the deployment of police resourcing to respective islands under active consideration.
• Briefings were provided on:
  • OPBAT
  • Border Security
  • Forthcoming visit of delegation from the US Customs and Border Patrol to strengthen coordination on irregular migration
• Discussed further required strategic analysis and wider threat assessments to support intelligence led strategic interventions and multi-agency response.