Governor announces Botting is Leaving, looking for new Police Commissioner

By Deandrea Hamilton

Editor

#TurksandCaicos, August 28, 2023 – Trevor Botting, the Commissioner of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands police force is not leaving early but he is also not getting any more extensions on his tenure as the top cop and will depart from the role this November.

Originally, Botting, who joined the Force as the Deputy Commissioner in May 2017 and ascended to Commissioner on a three year contract in 2019 was due to leave last summer, but he was granted a one year extension by former governor Nigel Dakin.

On Thursday, new governor, Her Excellency Dileeni Daniel-Selveratnum posted a notice informing that Botting will leave before the winter season holidays.

Daniel Selveratnum said of Botting, “he has led the Force with professionalism, dealing with a changing policing landscape that has become ever more challenging and complex.”

Despite this perspective, some residents had become increasingly vocal about whether Trevor Botting was what the Turks and Caicos needed at the helm of policing.  The record crime and unprecedented murder rate elicited calls for his resignation from the ‘man on the streets’ to some in the halls of Parliament. No resignation or end of contract came, however.

Now, as the governor credits Botting for establishing “partnerships”, she also begins a recruitment campaign for a new commissioner of police with an advertisement posted, also on Thursday August 24, 2023.

Job Opening in the Police Force

Fancy leading the 400 men and women of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police?

Well, if you do there is an opportunity to do so, points out the Office of the TCI Governor with the advertisement of the position of Commissioner of Police; it calls for a specific skill set they believe is vital to securing the job.

Working effectively in a multi-agency environment to tackle, reduce and prevent crime; having the utmost integrity, ethical values while demonstrating personal drive, energy and commitment to the role; the ability to foster trust and manage relationships with excellent interpersonal skills is listed.

The candidate must be a sound problem solver, able to manage a $34 million budget and your take home pay per year ranges from $153,000 to $175,000, plus allowances.

At least 5 years of experience with a proven track record are required within the four page recruitment ad and among the essentials:  completion of the UK Strategic Command course, Strategic firearms command and senior investigating officer.

It is also clear, in the job advertisement posted at the Governor’s FB page, that Commissioner of Police job is open to anyone, anywhere in the world who meets the criteria.

Application deadline is October 1 and interviews begin in mid-October.

On August 24, the TCI learned that Trevor Botting, will hang on as Commissioner of the Royal TCI Police Force until November, causing he said the “least disruption.”

The one year extension to his three-year contract concluded since the end of July.