News
UK Foreign Office Reviews TCI Police, Failings captured in Guardian News Article
Deandrea Hamilton & Dana Malcolm
Editorial Staff
#TurksandCaicos, October 23, 2023 – Complaints fielded to media houses and posted on social media for years by residents regarding the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force have finally landed on the desk, all prim and proper, at the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) according to a report from The Guardian.
An October 17 news article claimed that a new review of the TCI Police by the UK FCDO had found that the Force was not only ‘overwhelmed’ it identified several failures including:
- limited forensic abilities,
- no management structures for serious incidents,
- and a bizarre insistence on recording crime data in a spreadsheet rather than a British government database shared with other police forces in the region.
While this may be news to the Foreign Office, the findings are long documented issues locally.
The shortcomings of the Police in areas like forensic capabilities came under international scrutiny with the case of American attorney, Marie Khunla, where the woman’s body was reportedly left in questionable condition before the arrival of a pathologist from overseas.
There are other incidents as well including the death of an Indian tourist in August 2021 where his body could not be released to family immediately because of the lack of a pathologist, the discovery of a local man, Ryan Musgrove’s headless body in Grace Bay in mid-2023, which remains an unclassified death, reportedly due to a lack of forensics.
And there are more.
As for the management structure for serious incidents, there have been numerous criticisms; a case in point, the murder of British Denise Buck in January 2022 where officers reportedly took much longer than required to cover a negligible distance after a 911 call reporting an ongoing break-in and that deadly attack. An internal investigation was promised but nearly two years on, there are no results of the probe.
The time Police officers took to respond to ‘shots fired’ calls and a crime scene of nearly an entire family slaughtered in a hail of bullets on October 31, 2022 remains unaddressed. The only surviving member of the cruel attack of the Ceasar family, was a seven year old girl sat injured and bloodied in the back seat of the family’s car; likely in shock and unable to move or cry out for help as her mother, brother, unborn sibling and step father lay dead in the car.
The scene was stumbled upon by residents, who filmed and photographed the shocking incident – the police were completely unaware and once they were, had made repeated mistakes regarding the release of information in the matter.
A complete mess amidst an incomprehensible crime.
As for record-keeping, not only is the Royal TCI Police Force notoriously tight-fisted with information, ignoring requests from the Media companies and others to share crime statistics and other data, but it manages its own database.
Essentially characterized in that news report by the Guardian as odd because TCI crime information was not synchronized with the UK’s system or any other overseas territory in the region.
The crime data follows a system linked to the TCI’s financial year which means murders and other crimes are collated from April 1st in one year to March 31st in the other; Commissioner Trevor Botting abandoned the calendar year system when he became top cop.
Still, the yearly data is often late and lacking; at seven months into the 2023-2024 financial year, there is still no release of the 2022 statistics on Crime and Detection.
The Guardian piece, published on Monday October 16, said the investigation was prompted by the unprecedented levels of crime experienced in 2022; calling it the worst among territories and the UK itself.
So far the Report, which is vaguely referenced by the new TCI governor, Daleeni Daniel-Selveratnam in her comments to the UK Guardian, has not yet been shared with Turks and Caicos politicians speaking to Magnetic Media.
The Rick Fox Political Timeline
“Are You Thinking About Politics?”
Fox publicly acknowledged growing calls for him to enter Bahamian politics, saying he had been hearing from women, youth, business owners and everyday Bahamians who were “ready for something different.”
October 19, 2025
“Then Jump, Man.”
Fox revealed a conversation with NBA legend Michael Jordan, who encouraged him to enter politics after asking whether he believed he could help young Bahamians.
November 24, 2025
“The Bahamas Must Be First”
Fox officially announced his intention to run in the 2026 General Election, promising transparency, affordability, opportunity and a modern Bahamian economy.
February 4, 2026
“Officially Picked”
The Free National Movement formally ratified Fox as its candidate for Garden Hills, instantly making him one of the most talked-about figures in the election cycle.
March 20, 2026
“From Courtside to Campaign Stage”
Fox mounted the national campaign stage for the first time at the FNM’s major campaign launch at Baha Mar Resort in Nassau.
March 30, 2026
“I’m Giving The Salary Back”
Fox announced he would not take a parliamentary salary if elected, saying the funds should instead go back into helping the people of
Garden Hills.
April 14, 2026
“Nomination Eve Goes Viral”
A heated confrontation involving Fox and PLP supporters outside the Parliamentary Registration Department exploded across social media after video captured the tense exchange.
April 16, 2026
“Pick Rick” Officially Launches
Nomination Day cemented Fox’s candidacy and formally launched the now-famous “Pick Rick” campaign branding.
April 19, 2026
“Vote and Win”
Jamiah Burrows won a vehicle through Fox’s civic participation challenge, part of a campaign effort encouraging voter engagement and turnout.
April 20, 2026
“The Wealthiest Candidate”
Financial disclosures revealed Fox as the wealthiest candidate in the 2026 election cycle, with reported assets exceeding $469 million, ending speculation about his financial standing.
April 25, 2026
“The Garden Hills Blueprint”
Fox unveiled detailed policy graphics outlining plans for:
- youth development,
- healthcare access,
- infrastructure upgrades,
- environmental restoration,
- entrepreneurship,
- and a proposed $10 million investment fund for Garden Hills.
May 4, 2026
“The Numbers Don’t Lie”
Fox’s campaign highlighted more than:
- 20 community clean-ups,
- 16 streets and locations served,
- and 13 solar lights installed across Garden Hills during the campaign.
May 6, 2026
“Shaq Steps In”
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal publicly endorsed Fox, helping elevate international attention surrounding the campaign.
May 8, 2026
“Buju Backs Rick”
Jamaican reggae icon Buju Banton threw his support behind Fox ahead of Election Day.
May 10, 2026
“Vanessa Williams Endorses”
Fox’s former wife, actress and singer Vanessa Williams publicly endorsed his campaign.
May 11, 2026
“Magic Joins the Campaign”
NBA icon Magic Johnson became the latest major celebrity to endorse Fox just one day before Bahamians went to the polls.
May 12, 2026
“Election Day”
Fox contested the Garden Hills constituency seat against PLP incumbent Mario Bowleg in one of the country’s most closely watched races.
May 13, 2026
“Grace in Defeat”
Fox publicly conceded the race and congratulated Bowleg on his victory in Garden Hills.
May 18, 2026
“We Pick Rick”
Despite losing at the polls, Fox officially entered Parliament after being appointed to the Senate by the FNM — with the party itself declaring:
“We Pick Rick.”
The appointment made Fox one of the most internationally recognized figures ever to serve in the Bahamian Senate.
Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands — The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), in coordination with the Planning Department and key partner agencies, conducted a multi-agency enforcement exercise on Thursday, May 7, 2026, in the Lower Bight area in Providenciales. The exercise resulted in the complete removal of a total of eight (8) unauthorized structures and all associated debris from a
privately-owned parcel of land.
The operation was led by the Planning Department, with coordination by the ISU and support from the TCI Border Force, the Crown Land Unit, and Pelican Energy. Security for the exercise was provided by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force. All agencies worked collaboratively to ensure the exercise was carried out in a safe, orderly, and controlled manner.
The enforcement action followed a structured and lawful process in accordance with the Physical Planning regulatory framework of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Section 45 Enforcement Notices were first issued on the affected parcel in December 2024, identifying unauthorized structures erected without the requisite approvals. This was followed by the issuance of Warning Notices on April 16, 2026, which advised occupants that they were in breach of planning and land use regulations and provided notice that demolition activities would proceed following the prescribed compliance period. Despite these notices and the time afforded for compliance, the unauthorized structures remained in place.
This exercise represents part of an ongoing commitment to ensuring that development within the Turks and Caicos Islands is lawful, safe, and aligned with national standards.
USA, May 22, 2026 – Thousands gathered on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on Sunday for “Rededicate 250,” a large-scale prayer and patriotism event tied to America’s upcoming 250th anniversary celebrations in 2026.
The day-long gathering centered on faith, national unity and what organizers described as a call to “rededicate” the United States to God and country under the theme, “One Nation Under God.”
Hosted under the Freedom 250 banner, the event featured worship music, public prayers, patriotic tributes and speeches from high-profile
political and religious figures. Organizers said the rally was designed to inspire Americans to reflect on the nation’s founding principles and spiritual heritage ahead of the semiquincentennial celebrations next year.
Multiple media outlets reported that thousands attended the event, though no official crowd estimate was immediately released. Giant screens, patriotic imagery and religious symbols lined the National Mall as participants waved American flags, sang hymns and joined in collective prayer.
A recorded message from former U.S. President Donald Trump was aired during the program, while several conservative leaders and evangelical figures also addressed the crowd. Scripture readings and references to America’s Christian roots featured heavily throughout the presentations.
One of the most talked-about moments came in a recorded message from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who appeared seated behind what appeared to be the historic Resolute Desk as he delivered a scripture reading and message to attendees. Trump read from 2 Chronicles 7:14, the often-quoted biblical passage which states: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray… then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” The verse was used to reinforce the event’s central theme of national prayer, repentance and renewal.
The event also drew criticism from opponents who argued it blurred the line between religion and politics, with some activists raising concerns about Christian nationalism and the increasing role of faith-based references in public life.
Still, supporters defended the gathering as a peaceful and constitutionally protected expression of faith, patriotism and freedom of assembly.
Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.
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