News
PRESS RELEASE – NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS POST NSC MEETING STATEMENT
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 30 January 2024 – Her Excellency the Governor, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, and the Hon. Premier Charles Washington Misick, co-chaired a special meeting of the Turks and Caicos Islands National Security Council (NSC) on 30 January 2024, at the Premier’s Office on Providenciales.
The meeting was called following the fatal shooting incident on Grand Turk on Friday, 26 January. Council Members extend their sincere sympathies to the families and friends of those affected by recent incidents.Criminal Justice Outcomes
The primary focus of the meeting was to understand the factors that may have led to recent incidents involving individuals released from His Majesty’s Prison (HMP), the risk reduction oversight of such individuals and the effectiveness of the co-ordination between criminal justice partners in their ownership of criminal justice outcomes. In attendance were senior leadership from the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF), the TCI Regiment, TCI Border Force, HMP and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The NSC were apprised of the recent two incidents involving individuals who had been released from HMP where they had been held on remand, and sought briefings on the effectiveness of liaison between the RTCIPF, the office of the DPP and wider criminal justice agencies in respect of case progression, including the assessments made to public safety that inform representations at bail hearings.
The NSC instructed criminal justice partners to review its coordination and ownership of dependencies to support
case progression. The NSC will seek to engage with the Judiciary as part of this review in support of work to drive targeted action in the delivery of timely justice outcomes.
Further to this meeting HE the Governor and the Hon. Premier have been apprised of yesterday’s fatal incident that included an individual who had been released from HMP following the end of his sentence. Work to establish multi-agency risk reduction strategies as discussed at the NSC will seek to address HMP exit arrangements and risks to public safety.Law Enforcement Operations
For the month of January, there have been eight separate discharges of firearms (three in Grand Turk and five in Providenciales), two fatalities and six wounded, of which one is critical.
The RTCIPF continue to draw on information and intelligence to underpin the work of multi-agency operations under Operation Reclaim III and Operation Shepherd in tackling irregular migration and organised crime across TCI, including the importation of illegal firearms, ammunition and drugs. A number of arrests and searches have been carried out.
The support of the TCI Regiment to the RTCIPF, particularly with the Vehicle Check Points is proving of significant value. Since the NSC was last updated on 05 January 2024, 2,542 cars overall have been stopped with multiple traffic tickets issued, and cars removed from the roads due to lack of insurance. A number of individuals have been detained for various infringements. The NSC noted its thanks to the public for their cooperation.
In reviewing ongoing security requirements, the NSC agreed operational recommendations to extend the arrangement. Accordingly, HE the Governor has issued a direction under the Defence Ordinance, to extend TCI Regiment support to the RTCIPF until 03 March 2024.
Investment in maritime capability remains a key focus. Work is underway with the UK Joint Maritime Security Centre and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to increase surveillance measures in support of marine domain awareness and law enforcement operations. The TCI’s collaboration with international partners – including the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, US Customs and Border Protection and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police – continues to underpin operations and enhance capability.
To assist police investigations, the public is asked to contact 911, the RTCIPF Serious Crime Unit at 649-232-8752, or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 to provide any information anonymously on these incidents or any other information in respect of activity that may be of concern.
Follow-up questions are welcomed and can be directed to nationalsecurity@gov.tc
Photo: FILE PHOTO
The Bahamas, August 27, 2026 – The Royal Bahamas Police Force wishes to inform members of the public that several individuals are scheduled to appear before the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 27th August 2026, at 12:00 noon.
The individuals and charges are as follows:
An 18-year-old female is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
Three (3) counts of Murder
Three (3) counts of Attempted Murder
Three (3) counts of Possession of a Firearm with Intent to Endanger Life
Three (3) counts of Possession of an Unlicensed Firearm
Two (2) counts of Possession of Ammunition
Armed Robbery
Abetment to Armed Robbery
Stealing
Receiving
The charges stem from three separate shooting incidents and an armed robbery that occurred on Friday, 21st August 2026, and Saturday, 22nd August 2026.
The first shooting occurred in the area of Soldier Road and Baillou Hill Road, resulting in the death of a 51-year-old male.
The second shooting occurred in the area of Joe Farrington Road, resulting in the death of a 52-year-old male.
The third shooting occurred in the area of Gladstone Road, resulting in the death of a 36-year-old male.
The armed robbery occurred at a business establishment in the area of Carmichael Road and Baillou Hill Road.
A 21-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on one charge of:
- Murder
The charge stems from a shooting incident that occurred on Tuesday, 21st July 2026, in the area of Samson Street, Nassau Village, which resulted in the death of a 28-year-old male.
A 32-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
- Murder
- Attempted Murder
These charges stem from a shooting incident that occurred on Wednesday, 24th December 2025, in the area of Graham Drive, Yellow Elder, which resulted in the death of a 25-year-old male.
RBPF, PACD
by Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
PROVIDENCIALES, TCI — In a country where government press conferences are virtually non-existent, ministers are often difficult for
journalists to access and regular broadcast television news has disappeared, TCI Innovation, Technology and Energy Minister E. Jay Saunders has challenged Caribbean media to become “impossible to ignore.”
Speaking at the Caribbean Broadcasting Union gathering, Saunders argued that the Caribbean does not have a relevance problem but a “discoverability and positioning problem.”
Discoverability is precisely the issue in Saunders’ home country. Even Government’s own attempts at video news broadcasting have struggled against the realities of consistently producing a daily, weekly or even monthly newscast.
The difficulties confronting TCI media extend well beyond algorithms: limited advertising revenue, underfunding, shortages of trained professionals and insufficient human capacity leave newsrooms struggling for both staff and stamina.
Then there is the reality of operating in one of the region’s smallest societies. Politicians, journalists, advertisers, businesses and the subjects of stories often exist within the same tight economic and social circles. A controversial report that might create a ripple elsewhere can produce a tsunami in TCI, intensifying concerns among journalists about commercial and professional victimisation.
Saunders believes AI can help.
He urged Caribbean media to use the technology to transform one original story into television, radio, web, podcast, social and translated content without multiplying newsroom workload.
He also wants regional journalism structured so AI systems can find, understand and trust Caribbean sources, moving media beyond traditional SEO into Answer Engine Optimisation.
His ultimate message was emphatic: “Use AI not to make Caribbean media more artificial — but to make Caribbean voices more visible.”
For Turks and Caicos media, however, becoming visible may require more than technology. It requires an environment in which journalism can survive.
That last sentence is where I think we land the plane. It acknowledges that EJ actually has some us
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
