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