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PRESS RELEASE – NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS POST NSC MEETING STATEMENT

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FILE PHOTO

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

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Governor’s Statement Following Results of TCI 2025 General Election

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Turks and Caicos, February 8, 2025 – This morning, I received confirmation from the Supervisor of Elections of the official results of the 7 February 2025 General Election of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Hon. Charles Washington Misick OBE JP, leader of the Progressive National Party, has written to me in line with section 31(2) of the Turks and Caicos Islands Constitution Order 2011, to demonstrate he commands the support of a majority of the elected members of the Parliament.

Accordingly, at a ceremony at the Governor’s Office this afternoon, I appointed Hon. Misick as the Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands. On his advice and in line with section 31(1)(c) of the Constitution, I appointed Hon. Jamell Rayan Robinson as Deputy Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Following the ceremony, the Hon. Premier, Deputy Governor, Hon. Deputy Premier and I received a national security briefing from the Commissioner of Police.

May I take this opportunity to thank sincerely the Supervisor of Elections, the Deputy Supervisor of Elections, all election officials and the independent observers for their committed efforts in managing the electoral process.

Instruments of appointment will be published in the Official Gazette.

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Crime

TCI Police Report a Rape Conviction, Handfield registered as SEX OFFENDER

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Turks and Caicos, February 8, 2025 – The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force acknowledges the sentencing of convicted rapist ELVETHAN “ALVIN” HANDFIELD to life imprisonment following his guilty plea. Handfield was charged with the following offences: Two Counts of RAPE and Two Counts of USING AN OFFENSIVE WEAPON TO CAUSE FEAR.

The Supreme Court delivered the ruling yesterday (February 6), with Handfield, 47, of Glass Shack, Providenciales, being ineligible for parole until he has served 16 years. Should parole be granted, he will be registered as a sex offender for life.

Acting Superintendent Grantley Williams, Head of Serious Crime, Safeguarding, and Public Protection, stated: “Following an extensive investigation by our Safeguarding and Public Protection Unit, Handfield was charged after a report made by a female victim on April 20, 2024. The victim, after entering a jitney driven by Handfield on April 19, 2024, was taken to his residence in Glass Shack, where she was subjected to sexual assault before being released the following day.

“This heinous act of violence, where Handfield posed as a jitney driver, lured, and assaulted the victim while threatening harm, is despicable. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force commend the victim’s bravery in coming forward, demonstrating immense courage in ensuring that this predator is brought to justice.

We recognize this is a difficult journey, and our Safeguarding and Public Protection Unit officers remain available to support the healing process.

We take this opportunity to urge any victims of sexual violence to come forward. Your reports are vital in removing dangerous offenders from our streets and ensuring the safety of our communities. Our commitment to justice remains unwavering, and we will continue to work tirelessly to protect and safeguard the communities.”

If you have been a victim or know anyone who has been a victim of sexual assault, please get in touch with the police without delay at the Safeguarding and Public Protection Unit at 232- 6696 or the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) at -338-4013.

All calls will be treated with sensitivity and confidentiality.

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Government

Misick promises to be Premier for all after “Sweet, Sweet Victory”  

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Deandrea Hamilton

Editor

 

Turks and Caicos, February 8, 2025 – When the cheering and dancing and handshakes and high fives were given the attention they rightly deserved, Washington Misick, the resoundingly re-elected premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands turned his attention from the divisiveness of the election trail to a message of solidarity.

“I have lost elections, so I know how difficult it is for you but now it is time to put partisan differences aside and work on behalf of our people,” said Misick, as he spoke pointedly to the Leader of the Opposition from his celebration stage just after midnight on February 8.

“I want to thank our wonderful and loyal supporters.  Our campaign team and our candidates who worked hard, long hours, burned the midnight oil to mount this victorious campaign.  I wanna thank my beloved wife and our extended families of all of our candidates for all of their support. Tonight’s victory belongs to you.

Because of you we will be able to continue the work of building for our children and our children’s children.  I am inviting everyone to be on this journey with us, whether you’ve voted PNP or whether you voted PDM or whether you voted independent.  I want you to be on this journey with us,” he said.

The premier, who is now serving a second consecutive term in office and serving for a third time as leader of the Turks and Caicos Islands, was flanked by his winning team and throngs of jubilant supporters assembled at the party’s headquarters in Providenciales.

While the PNP was clearly most able to energize its base, winning many of their seats by spectacular margins, voter turnout in this 2025 General Election was at an historical low.  The premier, in his victory speech demonstrated his awareness of that fact and offered an olive branch to those who skipped voting altogether, which would have been over 2,400 people, according to Elections Office statistics.

“And to those Islanders who did not vote for me or the PNP, I hope that our work, policies and programs will earn your support and your blessings.  I promise, I will hear your voices, we will hear your voices and I promise that we will be there for you and I will be your Premier too.”

The Washington Misick led team swept the At Large category securing all nine seats, which now also introduces two first time Members of Parliament.  Only three seats from the constituency races went unsecured by the PNP; it was a total of 16 seats for the party in yellow.

“On this journey, we must have great success together and we will continue the economic and social transformation together.  No journey is without bumps and setbacks, you won’t always agree with the decisions we take but I will always be honest with you about why we make those decisions and the challenges we face.”

“To every islander and every resident, we will work hard everyday on your behalf and we will create the conditions and the opportunities to give all of our people a better quality of life,” he said to vigorous applause, adding, “Let us build together in a single purpose to make our beautiful by nature Turks and Caicos Islands the place where dreams flourish, justice abounds, love is abounding and hope is endless.”

The Premier informed supporters and those watching via social media that work for his new Progressive National Party Administration continues promptly on Monday.

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