Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer 

Police have responded, succinct and to the point, to an explosive letter penned by an anonymous writer claiming to be an officer, alleging corruption.

“The RTCIPF is aware of the anonymous letter in circulation,” they confirmed after Magnetic Media queries, Denyse Renne, Media Relations Officer told us the only response the police would be making had already been delivered in the swearing in ceremony of Edvin Martin, Police Commissioner, by the man himself.

Remarks included ; “The public deserves an accountable police force, a police force that is professional and responsive to the needs of its citizens. One that is trusted and has the support of the people it serves. In this context, as a service organisation, and with any such organisation, there will be allegations which cause the public to question our integrity. As law enforcers, we must seek out and purge the organization of any semblance of bias, corruption, and malfeasance. It cannot be a case of doing as I say and not as I do. Simultaneously, at the Executive level, we must address the issues that negatively impact morale and motivation – particularly ensuring fairness and impartiality in providing opportunities and ensuring the best candidates are promoted to ensure continuity and succession planning,” Martin said.

The remarks, though they came before the anonymous letter, are particularly poignant when taken in context of the complaints fielded by the individual claiming to be an officer.

“In order for us to create safe and wonderful communities there must be an internal clean up,” said the letter from the Police Commissioner.

“For years hardworking police officers were treated unfairly , with injustice and their careers crippled at the hands of the executive team while all of their friends benefit from promotions, training, conferences and are placed in areas of the force to work where they cannot function,” the writer claimed boldly.

In the letter observed by Magnetic Media, the writer, who could be anyone, gave not only examples of cronyism, but shared enough information with the public to directly identify those he/she is accusing;especially in the small close knit islands of the Turks and Caicos.

Upon receipt of the letter Magnetic Media had included this fact in our questions giving the force the opportunity to clarify whether the allegations were true and under investigation; or whether they were false and dispel them; protecting the reputations of those mentioned and the integrity of the force. They did not respond to this line of questioning.

Included in the allegations cited by this mystery writer are:

• Cronyism, with promotions being given to a select group of favored officers even without the requisite expertise.
• Favoritism to romantic partners resulting in promotions or changes in assignment.
• Favoritism regarding opportunities for training
• Officers facing difficulties receiving their due overtime pay
• Misconduct
• Misuse of police assets including vehicles

The alleged officer claims that these actions are directly impacting the force by grinding down officers’ morale and making them disillusioned with the force. The writer cited this as a serious concern.

“We have seen hard working police officers lose motivation, become fed up and left the police force without any care to the force executive team and the HR Department who cares not about retention of good officers,” the writer accused

As for why the individual didn’t identify themselves, this reason was shared

“There is a lack of trust with some of the members of the force executive team and we all have seen countless police officers treated unfairly and victimized for highlighting issues in the organization.”