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TCI Police Commissioner Shuffle; Thirteen Years, Six Commissioners and deadly crime higher than ever

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Deandrea Hamilton

Editor

 

Turks and Caicos, November 22, 2024 – He was a little over five months on the job in the Turks and Caicos Islands as the newest Commissioner of Police, and now he is gone.  Edvin Martin, despite his effervescent optimism about disrupting the negative crime trends of the islands, has unceremoniously bid farewell.

Residents on Thursday November 21, learned that a six week leave of absence would become a total departure from the role which Mr. Martin had taken up on April 22, 2024.

Edvin Martin had already been suspiciously delayed in starting as the Commissioner of the Royal TCI Police when he was installed in a military-styled ceremony at the Downtown ballpark; originally he was expected to join the Force in February.

Met with undisclosed challenges, the man who once headed the Grenadian Police Force appeared months late in the TCI and didn’t last even half a year.

Instead, the Governor of the Turks and Caicos announced the resignation of Martin, who hails originally from Grenada.

“The circumstances are unavoidable due to a personal matter that requires Mr Martin’s urgent attention. To maintain stability and direction, with effect from 22 November Deputy Commissioner Fitz Bailey will act as Commissioner on an interim basis whilst a permanent recruitment process is taken forward. Mr Kendall Grant will act as the second Deputy Commissioner alongside Deputy Commissioner Rodney Adams,” explained the statement from the office of Her Excellency, Daleeni Daniel-Selveratnam, TCI Governor.

It is reported by other sources that a serious health condition is behind the resignation of Martin.  The governor stopped short of offering any reason for the sudden departure.

“The situation is regrettable and I know this was a difficult decision for Mr Martin and his family,” she said in her statement of November 21.

This outcome, following the controversial hiring of Martin has only fuelled public concern about the UK’s management of national security.  Topping the list of recommendations: that the chief executive of the Royal TCI Police, is native to the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Not since 2011 has an indigenous individual held the post of Commissioner of Police.

In March 2011, Colin Farquhar of Canada was hired to lead the police force just as the Turks and Caicos prepared to return to elected governance following a two year period of UK direct rule.

Three years later, in February 2014, James Smith of Scotland was crowned commissioner where he remained for five years.

In August 2019, Trevor Botting, who served as the deputy police commissioner under James Smith was promoted.  Botting, was a former senior officer with the UK Sussex Police, who, in the Turks and Caicos held on to the ‘top cop’ job until November 2023, when he quietly demitted office and an announcement ushered in the era of Edvin Martin.

That era however was to be delayed; first until February, then until May but with a sudden vacancy, the arrival of Commissioner Martin came earlier and would be short-lived.

For three months residents of the Turks and Caicos would have Chris Eyre, former Chief Constable of Nottinghamshire Police given the interim job of TCI Police Commissioner.  Eyre was sworn in in February 2024.  But Eyre would mysteriously vanish, exiting in April ahead of schedule.  Hurriedly, Edvin Martin would be plugged into the job, appearing fit and healthy.

National Security leaders aimed to reassure residents and visitors that this tumultuousness was not impacting the fight against illegal migration and gang-fueled crime.

And in the absence of the duly appointed police commissioner, leadership of the Police Force fell to DCP Rodney Adams or ACP Kendall Grant, both of whom are native to the Turks and Caicos and both would serve in Martin’s stead.

Residents believe Adams’ and Grant’s ability to jump into the job of police commander is evidence of their qualification for the role on a more permanent basis.  The Office of the Governor’s apparent resistance to hiring a Turks and Caicos Islander is a trend many have characterised as demeaning and demoralising.  Countless numbers are on record citing that if a Turks and Caicos Islander is capable of holding the reins for months, they are also capable of holding the post forever.

The escalating murder rate and the apparent inability for ‘outsiders’ to effectively bring about that desperately needed abatement in deadly crime, is another reason many doubt the staffing choices of the British.

The new interim commissioner is a retiree from Jamaica:  Fitz Bailey.

Bailey, a 40-year, decorated officer who ascended to deputy commissioner on the Jamaica Constabulary Force, was brought in at the start of October when Martin’s leave of absence was announced.

“I am confident Mr Bailey is well placed to lead the Force drawing on his wealth of complex crime experience and strategic leadership. I thank the officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force for their continued professionalism and dedicated service,” said the governor.

The news of the resignation of Edvin Martin has left many residents dumbfounded.

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Caribbean News

Liberty Caribbean Supports Regional Forum on AI, Cyber Resilience and Digital Inclusion  

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Port of Spain, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (February 24, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, recently served as Gold-Level Partner of the two-day Trinidad and Tobago Internet Governance Forum (TTIGF), themed “The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience”.

The Digital Divide is of particular interest to Liberty Caribbean and is being addressed through its Charitable Foundation across the region. Low broadband penetration in the Caribbean contributes to diminished opportunities for individuals, communities, and local economies, but with the support of funding partners, this gap can be addressed through a comprehensive programme – JUMP – that focuses on providing access, devices, and digital skills.

“Liberty Caribbean was proud to serve as Gold-Level Partner of the TTIGF because the conversations taking place here shape key digital policies for multiple stakeholders,” said Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad.

“As technology accelerates at an unprecedented pace, we must ensure that innovation strengthens our societies rather than fragments them. The theme, ‘The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience,’ speaks directly to the work we do every day: building networks that are not only fast and reliable, but secure, inclusive and future-ready.”

Across the Caribbean, the digital divide remains one of the most pressing barriers to equitable growth. Low broadband penetration limits access to education, entrepreneurship and essential services, and that is why we are deeply committed to closing this gap.

Through the Liberty Caribbean Charitable Foundation and initiatives like the JUMP Programme, the company is expanding access to technology, affordable connectivity and digital skills training so that individuals and communities are empowered to participate fully in the digital economy.

Martin-Sulgan further stated “at Liberty Caribbean, we believe progress and responsibility must move in lock step. By investing in resilient networks, inclusive programmes and trusted partnerships, we are helping to build a Caribbean that is innovative, secure and prepared for the opportunities ahead.”

Topics covered during the Forum, with over 140 participants, included “Securing Critical Infrastructure”, Integrating AI into Digital Transformation”, “The Digital Divide”, The Human Cost of Innovation – Mental Health and Well-being in the Digital Age’, and AI, Cyber Resilience and Regional Innovation”.

Focused on the underlying mandate of the Conference theme thought leaders, innovators, policymakers, technologists, researchers, and community stakeholders were invited to explore how countries can evolve boldly without compromising values or long-term stability.

Photo Caption: 

TTIGF – l-r Darren Campo, Regulatory & Compliance Officer; Yolande Agard-Simmons, Senior Manager Communications; and Kevon Swift, Senior Manager Government and Regulatory Affairs of Flow Trinidad in attendance at the Post Event Mixer at Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s Head Office in St Clair, Port of Spain

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News

Multi-Agency Enforcement Action Conducted in Five Cays

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 20 February 2026 — The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), in collaboration with key government agencies, coordinated a multi-agency enforcement exercise on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at Block and Parcel 60609/33 in the Five Cays area.

The exercise was led by the Crown Land Unit, pursuant to its statutory mandate under the Crown Land Ordinance to prevent squatting and encroachment on Crown land. The ISU coordinated the operation, with support provided by the Planning Department and the Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force, while the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force ensured security throughout the activity.

The enforcement action followed a series of inspections conducted by the Crown Land Unit throughout Five Cays, which identified several illegally constructed buildings made of concrete and timber on sections of the subject parcel. In keeping with the provisions of the Crown Land Ordinance, occupied structures were served Letters of Illegal Occupation, delivered by hand to occupants and posted on structures where individuals were absent. Incomplete and unoccupied structures were served Notices of Unauthorized Occupation pursuant to section 22 of the Ordinance. A total of ten (10) Letters of Illegal Occupation and three (3) Notices of Unauthorized Occupation were issued during the exercise.

The Informal Settlements Unit reiterates that these coordinated enforcement exercises form part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to uphold the law, protect Crown land, and manage informal settlements in a structured and lawful manner. Members of the public are reminded that unauthorised occupation and development on Crown land is unlawful and subject to enforcement action.

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Health

What to Look for with Self-Checks at Home

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February is National Self- Check Month and family medicine physician at Cleveland Clinic, OH, John Hanicak, MD, highlights why at home self-checks are extremely important when it comes to not just early cancer detection but identifying other illnesses too and offers tips on what to look out for.

“Sometimes Ilook at them as sort of like your check engine light on the car, just like therewould be a red flashing light that tells you that there’s something wrong with acar and prompts you to bring that in and get serviced. Your body does the samething. It gives you warning signs tolook intothat symptom a little bit further,” said Hanicak.

Dr. Hanicak saidself-checks are going to be a little different for everyone. 

However, in general, he recommends looking for anything that may seem abnormal, such asunexplained weight loss,blood in your urine, bumps and bruisesthat won’t heal,and changes in bowel habits. 

For example, if you suddenly start going to the bathroom a lot more than you used to, that could bea signof something more serious. 

He also suggestsdoing regular skin checksanddocumentingany molesor spotsthat start to look different. 

“Realize that you are your own person.There’s nobody else in the world exactly like you.You’ve got your own set ofideas, your own family history and your own genetics.Know what is normal for you, and when that changes, that’s the kind of thing thatwe would be interested in talking about,” said Dr. Hanicak. 

Dr. Hanicaknotes that self-checks are not meant to replace cancer screenings, as those are just as important to keep up with. 

Press Release: Cleveland Clinic

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