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.