News
TCI Police Commissioner Shuffle; Thirteen Years, Six Commissioners and deadly crime higher than ever
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.
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, is proud to once again support Basketball Smiles for their 27th year.
Upholding its corporate pillar of community outreach, CBC proudly donated $2,000, over 75 cases of Dasani, Powerade and Sprite, reusable
Powerade water bottles and numerous marketing materials.
The annual sporting summer camp offers free basketball and life skills training to Junior and High School students.
Basketball Smiles’ mission of developing leadership qualities while fostering children’s academic achievement and self-esteem aligns perfectly with CBC’s commitment to supporting and empowering youth.
Jazmin Darling, Assistant Marketing Manager for Caribbean Bottling Company shared why the company continues to support this program each year.
“At CBC, we believe investing in our youth is one of the greatest ways to strengthen our communities. We’re proud to support Basketball Smiles each year because it goes beyond the game. This program champions healthy lifestyles, positive values and brighter futures. It’s a privilege to play a role in helping these young athletes reach their full potential each year,” she shared.
Sam Nicholls, Basketball Smiles Camp President and Founder expressed.
“Caribbean Bottling Company is an incredible partner. We are truly grateful for their generous support, which will go a long way in making a positive impact on the lives of our campers,” Nicholls expressed.
CBC is always ready to lend its support toward initiatives and programs that uplift young Bahamians. The impact Basketball Smiles makes on the community is undeniable and is why CBC remains a historic sponsor.
For more information on sponsorship, events and new products, visit www.cbcbahamas.com today.
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines and Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wine and spirits distributor is thrilled to once again lend its support to Transforming Spaces (TS).
CWS is a proud historical partner of the annual art week which highlights Bahamian art and art spaces. Under this year’s theme, “Chasing
Light” Transforming Spaces and Caribbean Wines & Spirits created a memorable art experience.
To mark 21 years of the upliftment and exposure of culture and Bahamian art, CWS offered award winning wines St. Francis, Rebellious, Bottega and Excellsior; premium spirits, Cross Keys Gin, El Tequileno Tequila, Angostura Rum and Nemiroff Vodka, along with the newly added Coors Light Beer from its portfolio.
To kickstart the annual art week, CWS delighted attendees with a tasting of globally renowned Bottega Wines at TS’ Poetry Jam, held at ICE Bahamas. Throughout the event, Bottega brand representatives shared tasting notes, ideal pairings, and insights into the brand’s portfolio.
During the highly anticipated Saturday and Sunday tours, CWS showcased its premium products at select art galleries.
Attendees enjoyed Rebellious and St. Francis wines at The Current: Baha Mar Art Gallery and Museum, Bottega and Excellsior wines at the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas, Coors Light beer at the University of The Bahamas Pro Gallery and hand-crafted Schweppes mixes featuring Cross Keys Gin, El Tequileno Tequila, Angostura Rum and Nemiroff Vodka at CAB Gallery & Studio.
Throughout the two-day tour, CWS product specialists enriched the experience by providing a deeper appreciation for their exceptional beverage portfolio.
Members of the Transforming Spaces Committee expressed their appreciation towards CWS’ support after another successful art week.
“Transforming Spaces is deeply grateful for the continued support of Caribbean Wines & Spirits over the years. Their partnership has become such an important part of the TS experience, helping us create welcoming and vibrant moments for our audiences across the tour weekend. From signature wines and cocktail bars to refreshments at gallery stops and pop-up events, their contribution brings an added sense of hospitality, celebration, and connection to the journey through Bahamian contemporary art.” — TS2026 Committee.
Caribbean Wines & Spirits is proud to partner with Transforming Spaces in supporting and elevating the voices and works of Bahamian artists and looks forward to strengthening this partnership for years to come.
To learn more about CWS’ involvement in the community, follow on social media @caribbeanwinesandspirits or visit the website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.
By Magnetic Media Newsroom
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands — The Turks and Caicos Islands Government says the breakdown of its relationship
with InterHealth Canada presents an opportunity to reshape healthcare delivery, with plans to expand local medical services, strengthen primary care and reduce dependence on overseas treatment.
During a national briefing following InterHealth Canada’s notice terminating its hospital contract, Premier Charles Washington Misick acknowledged publicly for the first time that Government and InterHealth had been negotiating an exit from the arrangement for more than a year after what he described as an “irretrievably broken down” relationship.
Despite the contractual dispute, Misick and Health Minister Kyle Knowles stressed that healthcare services will continue uninterrupted during the transition.
“Allow us to do our job,” Knowles appealed, assuring residents that Government is actively managing the transition and safeguarding patient care.
The Premier outlined what amounts to a broader healthcare transformation built around four connected levels of care: strengthened community-based primary healthcare; expanded polyclinic services; enhanced hospital-based secondary care with greater specialist capacity; and overseas tertiary treatment only for cases that cannot be managed locally.
Among the proposals are the long-discussed establishment of intensive care units, expanded use of currently unfinished hospital space,
recruitment of more resident specialist physicians and stronger contract management to oversee future healthcare agreements.
Knowles said the new polyclinic model will broaden services available outside the hospitals, including dentistry, ophthalmology, laboratory services, diagnostic imaging, gynaecology and preventative screening, helping to reduce pressure on emergency departments while improving early intervention.
Misick also acknowledged that while the hospital system significantly improved healthcare access after opening in 2010, Government believes further reform is necessary to improve affordability, sustainability and the range of services available within the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The briefing marked the Government’s most comprehensive explanation to date of its plans beyond the InterHealth contract, signalling that officials now see the transition as an opportunity to redesign healthcare delivery rather than simply replace one operator with another.
-
Government1 week agoGovernment Outlines New Healthcare Vision as Interhealth Exit Accelerates Reform
-
News1 week agoPlanning for Tomorrow: Why Sustainable Communities Begin with Good Planning
-
Bahamas News1 week agoCaught in the Net, Not Accused of Wrongdoing
-
Bahamas News3 days agoCaribbean Bottling Supports the 27th Basketball Smiles Week
-
Bahamas News3 days agoCWS Supports Transforming Spaces with Premium Products and Unique Cocktails