News
Officially Sworn In; Commissioner Fitz Bailey Vows Action, Reform and Trust in Police Leadership
Deandrea Hamilton
Editor
Turks and Caicos, April 25, 2025 – Newly appointed Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey delivered a resolute and wide-ranging address, pledging transformative leadership of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force.
Standing before government officials, officers, and the public, Bailey described his appointment as not merely a personal achievement but a national milestone—one fueled by the shared longing for justice, safety, and stability.
Commissioner Bailey emphasized that policing is a sacred calling, not just a profession, and promised to lead not from behind a desk but from the frontlines—as a builder of trust and a servant of the people. Acknowledging every role within the force—from tactical and marine units to translators and cleaners—he affirmed the importance of unity and mutual respect at all levels.
Mr Fitz Bailey, originally from Jamaica was brought in as a special edition to the Police Force. He was officially sworn in as Deputy Commissioner back on October 7, in a ceremony led by H.E. Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam; a month later he was named the interim or acting commissioner of police. Six months later, on April 10, the governor confirmed that Bailey would fill the commissioner post permanently.
It was a critical spot left vacant when Edvin Martin, a retired police chief from Grenada resigned after five months at the helm of the Force and amidst speculation about his ailing health. That was last November.
“Following a competitive recruitment process, I have appointed Mr. Fitz Bailey as the next Commissioner of the Royal Turks and Caicos
Islands Police Force. This appointment signals a renewed commitment to safety, public confidence and the rule of law in every community. The security of our Islands requires bold leadership, modern policing strategies and the development of our capabilities. Having led the RTCIPF as Acting Commissioner for the past several months, I am confident that Mr Bailey brings the necessary depth of experience, vision and determination needed to lead this effort and ensure the safety of our communities,” said Her Excellency, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, TCI Governor.
On Friday April 25, 2025 at the swearing in ceremony held at the Gus Lightbourne Sports complex, Commissioner Bailey aimed for a posture of resolve, touting his work ethic and his faith.
Determined to confront rising crime and rebuild public confidence, Bailey unveiled a 30-day plan focused on increased patrols, joint task force operations, safety audits, and a visible leadership presence. “This is not symbolic,” he said. “We are a Force in action—not in waiting.”
Bailey also called out longstanding imbalances, vowing to address gender inequality in the force’s leadership and champion professional development. He promised an inclusive, modern police service rooted in values, not just enforcement.
“My leadership will be measured by results, not rhetoric,” he declared. “Together, we rise.”
Premier Misick Calls Appointment of New Police Commissioner a “Pivotal Moment” in TCI’s Fight Against Crime
Premier Charles Washington Misick hailed the appointment of Commissioner Fitz Bailey as the beginning of a new chapter in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ fight for public safety, accountability, and trust.
Speaking at the formal installation ceremony, which was attended by the Commissioners of Police from both The Bahamas and Jamaica; the Premier declared the moment “pivotal,” emphasizing the government’s commitment to strengthening law enforcement leadership and transforming the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force.
Commissioner Bailey, a seasoned Jamaican crime-fighter with over 40 years of experience, was praised for his frontline leadership in gang suppression, financial crimes, and counterterrorism. “This is not a ceremonial role—it is a calling,” the Premier said, urging Bailey to lead boldly, justly, and with measurable results.
The Premier charged Bailey with restoring public trust, dismantling criminal networks, and ensuring officer wellbeing. He also called for the modernization of the force through education, technology, and capacity building.
Addressing the nation’s officers, Premier Misick assured them of the government’s support, noting that Bailey, having “stood where you stand,” would lead from the front. “The country is watching,” he said. “And we believe you are ready.”
The speech concluded with a vision of legacy—one rooted in law, order, and lasting transformation.
TCIG knew from April that fuel factor could surge almost 80%; Minister says $500 cost-of-living payment was part of Government’s response
PROVIDENCIALES — The Turks and Caicos Government knew months before July’s shocking electricity bills that consumers faced a potentially massive increase in the fuel factor.
Minister of Information Technology and Energy E. Jay Saunders revealed Friday that Pelican Energy warned his Ministry in April that generation fuel costs were projected to rise from $3.09 per gallon in May to $4.79 in June and July.
That translated into a projected fuel factor jump from about 17.5 cents to 31 cents per kilowatt-hour — an increase of almost 80%.
Saunders said he personally advised Cabinet of the projected increase and presented options for cushioning the impact.
He characterised Government’s $500 cost-of-living payment as its “initial response” to rising fuel costs, before a separate fuel-factor subsidy was approved.
Cabinet records show Government agreed on June 24 to provide funding to mitigate the fuel-factor impact, with the relief programme approved July 8.
Eligible residential customers — those averaging less than $1,500 monthly over the previous three bills — are capped at 22 cents per kWh from July through October.
Pelican confirmed Friday that Government’s contribution was already applied to July bills, meaning the bills now triggering widespread public outrage would have been even higher without the subsidy.
Saunders did not disclose the programme’s total cost.
His admission that Government knew since April, however, raises another question amid the backlash: why were consumers not directly warned by Government about the scale of the approaching increase?
NASSAU, Bahamas — More Bahamians are accessing HIV and sexually transmitted infection-related healthcare through National Health Insurance, a trend the NHI Authority says should be viewed positively.
NHIA stressed in an August 6 statement that its 2025 figures measure healthcare utilisation, not newly diagnosed infections. They include beneficiaries screened, treated, monitored or receiving follow-up care, including people diagnosed previously.
“Increased utilisation of these services should be viewed as a positive development,” NHIA said.
The Authority pointed to “greater enrolment and use of NHI, improved access to screening and testing, continued treatment and monitoring of existing conditions, and increased willingness to seek medical care.”
The development comes amid a mixed three-year HIV picture. New diagnoses rose from 130 in 2023 to 156 in 2024, before declining to 142 in 2025.
NHIA said increased utilisation demonstrates that more beneficiaries are accessing needed healthcare and actively managing their health, reinforcing the importance of screening, early diagnosis and continued treatment.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Americas has recorded 47,459 confirmed measles cases and 44 deaths in 2026, the region’s highest case count in 22 years, prompting the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to urge stronger vaccination, surveillance and rapid outbreak response.
As of July 18, cases were already more than triple the 15,011 recorded during all of 2025. Guatemala, Mexico, the United States and Peru
account for 95% of confirmed cases. Guatemala leads with 30,371 cases and 26 deaths, followed by Mexico with 12,255 cases and 17 deaths.
PAHO classifies the regional public health risk as very high, citing active outbreaks, immunity gaps, international travel and populations with inadequate vaccination coverage.
The organization says prevention starts with vaccination. Countries are being urged to achieve and maintain at least 95% coverage with two doses of measles-containing vaccine, particularly protecting children and under-vaccinated communities.
Measles spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. Symptoms can include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and a rash.
PAHO is urging health authorities to detect suspected cases early and respond rapidly to stop transmission. Unvaccinated and under-vaccinated people, young children and communities with limited healthcare access face increased risk of severe illness and death.
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