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TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS BOOSTS SECURITY RESOURCES 

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JOINT PRESS STATEMENT

 FROM THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE AND 

THE OFFICE OF THE PREMIER AND PUBLIC POLICY

 

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 15th May 2025 – Today, Her Excellency the Governor, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam and the Honourable Premier Charles Washington Misick OBE attended a ceremony, held at the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) Marine Branch,  to commission two new vessels, which have been provided to the Turks and Caicos Islands as part of a joint initiative between the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the UK Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), the Governor’s Office and the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force.

The two vessels, funded by the FCDO Border Security Programme, will form part of the Royal Turks and Caicos Island Police Force’s Marine Branch, complementing their existing fleet. The vessels enhance our capability to be agile in our maritime law enforcement efforts and strengthen our emergency response search and rescue capability. They will be named Sea Challenger and Sea Contender reflecting the spirit of the RTCIPF’s operations in keeping the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands safe.  The RNLI will provide training in the operations of these vessels later this month

At the commissioning ceremony, Her Excellency the Governor and the Honourable Premier also announced the arrival of regional resources to assist the RTCIPF:

  • This afternoon, 10 tactical officers from the Barbados Police Service arrived in Providenciales to provide strategic and operational security assistance to the Turks and Caicos Islands. Upon arrival, the officers will undergo an initial orientation before being sworn in as Special Constables of the RTCIPF. Members of the team will be deployed to support tactical operations. A further deployment of 30 tactical officers from another RSS Member State is expected before the end of the month. As part of the agreement, the RTCIPF will be provided with expert surge support officers to augment the existing cadre and develop capability.
  • Also, this month, CARICOM IMPACS will be in the Turks and Caicos Islands to deliver the first phase of a comprehensive Intelligence training programme to members of the RTCIPF, TCI Regiment, Border Force, HM Prison, Financial Intelligence Unit and the National Security Secretariat.

This package of regional security assistance follows the attendance of Her Excellency the Governor and Honourable Minister Arlington Musgrove at the 28th Meeting of The Council for National Security and Law Enforcement (CONSLE) in November 2024, and active discussions by the Turks and Caicos Islands Government with the Regional Security System (RSS) and its Member States.

The security assistance will significantly bolster national security and local law enforcement by enabling collaboration, resource sharing and strategic planning. More specifically, this will include:

  • Joint Operations;
  • Intelligence Sharing;
  • Training and Capacity Building;
  • Strengthening Border Security; and Combating Organized Crime Networks.

The Hon. Premier Charles Washington Misick OBE said:

The commissioning of these police vessels represents a critical step forward in strengthening our national security and safeguarding the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands. I am grateful to the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office for their partnership in providing these vessels, supporting my Government’s commitment to equip law enforcement with the tools they need to protect our borders and uphold the rule of law.

The Government welcomes the deployment of ten additional police officers from Barbados as part of our ongoing strategic efforts to bolster national security and enhance the operational capacity of our law enforcement agencies. This reinforcement solidifies the TCI’s regional collaboration framework and underscores the shared objectives within the Caribbean toward addressing transnational crime, ensuring public order, and supporting intelligence-led policing. We are grateful to the Government and Commissioner of Police of Barbados for this timely support and reaffirm our commitment to maintaining a coordinated, regional approach to security and crime prevention.

Her Excellency the Governor, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam said:

Today marks a significant step forward in our national security strategy, as we commission two new maritime police vessels provided by the UK and welcome a contingent of tactical police officers from the Barbados Police Service. We are grateful to the FCDO, the Government of Barbados, Commissioner of Police of Barbados and the RSS for their valued support. These developments – alongside the launch of a targeted intelligence training programme with CARICOM IMPACS and a further regional deployment of 30 tactical officers expected before the end of the month – reflect not only the strength of our enduring partnerships and regional solidarity in tackling shared threats, but also the deliberate and determined efforts of the National Security Council to underpin law enforcement efforts and enhance our national defence posture. This is more than an operational boost – it is a step change in how we confront crime, secure our borders and safeguard our citizens.

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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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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