TCI News
PDM Calls for Overhaul of Police Force, Social Solutions, and Border Reform to Tackle Crime Surge
Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
Turks and Caiocos, August 8, 2025 – The People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) has issued an urgent and sweeping policy statement on crime prevention and national security, calling for an independent review of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force and proposing a series of bold legislative and strategic interventions aimed at restoring public trust and safety in the wake of surging violent crime.
Presenting the plan was Douglas Parnell, former party leader, who outlined the party’s vision during a press conference held earlier this week.
At the top of the PDM’s crime prevention and reduction policy is a demand for an independent audit of the police force’s structure, leadership, and effectiveness. The party questioned whether imported leadership is a sustainable long-term strategy, and whether the current command structure truly meets the needs of the public—especially as murders continue to mount at alarming rates.
“Shouldn’t we call the shots if we’re the ones paying?” the policy asks, suggesting that policing may need to be placed in the hands of a local police commission through urgent constitutional amendment.
Beyond law enforcement, the PDM’s plan identifies a much deeper, systemic issue fueling crime: social and economic inequality. The policy warns that the territory is now importing both wealth and poverty, which may explain the alarming increase in serious crimes.
“We call on all sectors to promote love over hate, to respect each other, to enrich ourselves fairly through work, and to avoid vengeance.
The party also raised alarms about repeat offenders being released on bail, calling for a full review of bail and remand procedures. They argue that judges who consistently grant bail to violent suspects must face accountability. To modernize national security efforts, the PDM is advocating for technological upgrades including drones, live-access traffic systems, smart patrol cars, forensic testing facilities, and the introduction of ShotSpotter—an advanced gunshot detection technology used in North America.
“Police must be equipped with vehicles that work and tools that give them an advantage. Right now, Providenciales has just 19 police vehicles. That’s unacceptable,” the statement continued. The PDM calls for at least 100 vehicles to be made available on the island, ensuring a 20-vehicle, 24-hour patrol. They also pushed for every officer to be armed, even when off duty, and for the reinstatement of a police training school to boost recruitment and preparedness.
Border security is another major focus area. The PDM wants 100% radar coverage of the coastline and intelligence operations established in neighboring countries, pointing to the failures of existing multilateral efforts like OPBAT.
“Operation Bahamas and Turks and Caicos (OPBAT) has failed to stop drugs, sloops, and guns. We need real cooperation from Britain and the U.S., and targeted intelligence in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and the Bahamas.”
On the controversial matter of illegal immigration, the policy is blunt: foreign operations are needed to stop illegal migration at the source, and the country must have the tools to protect its borders.
Other major proposals include:
- Allowing more law-abiding citizens to carry firearms legally
- Establishing indoor shooting ranges for training
- Conflict resolution training in schools and workplaces
The PDM says this is about more than just political point-scoring. They argue their plan is a roadmap to restore public confidence and reduce the fear gripping communities.
“Everyone must feel safe in this country again,” the statement concluded, as the opposition laid down what it considers to be a national imperative: to face the crime crisis with a comprehensive and locally driven approach that puts the safety of the people first.