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TCI Public says: we’ve research the New Police Commissioner, here’s what we found out

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The new Police Commissioner for the Royal Turks & Caicos Police Force

Deandrea Hamilton and Dana Malcolm

Editorial Staff

#TurksandCaicosIslands, December 12, 2023 – He has not even begun working,  but with the announcement of who is set to take over at the helm of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police and the ease of access to information on just about any public figure, we can report that there is mounting concern about the Governor’s selection, Edvin Martin

 

On Monday, in a Facebook post, the Turks and Caicos Islands learned that a retired police commissioner from Grenada was the man awarded what some might describe as an onerous scope of work as the new Police Commissioner for the TCI. Her Excellency Dileeni Daniel-Selveratnam, Governor of the Islands, announced who would carry on following the end of the tenure of Trevor Botting in a season when crime is more heinous and higher than it’s ever been.

 

The leading concern expressed to Magnetic Media was the unbridled disappointment that a Turks & Caicos Islander was once again passed over for the job.

 

“What a shame we are still in a position where our own can’t rise to this level through succession planning,” said one man.

 

Another said, “Choose a reject over our own!”

 

Following that, residents had a lot to say about the less-than-admirable news reports that exposed the raised level of crime in Grenada.

 

One opined, “We went from bad to worse.”

 

The new commissioner, Edvin Martin, served on the Grenada Police Force for 37 years. His final five years were as its commissioner.

 

In his final twelve months of service in Grenada, while crime overall rose only slightly, homicides skyrocketed by over 500 percent according to Dickon Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada.

 

“Last year, for the same period, we would have had three homicides. This year, we are indeed at an alarming number of 14 homicides. As I’ve said, one homicide is one homicide too many,” he told the media in July 2023.

 

Blamed for the rising murders by both Prime Minister Mitchell and Martin was poor conflict resolution skills among residents.

 

Turks and Caicos Islanders are sharing their findings on social media, admittedly perturbed by Daniel-Severatnam’s decision to bring in a chief of police who was riding retirement age and who had expressed a “deliberate” decision to leave the GPF.

 

Another person commenting said, “Nothing new… We always bring retirees for positions here. I’m not against foreigners, but I have several questions.

1. How is this fair to the local population who are forced to retire at 60?

2. We’ve been doing this for several decades in our public services. What value has this added to the public service and what does this say about our succession planning? Does it even exist?

3. What tangible capacities and capabilities has these numerous individuals built or left with us?

4. Lastly, what message are we sending to our own people?”

 

Prior to Martin’s departure, he had reportedly spent weeks away from work because of ill health according to news agencies in Grenada. It was widely reported that his decision to leave was personal and he was not forced out.

 

“After consultation with my family it is my own deliberate decision to retire at this point in time and that there are no other influencing factors to cause or promote that decision,” Martin had said.

“I have heard the discussions in the public, I just want to make it absolutely clear it is my own deliberate decision in consultation with my family at this point in time.”

Yet, Martin went on to take up a post as Manager of The CARICOM Crime Gun Intelligence Unit (CGIU) in November, spending less than a month in the post before confirming his employment with the Turks and Caicos which will begin in 2024.

Another citizen weighed in on how easy it was to see what the TCI was getting in the Commissioner this go round; their reaction was confusion over the choice given so many perceived misses since 2014, which started the string of hiring of foreign police chiefs.

“With access to info via social media why didn’t TCIG capture this on the new COP?”

Despite concerns, Martin, informs the governor’s statement, brings significant experience to his role as the TCIs new top cop. He holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree with honours in Business Administration and a Master’s of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice. He is also a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI and has over 37 years in policing experience.

The new Police Commissioner for the Royal Turks & Caicos Police Force takes office in February.

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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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Mottley Sworn in After Historic Clean Sweep in Barbados Election

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Barbados, February 12, 2026 – Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley was this afternoon officially sworn in for a third consecutive term, hours after delivering one of the most emphatic election victories in Caribbean political history — another complete capture of all 30 seats in Barbados’ House of Assembly.

The ceremony, conducted by President His Excellency Lt. Col. The Most Honourable Jeffrey Bostic, marked the formal start of a new administration following the February 11, 2026 general election, which returned the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) to power with a renewed and overwhelming mandate.

In a statement after taking the oath, Mottley said she accepted the responsibility “with humility and resolve,” thanking the people of Barbados for placing their trust in her leadership once again and urging national unity as her government begins its new term. Attorney Wilfred Abrahams was also sworn in as Attorney General.

The result is historic not only for its scale but for its consistency. This is the third straight general election in which the BLP has won every constituency, reinforcing Mottley’s dominance in national politics and extending an unmatched era of one-party control in the modern democratic period.

Voting day unfolded under the watch of a CARICOM Election Observation Mission, led by Antigua and Barbuda’s Supervisor of Elections Ian Hughes and supported by senior electoral officials from Belize and Jamaica. The team engaged key institutions ahead of the poll and monitored the process across the island.

Regional leaders were swift in their congratulations.

Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali described the outcome as “emphatic and historic,” saying the clean sweep reflected how deeply Mottley’s leadership has connected with Barbadians and expressing optimism about strengthening ties between the two countries.

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness also hailed the victory, noting that her re-election provides an opportunity to deepen cooperation within CARICOM and advance shared regional priorities.

The scale of the win again leaves Barbados without a parliamentary opposition, a reality that has become a defining feature of the political landscape since 2018. Supporters argue the repeated mandate reflects public confidence in Mottley’s stewardship of economic reform, climate diplomacy, the transition to a republic, and Barbados’ expanding global influence.

Now, newly sworn in and backed by another unanimous parliamentary majority, Mottley begins a third term with both extraordinary political capital and equally high expectations at home and across the region.

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Liberty Caribbean Committed to ‘Elevating Region’ at CANTO  

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Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago

Liberty Caribbean is Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and 42nd AGM

 

Port of Spain, TRININDAD & TOBAGO (February 1, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow. Liberty Business and BTC, has reaffirmed its commitment to turning regional connectivity into measurable economic and social outcomes as Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and its 42nd Annual General Meeting.

CANTO is the leading regional body that brings together telecommunications operators, ICT providers, regulators, governments, and industry partners to support the development of the Caribbean’s digital and communications landscape.

Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago delivered the sponsor’s address on behalf of Liberty Caribbean.

“The work of laying fibre and lighting towers is done; connectivity is now our foundation,” she said.

“The real task before us is to translate that foundation into innovation, productivity and prosperity for our people. Intelligent connectivity, such as networks designed for 5G, AI and IoT, will be the platform for smarter public services, more resilient systems and scaled opportunities for Caribbean entrepreneurs.”

Martin-Sulgan emphasised that infrastructure alone will not deliver sustainable progress.

“Digital progress must become digital prosperity. That means creating career pathways for young people, helping local businesses scale and ensuring citizens across our communities can fully participate in the digital economy. A connected Caribbean should also be a confident, creative and globally competitive Caribbean,” she said.

Liberty Caribbean is represented by a senior delegation at CANTO Connect to support the conference objectives of aligning policy, investment and execution across the region under this year’s theme ‘Elevate the Caribbean – From Connectivity to Global Competitiveness’.

Liberty Caribbean’s delegation includes Inge Smidts, Chief Executive Officer; Desron Bynoe, VP and General Manager, Flow Barbados; Susanna O’Sullivan, VP and General Manager, North Caribbean; Marilyn Sealy, Senior Director, Head of Communications; Dominic Boon, VP, People; Daniel Neiva, Chief Commercial Officer, B2B; Bradley Ramcharan, Director, B2B, Trinidad & Tobago; Yolande Headley, Country Manager, Dutch East Caribbean; and Jade Reymond, Country Manager, Flow Anguilla.

Martin-Sulgan thanked CANTO’s local secretariat for convening the forum and urged delegates to convert conversation into action.

“If we align policy, capital and capability, the Caribbean can move from connectivity to competitiveness. Liberty Caribbean will continue to invest in resilient networks, nurture homegrown talent and partner to deliver measurable social and economic value across our markets,” she said.

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