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TCI Police Commissioner Shuffle; Thirteen Years, Six Commissioners and deadly crime higher than ever

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Deandrea Hamilton

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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.

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Beaches Turks & Caicos wrapped up another successful Provo Men’s Premier League season  

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PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: — Beaches Turks and Caicos continued its strong commitment to sports development in the Turks and Caicos Islands with its sponsorship of the 2025/2026 Provo Men’s Premier League, a partnership that has significantly elevated the competition for a second consecutive year.

The season, which saw an increase in participating teams and heightened competitiveness across the league, has been widely regarded as one of the most successful in recent years. The top honours were shared between two of the league’s most dominant sides, SWA Sharks FC and Academy Eagles FC, both delivering consistent and high-level performances throughout the campaign.

Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association (TCIFA) Technical Director Dane Ritchie highlighted the critical role Beaches Turks and Caicos played in strengthening the league’s structure and overall quality.

“The sponsorship from Beaches Turks and Caicos for the second year helped tremendously in making the competition a success,” Ritchie said. “This season we were able to have a more structured programme with the inclusion of youth talents coming to the fore, as well as the improvement of the coaching staff for the different teams being certified by Concacaf.”

Ritchie noted that the enhanced organisation of the league created more opportunities for emerging players, while also raising the standard of coaching and match preparation. The integration of youth talent into senior teams was particularly impactful, signaling a positive shift toward long-term player development within the territory.

Provo Men’s Premier League President Patrick Baptiste echoed these sentiments, describing the season as a milestone for both football and youth advancement in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

“This was a very good year for football and youth development,” Baptiste said. “We were able to overcome a few challenging moments, but the overall grade for this season is an A.”

Baptiste emphasised that the continued support from Beaches Turks and Caicos has been instrumental in driving the league forward, providing much-needed financial backing and stability.

“With a title sponsor like Beaches Turks and Caicos providing the financial support again for this season, we are grateful,” he added. “We have come a far way and we still have a way to go, but the TCIFA team has been charged to continue to be creative in our marketing and being more inclusive in how we seek to showcase the talents of the TCI.”

Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort General Manager Deryk Meany also expressed satisfaction with the partnership and the overall progress of the league.

“Our commitment to youth development and the growth of sports and community throughout the TCI is of paramount importance to us as an organisation,” Meany said. “We are satisfied with this partnership and being the main sponsor is a major accomplishment for the resort. We are happy to have fielded a team this season that was placed fourth in the knockout round of the competition. We are seeking to continue to provide growth for our team members as well as the development of talent throughout the TCI.”

The 2025/2026 season also reflected broader efforts to professionalize football operations locally, including improved scheduling, officiating standards and fan engagement initiatives. Matches drew increased attendance, while community interest in the sport continued to grow, particularly among young athletes aspiring to compete at higher levels.

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Platinum Sponsor Beaches Turks & Caicos celebrates top Corporate Engagement title at DG’s 5K 2026  

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PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: — Beaches Turks and Caicos has been recognised with the corporate engagement award after fielding the largest number of participants in the second staging of the Turks and Caicos Islands Deputy Governor’s 5K Run/Walk, held recently.

The resort, which also served as a platinum sponsor for the event, mobilized an impressive team of 100 participants, demonstrating its strong commitment to community engagement, health, and philanthropy. Proceeds from the initiative will benefit three key organisations: the Turks and Caicos Islands Cancer Society, the United Way of the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Ashley Learning Centre.

General Manager Deryk Meany praised the collective effort of the Beaches team, highlighting the significance of the initiative both for employee wellness and community impact.

“This was a team effort that saw the resort mobilising a strong team to participate in this event,” Meany said. “It provided a healthy activity for participation as well as giving back to a worthy cause. Congratulations to the Deputy Governor and her organising team for staging such a successful event.”

Participants from across various departments joined the early morning run/walk, showcasing camaraderie, determination and a shared commitment to making a difference.

Hotel Manager Ghislain Boutoulle described the event as both physically rewarding and meaningful.

“The route was very good. It was challenging at first but once I got the pace of the run, it was a good morning workout that was done for a worthy cause,” Boutoulle shared. “The Beaches team were well organised and showed the grit and determination to complete the run.”

For many team members, the experience extended beyond fitness, offering opportunities for personal connection and memorable moments. Soraha Jolly from the resort’s entertainment department highlighted the event’s emotional significance.

“This was good. I got the chance to participate with my mother and we ended the run feeling healthy,” Jolly said. “The event was a combination of partnership, healthy lifestyle and camaraderie. I am looking forward to the next staging to be the first to register for the Beaches team. It was a great experience for the entire team, but a very special one for me and my mom.”

Deputy Governor Her Excellency Anya Williams commended all participants and sponsors, with special recognition given to Beaches Turks and Caicos for its outstanding contribution.

“The three beneficiaries for this year’s staging were carefully selected to benefit from this event,” the Deputy Governor noted. “Giving back to the community, providing support for health through the Cancer Society and building a strong platform for education with the Ashley Learning Centre allowed the team to give back to a great cause.”

She continued, “We are grateful for all our sponsors but a special commendation to our platinum sponsor, the Beaches Turks and Caicos team, for not only donating but having the largest contingent of participants for this event. This is what true partnership looks like as we continue to build a strong relationship to make our community and the Turks and Caicos Islands better.”

The Deputy Governor’s 5K Run/Walk continues to grow as a signature community event, promoting wellness while raising critical funds for organisations that support health, education and social development across the islands.

Beaches Turks and Caicos’ strong showing this year underscores the resort’s ongoing commitment to corporate social responsibility and community partnership. With its record participation and enthusiastic team spirit, the resort has set a high benchmark for future events, reinforcing its role as a leader in both hospitality and community engagement in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

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Experience Turks and Caicos and Statistics Authority Publish Latest Visitor Exit Survey Report    

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (June 16th, 2026) — Experience Turks and Caicos, in collaboration with the Statistics Authority, has announced the completion and publication of the latest Visitor Exit Survey Report, providing enhanced insights into visitor behaviour, spending patterns and overall travel experiences in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The Visitor Exit Survey is a joint initiative designed to better understand the characteristics of visitors to the destination, including their travel motivations, length of stay, expenditure, satisfaction levels and perceptions of the Turks and Caicos Islands as a tourism destination.

While exit surveys have been conducted in previous years, this latest publication marks a significant enhancement in the way tourism data is collected and shared. It introduces a new quarterly reporting framework, with surveys conducted at the end of each quarter and findings published on a more frequent basis throughout the year.

This improved reporting cycle is intended to provide more timely and actionable insights to support tourism planning, policy development, marketing strategy formulation and broader industry decision-making.

“The Statistics Authority is pleased to partner with Experience Turks and Caicos on the Visitor Exit Survey program,” said Mr. Shirlen Forbes, Director. “As tourism remains the cornerstone of our economy, reliable and timely data is essential for understanding visitor behaviour, measuring tourism’s economic impact and supporting informed decision-making. We value our ongoing collaboration with Experience Turks and Caicos and believe these quarterly reports will provide stakeholders with valuable insights to help guide the future growth and development of the industry.”

Miss Sharissa Lightbourne, Marketing Intelligence Manager of Experience Turks and Caicos, noted that the expanded approach will allow government and industry stakeholders to better track trends in visitor behaviour and assess the economic contribution of tourism beyond traditional arrival statistics.

“Data is the foundation of informed decision-making and plays a critical role in shaping the future of our tourism industry. The insights contained in this report provide a deeper understanding of who our visitors are, how they experience the destination, and how they engage with our tourism product. This information is invaluable to our hotel partners, service providers, investors and other stakeholders as they refine their business strategies, enhance the visitor experience and identify new opportunities for growth. I would like to thank the Statistics Authority for its continued collaboration and commitment to strengthening tourism intelligence in the Turks and Caicos Islands. I encourage everyone in the industry to download the report and explore the valuable insights it contains,” she said.

The findings will also support more targeted destination marketing efforts, improved visitor experience initiatives and more informed investment decisions across the tourism sector.

Experience Turks and Caicos and the Statistics Authority reaffirm their commitment to strengthening tourism intelligence and ensuring that stakeholders across the industry have access to reliable, timely and relevant data.

Download the report here: https://issuu.com/myexperiencetci/docs/tci_departing_visitor_survey_report_q1_2026

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