TCI News
TCI: RTCIPF host CRIOC Counter Illegal Migration Talks
#Providenciales, July 19, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force hosted The Caribbean Regional Information Operations Council (CRIOC) through a week long planning session July 15th- 19th, 2019, to counter transnational threat networks operating in the Caribbean, but more specific to the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Bahamas.
The CRIOC delegation comprised of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF), the Turks and Caicos Islands Immigration Department, The Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF), U.N. Migration Agency- Haiti, U.S. Embassy Nassau Bahamas, The Ministry of Defence -UK, The U.S North and South Command and the U.S Coastguard.
The sessions saw discussions on the Haiti Migration issue, including the causes, trends, capabilities, and current initiatives to counter illegal migration, Strategic Narrative Development & Target Audience Segmentation, how to develop strategies to counter illegal Migration and Counter Strategic Competitors, and how to create a regional Counter Illegal Migration campaign to increase RTCIPF and RBDF intelligence sharing, interoperability, coordination, and joint operations.
Dr. Ben Gochman, Chairman of CRIOC said it was a very successful week. He added, “We’ve developed a plan, ‘OPERATION STINGRAY’ to counter illegal trafficking and irregular migration through the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands waters. We came up with solutions to the said issues and we are hoping to launch in six months. We appreciate the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force for their support and participation in this initiative, we couldn’t have done it without them”.
Commissioner of Police, Mr. James Smith in commenting on the sessions said he is pleased with the work done thus far. He stated, “I am very impressed by the commitment and output by the CRIOC team that came here, combined together to take the views of everybody involved in this difficult irregular migration situation, and I am sure they are going to produce a plan that is very effective for us in the near future”.
Also speaking on the meetings, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr. Rodney Adams said, “The efforts of our local, regional and international partners have resulted in a very positive outcome this week. This partnership confirms that through working with allies, we can certainly recognize common challenges and develop strategies to tackle the issues involved. Once implemented, ‘OPERATION STINGRAY’ will allow us to focus our resources on the issues that threaten the national security of the TCI”.
Meanwhile, the last day of the sessions saw briefs to His Excellency Governor Nigel Dakin, Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Hon. Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson and Minister of Immigration, Hon. Vaden Delroy Williams.
Governor Nigel Dakin stated, “It is excellent that we’ve got regional partners, The United States, The United Kingdom and someone that could talk to us about the issues from Haiti because together, we stand a chance of actually doing something very serious about this very serious problem”.
The Premier Hon. Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson said, “We are extremely grateful when we have our partners come to the Turks and Caicos Islands to help with what is one of our most challenging issues. Today is certainly a show of our support and the strength of our partnerships, who have come to the table with us to show the Turks and Caicos that we are serious about irregular migration. It is a serious issue that we are going to take head-on and it is something we are looking for support, not just from global and regional partners but from the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands, as it is certainly in the best interest of our country.”
Release: TCI Police
Turks and Caicos, October 28, 2025 – We are closely monitoring the impact of Hurricane Melissa on Jamaica, and our thoughts and prayers are with our regional neighbours for their safety and well-being
We are now entering a critical period as Hurricane Melissa advances towards the Turks and Caicos Islands. Current projections indicate that Hurricane Melissa will begin to impact the Turks and Caicos Islands around midday tomorrow, Wednesday, 29th October.
This morning, Her Excellency the Governor and the Hon. Premier chaired a State of Preparedness Meeting. All Government agencies and critical services are mobilised. The safety and protection of every person across our Islands remains our highest priority. Our emergency response teams are prepared and the TCI Regiment is deployed across each of our Islands to support community readiness and immediate response. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are on active duty, with additional officers in North Caicos, Salt Cay, South Caicos and Grand Turk.
At this time, the hurricane is moving north-northeast. The country is expected to experience tropical storm conditions, heavy rainfall and
significant storm surge. The storm surge poses a serious concern for low-lying coastal areas especially along our western and southern coastlines, which may result in coastal flooding. Based on the most current weather projections and anticipated impacts for the Turks and Caicos Islands, the National Executive have agreed the following actions:
1. Evacuation Advisories
Residents in specific low-lying and flood-prone coastal areas are likely to experience significant storm surge of 2-4 feet with accompanying rainfall. Strong advice is now place for residents in these areas to relocate to designated shelters which will be open from 4pm this afternoon. These areas include:
Middle Caicos
- Conch Bar Nearest Shelter: The Community Centre
North Caicos
- Sandy Point Nearest Shelter : Sandy Point Community Centre
- Whitby Nearest Shelter: Adelaide Oemler Primary School
- Bottle Creek Nearest Shelter: Adelaide Oemler Primary School
Providenciales
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- Chalk Sound Nearest Shelter Enid Capron Primary School
- Five Cays Nearest Shelter: Enid Capron Primary School
- Discovery Bay Nearest Shelter: All Saints Church, Leeward Highway
- Juba Sound Nearest Shelter: A. Louise Garland High School
- Long Bay Nearest Shelter: A. Louise Garland High School
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South Caicos
- Cockburn Harbour Nearest Shelter: Community Centre
- Old Airport Road Nearest Shelter: Community Centre
Should an evacuation order become necessary, it will be issued following the 6:00 PM Advisory this evening from the TCI National Weather Service.
2. Activation of Emergency Operations Centre
The National Emergency Operations Centre in Providenciales and all Islands Emergency Operations Centres will be activated at 4:00 PM today.
3. Shelters Access
Shelters across all Islands will open today at 4:00 PM to receive members of the public.
4. Shelter-in-Place
A Strong Shelter-in-Place Advisory is in place for all islands, commencing at 10:00 PM tonight. This will be in place until the all clear has been issued.
This means that from 10:00 PM tonight, all residents should be off the road, in a safe location, either at home or a designated shelter.
Please note that this position may be revised following the 6:00 PM Advisory from the TCI National Weather Service, depending on updated storm projections.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) has confirmed that all airports remain fully operational for today. They will advise the public about ongoing operations dependent on the weather impacts.
In times such as this, the role of commercial entities extends beyond business – it becomes a vital part of the community’s resilience. All retailers and service providers are urged to uphold their humanitarian responsibilities by maintaining fair pricing and ensuring essential goods and services remain accessible to all.
Residents and visitors are reminded to adhere strictly to all official advisories and evacuation orders as they are issued. Avoid unnecessary movement, secure your property, and ensure that you and your family are prepared with essential supplies. Stay prepared and stay safe.
Turks and Caicos, October 24, 2025 – Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey delivered an impassioned address to male students at Clement Howell High School, calling on them to recognize their power, seize their potential, and “awaken the sleeping giants” within.
In a message that blended humility, faith, and personal experience, the Commissioner reminded the boys that the decisions they make today will shape their future.“The choices you make today determine who you become tomorrow,” he said.
Bailey, who revealed he was the first in his family to attend high school, urged the students to embrace education and discipline as tools of
transformation.“Knowledge is power. If you want to be a real man, you need to read,” he told them. “Remember your potential — if others can do it, so can you. Some of you are sleeping giants waiting to be awakened.”
He emphasized that circumstances of birth do not dictate destiny, challenging the young men to carry self-respect, faith, and moral conviction wherever they go. “Self-respect is key; respect yourself, respect others, and respect God,” he said. “The circumstances you were born into do not define who you are.”
The Commissioner also spoke about resilience, advising that true strength often lies in restraint.
“There will be challenges, and people may try to impede your development — but rise above negativity. Sometimes, strength means walking away,” he said. “Some of you are sleeping lions; it’s time to awaken that instinct and rediscover your true potential.”
In closing, Commissioner Bailey delivered a stirring challenge:
“Each morning, look in the mirror and remind yourself that you were created by God and are capable of great exploits. You are a possibility with potential. Step forward with confidence — this is your country, your islands. Be the best version of yourself.”
Following his speech, the Commissioner engaged the students in open dialogue, answering questions and listening to their perspectives on issues affecting young men in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Developed by Deandrea Hamilton • with ChatGPT (AI) • edited by Magnetic Media.
