I feel compelled to respond, from a Policing perspective to the article in the TCI Weekly News that is attributed to the former Chief Minister, Mr. Oswald Skippings given his article was factually inaccurate. It is unfortunate that Mr. Skippings did not take the time to establish the facts before publication, but I am happy to put the record straight.
With respect to the RTCIPF Airwing, when I assumed the role of Commissioner, I undertook a review of the regulatory structure of the RTCIPF Airwing and found that it did not comply with local and international regulations and further funding was required to modernise the structure and bring the Unit in line with international and national requirements. The funding has taken time to be put in place, along with the recruitment of additional staff to meet the requirements and work is underway now, with the TCI CAA regulator, to apply for the Air Operators Certificate. Whilst Mr Skippings suggests that I tried to ‘frustrate and fire’ staff from the RTCIPF Airwing, this is simply not the case, and the staff that were in place when I took over as the Commissioner, remain in place today. Indeed, the objective was to add additional staff which has been done. We are now in a strong position to obtain our Air Operators Certificate.
Mr. Skippings also suggests that it was during my and Nigel Dakin’s tenure that an aircraft was purchased. Again, this is not the case as that aircraft was purchased by my predecessor. It is true that having undertaken a review of the requirements for air support I sought the approval of the then Premier and Governor to sell this asset that was not required for the TCI, it was simply the wrong aircraft to deal with the threats we faced. This was the prudent thing to do.
With regards to a Police Presence on Salt Cay, this was not in place when I took over as the Commissioner of Police and an officer has now been assigned to Salt Cay. The Police Station on Salt Cay, apparently ‘dismantled’ according to Mr Skippings, had been ‘mothballed’ many years ago and long before I took up my post.
The same situation applies to Middle Caicos, no officers were on Middle Caicos when I took up my post, but we are now actively working with the Government to identify a Police Station and return a Police presence to Middle Caicos after many years of there not being an officer dedicated to Island.
Five Cays Police Station was also closed before I took up my post with the Blue Hills Police post closing during my tenure after data showed a very low number of visitors on a daily basis. I am pleased to say that the new Mobile Police Control Vehicle / Community Post will be delivered in early 2024. This vehicle will allow a dedicated and highly visible presence across our communities with the Police Officers and the ‘Office” going to our communities rather than communities having to come to a static Police Post.
Mr. Skippings’ wrote that the RTCIPF ‘Marine Branch in the nation’s Capital of Grand Turk was totally dismantled’. This is wholly inaccurate as the Marine Branch has been completely refurbished and the base will open fully once a vessel is available and the 12 new staff for the Marine Branch that are actively being recruited are in post. I understand the frustration with how long this has taken but the demands placed upon the Marine Branch team on Providenciales through the maritime threats that affect this Island have impacted the timeframe to have the Marine Branch Team fully functioning on Grand Turk. It is coming and coming soon.
In terms of the recruitment of Police Officers, in my tenure, we have recruited around 50 Officers who are from the TCI or who have status on the Islands. Of course, given the relatively small size of the population, and the need to have specialist policing capability, we have sought experienced officers from overseas, in the main from the region. These experienced officers complement the excellent young people who are joining the Force from the TCI and we should be grateful for the work they undertake to serve the people of the TCI rather than seeking to criticise those who have chosen public service as their vocation. The future for these young people in their chosen career is very bright indeed and I would urge Mr Skippings to add his support and encouragement to them rather than providing commentary that is inaccurate.
Beyond initial recruitment, as the Commissioner I have sought every opportunity to develop, encourage and promote local people. I am very proud of my Force Executive Colleagues whom I have been privileged to work with. We have built a strong Executive leadership team with all of the officers, Mr. Adams, Mr. Grant, and Mr. Williams being promoted under my tenure.
Indeed, Mr. Adams and Mr. Grant have attended and passed the prestigious Strategic Command Course in the UK, a course that all UK Chief Police Officers have to pass attend and pass to allow them to become a Chief Officer. These are the first senior police officers from the TCI to attend this course and we are all rightly proud of their achievement.
In addition to the development and promotion of my Force Executive Colleagues, local officers have been promoted to the rank of Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Inspector, and Sergent. It has been easy for me to invest in local officers given the depth of talent that exists in the Force; my plea is for politicians, communities, community leaders, and the media to actively support and encourage officers as they work to keep the people of the TCI safe and secure.
I do agree with Mr. Skippings that the Force needs to continue to grow to meet the shifting and ever-more complex demands of Policing. As an aside, I would also fully support the increase in the capacity of our colleagues in Immigration who work extraordinarily hard alongside police colleagues in response to the National Security threats that the TCI faces.
In summary, rather than the Police Force being damaged by me as their Commissioner, it is firmly my view that the Force is in good shape to meet the demands placed on it and the men and women of the RTCIPF deserve everyone’s full support for the excellent work they do. We do not of course get things right every time, no one does, but the Force is growing in its capability and capacity and local people are at the heart of this growth and increased confidence. As I demit office, I would ask the community and all stakeholders and partners to support and encourage all Police Officers, including my successor, no matter where they were born but who choose a life of service to the people of the TCI.