By HAYDEN BOYCE
Publisher & Editor-in-Chief
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos, Oct. 17, 2022 — The joint operation between 24 police officers from The Bahamas and the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force has already made a significant difference in Turks and Caicos Islands, Governor Nigel Dakin and Commissioner of Police Trevor Botting said.
In recent days, the heavily-armed combined squad carried out several raids across various districts, made many arrests and seized drugs and ammunition. Based on public response, the raids and increased police presence have also boosted residents’ feeling of safety.
Commissioner Botting said he believes the contingent from the Royal Bahamas Police Force will make “a significant impact” on policing operations.
Armed with search warrants, the joint exercise called “Operation Anaconda” targeted several premises which were the prime areas linked to serious crime, a police press release said, adding that the coordinated operation saw items related to potential gang related violence, including ammunition seized.
During the operation, seven suspects were arrested for their involvement in criminality. The commissioner said the public will see more operational police officers on the streets of the Turks and Caicos Islands in the coming weeks and more operations will be undertaken within communities.
The police commissioner said the officers from The Bahamas have been briefed and are now operationally deployed with local police on the streets and communities of Turks and Caicos Islands, within the tactical unit and the response and operational teams. The team includes two policing K9 dogs to support officers during their work, he added.
“Having spent time with them, it gives me great confidence to see how committed, experienced and ready they are to support us in making Turks and Caicos Islands safe and secure. I am grateful to the Government of The Bahamas and the Royal Bahamas Police Force Commissioner for their complete support given to the TCI and by extension the force. Such support reflects the close relationship of our two countries and the already established protocols and partnerships that already exist within law enforcement,” Botting added.
“(The) intelligence-led operation in Dock Yard directly targeted those whom we believe have been involved in serious crime and gang related activity. I have long stated that the police and by extension the communities must purge these criminal elements from continuously causing havoc in this beautiful by nature TCI,” Commissioner Botting said. He added that a large quality of drugs was also recovered in the Bight area over the weekend and this is now under investigation.
He said 58 officers consisting of joint teams from tactical, armed and investigations units, supported by police dogs and forensic teams formed part of the multi-pronged operation in areas where gang killings and violence have erupted.
“As a result, seven persons were arrested for crime related matters and they remain in custody as suspects in active police investigations. Property, inclusive of ammunition and masks, believed to be used in the perpetration of criminal acts were seized. Additionally, stolen property was recovered. Further operations are planned and my officers will be relentless in hunting down and apprehending those criminals intent on causing harm to the communities of the Turks and Caicos Islands. I again state to the criminals, when approached by my officers, do not engage them, if my officers feel threatened and you decide to shoot at them, my officers will do what is necessary to protect themselves.”
Botting said he is also in contact with the commissioner of police in Jamaica, Major General Antony Anderson, to discuss how they might support the RTCIPF in the coming weeks and months.
“I am grateful for the offer of support for us and the assistance from other jurisdictions demonstrates the strength of regional law enforce collaboration. Any additional support in terms of armed officers is not being requested at this moment however, this remains under constant review during the period that the team from The Bahamas are with us and beyond their initial deployment. Additionally, on-going discussions are being held with the UK as to policing support in the near future.”
Botting said a large contingent of experienced UK investigators will be arriving in the next three weeks to support the work of Turks and Caicos Islands serious crime unit with investigations of murders and gang-related activity. This deployment, he said, will be for 18to 24 months and will provide “a significant uplift in capacity” for the force.
“I am again grateful to the UK government for funding this enhancement to policing on the Turks and Caicos Islands. More broadly, the protection of the border of the Turks and Caicos Islands is important, given we believe that some of the people involved in serious and gang crime are entering the TCI illegally. Our work in protecting the border is being supported by the US Customs and Border Protection who have deployed specialist surveillance aircraft on the Turks and Caicos Islands for at least the next month,” he said, adding that this aircraft is working closely with the local marine branch to identify and intercept any vessel of interest.
“This deployment reflects the strong partnerships with US law enforcement to protect the TCI borders and the region and we are grateful for the continued collaboration. While the support we have or will be receiving is very welcome, the crime situation remains a concern and we remain steadfast and committed in dealing with the issues for as long as it takes. To be clear, criminals are hiding in plain sight, within some of our communities and we continue to need your help,” Botting said.
BAHAMIAN OFFICERS MADE A DIFFERENCE, SITUATION MORE STABLE
Meantime, Governor Dakin said he is pleased with the performance of the joint operation, noting that the day after the Bahamian officers arrived, they were operational.
“All I need to say now, is they’ve already made a difference. Some are directly inducted into our tactical firearms unit, making one large joint team. Some are deployed as response units. Their dogs, able to attack or to search, were active at the airport… supporting our customs officers search for guns and drugs. I, the premier and commissioner, and the people of the TCI, are extremely grateful for what can only be described as very generous support from our steadfast neighbour. Bahamas, you have been your brother’s keeper.”
“Without predicting the immediate future, because matters can change, I can say the situation over recent days has been significantly more stable. Indeed matters have been unusually quiet,” he said. “We don’t rest on our laurels and know that those that would do us harm are both taking stock of recent policing reinforcements, while licking their wounds following more than one confrontation with our Tactical Unit. Our officers remain proactive. Some gang members may be seeking to leave the Territory. If you are aware of this, CRIMESTOPPERS want to know: +1 800 8477. +1 800 8477.”
He added: “It is true to say that this calm is down to courageous work by our police and that has included sustained pressure – including a significant arrest, weapon and drug recoveries, and the unfortunate fatal shooting of a young man who, it seems, chose to fire on our tactical unit. I have said before that if you are confronted by our tactical firearms officers, or response teams, it really would be best to lie down and place your hands out in front of you. If you fire on our officers, or others, their rules of engagement mean they will return fire to save life; theirs or others. They are far better trained than you are, and they will prevail. Every death is unfortunate. So I repeat the advice; this isn’t a movie or a video game. If you are confronted, drop to the floor, hands outstretched. You are young and you think yourself invincible, but you are not.”
Governor Dakin added that beyond local police bravery, and skill, he believes that the arrival of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, and the US’s Customs and Border Protection Aircraft, along with Drugs Enforcement Agency, has had an “immediate deterrent effect”.
He continued: “If it hasn’t, it should have. If the gangs have gone to ground, they will be found. If gang members have moved overseas, we have international partners – including the UK’s National Crime Agency and regional governments – who are solidly in support of helping us track them. If our short term measures are being effective, I promise our long term measures have to be determinative.”
NOTE: Hayden Boyce is Publisher & Editor-in-Chief of The Turk & Caicos Island Sun
