A LEGION of Canadian cops could soon be posted in the TCI to add extra muscle in the war against crime.
The Weekly News can reveal that talks are underway with the Canadian Government regarding sending a number of officers to the Islands.
The news comes hot on the heels of last month’s arrival of a quartet of British police to help solve several undetected murders and armed robberies.
The long-awaited assistance from the UK prompted some dismay when just four of the requested 16 officers were forthcoming. And they will only be deployed in the TCI until Christmas rather than for two months, as originally hoped.
Commissioner of Police Edward Hall confirmed discussions were currently taking place with the Canadian authorities.
“We are negotiating with Canada in terms of what assistance they can give us,” he told the Weekly News.
Governor Gordon Wetherell spent two days in Ottawa this week for meetings with the authorities there, although details of the nature of the discussions were not given.
British MP Andrew Rosindell – who visited the TCI in August – previously beseeched London to take action against an upsurge in violent crime in the territory.
His advisor on Commonwealth Affairs, Starbuck Coleman, told the Weekly News on Wednesday that the Canadians’ arrival was expected “imminently”.
Mr Rosindell described Canada as a “true friend” to both Britain and the TCI.
“The United Kingdom should be extremely grateful to Canada for any assistance Her Majesty’s Government in Ottawa can provide the interim administration in the territory, particularly if support is provided by the magnificent Royal Canadian Mounted Police, whom we admire so much.”
Last Friday Mr Rosindell told the UK Parliament he welcomed Canada’s support.
“I wish to commend … Canada, who, despite having no responsibility for the Turks and Caicos, are sending over members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to help us rescue the situation,” he told the House.
But the TCI All-Party Parliamentary Group chairman, long outspoken against what he views as Britain’s neglect of the TCI, continued: “Should that not be our responsibility? It is, after all, a British territory, not a Canadian territory.”
As a prime holiday destination for Canadians, the TCI has enjoyed a strong relationship with its North American neighbour.
Canadian police visited the Islands earlier this year to look at how it could augment local training.
It forms part of a regionwide initiative aimed at keeping vacation spots for its citizens safe.
Canada’s national police force – nicknamed the ‘mounties’ – is renowned worldwide for its red uniformed officers on horseback.
In addition to providing federal policing to all of Canada, it has officers stationed in various countries across the globe, including the Caribbean.
Governor Wetherell previously said the four UK police who jetted into the TCI on November 22 were just the “first installment” of assistance to put the boot into crime.
In addition to helping crack unsolved cases, they will scrutinise the TCI force for gaps in capability and expertise.
Their deployment follows June’s arrival of four British experts which included a fingerprinting expert, a senior detective, an analyst and a community policing expert.
Sixteen new Belonger cadets are also due to complete their training this month.
(TCI Weekly News)
