The Governor and Premier held a meeting of the National Security Council Advisory Group on Monday, 3 October. Members who attended also included the Hon. Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson, the Minister of Border Control, the Deputy Governor, the Police Commissioner and Bishop Bryan Cox.
The Commissioner gave a brief account of domestic crime. There had been an unwelcome increase in home invasions, but the arrest of a number of people charged with murder, including of the two Dominican Republic women, had been a welcome development. A recent study of the Police’s IT infrastructure should help to enhance road safety, customs and immigration measures. The CCTV project for Providenciales was continuing, and involved an invitation to tender.
The Commissioner also noted that the Force was acquiring a number of police dogs to help pursue a variety of offenders. Twenty new officer recruits would qualify in October, and the Commissioner clarified that tourist police officers would, where appropriate, be accompanied by more experienced staff. The Force had acquired a drone, but would be in urgent need shortly of replacement vehicles. The Commissioner described changes in security for the SIPT trial and participants.
On external security the Governor noted that there were no specific terrorist threats to TCI, but he warned that there could be supporters of ISIS in the region. The Commissioner noted that two new police patrol vessels had been identified. The US authorities had highlighted an increase in drug smuggling through the DR and Haiti. The Commissioner welcomed the participation of TCI in the US-led regional airport security operation (APIS).
The Group welcomed the Premier’s proposal to commission an independent Review of the Police Force. Its parameters should include strategy, succession planning and in particular opportunities for local staff at senior level, community policing and internal communications. The Government would need to allocate funding for the Review.
The Group noted with concern the increase in illegal communities in Providenciales, and reports of police revealing private briefings.
