Former Deputy Commissioner of Police Rodney Adams issued a release today following yesterday’s verdict in Providenciales.
Mr. Adams recreated his experience “This afternoon in the Providenciales Supreme Court, I was vindicated when a jury returned a verdict of “not guilty” on the one count that they were given directions on by the Chief Justice of the Turks & Caicos Islands.
This was the last remaining count that I faced after being charged with five counts of corruption charges by the Integrity Commission alleging interference in a high profile murder investigation on Providenciales in April 2013.
It is noteworthy that three of the counts never made it to trial and of the two that did, the Chief Justice instructed the jury to return a not guilty verdict on one count before sending them off to deliberate on the one remaining count.
While I was always confident of my innocence in the entire matter, given the delicate situation involving a shocking murder in our otherwise peaceful country, I can understand why reasonable persons would be concern.
In light of these circumstances, I deliberately refrained from speaking out about my charges as I always wanted the legal process to run its course and at the end of the day the results would be there for all to see.
I never doubted my innocence and I had every expectation that once the court heard the evidence that it would conclude that I likewise was innocent of the charges filed against me.
I have dedicated my entire professional career to policing since joining the RTCIPF on 5th March, 1984.
I decided to make policing a career because of love for my country and wanted to do my part in ensuring the safety and security of its citizens and those who come to visit and live among us. In all my dealings I endeavored to respect the laws of our country and uphold the decency and integrity of the Police Service.
Now that this matter has run its course and has been resolved by the court, I will be officially advising HE the Governor’s Office and the Commissioner of Police that I am available to continue my duties as a police officer.
I do so out of a sense of commitment and duty to my country and to the many young officers of the Police Service who seek a role model to aspire to.
They need to know that in this life they too will face many challenges, however if you work hard, be respectful of authority and always do right, you will have nothing to fear.
I want them to know that in spite of difficulty they too can overcome challenges and achieve the rank of Acting Deputy Commissioner or higher in an organization like the RT&CIPF.
I would like to thank my entire family and the many persons in the community who believed in my innocence and supported me throughout this very difficult and challenging ordeal over the last year.
Thanks to all for your prayers and words of encouragement. I equally would like to thank my legal team,the court (including the jury) and the prosecution for conducting this trial with a high degree of professionalism.
In all our trials let us continue to be thankful to God for his many Blessings. To him I owe all the Glory thanks and praise.
May the great God above bless, guide and protect us all and may he bless the Turks and Caicos Islands.”
That’s the full text from Former Deputy Commissioner of Police, Rodney Adams. Mr. Adams was represented by Ariel Missick QC.
