With speculations mounting about corruption inside the force and theft of exhibits, the Royal Turks & Caicos Police Force seeks to set the record straight with following release sent to RTC News.
On 7 July, the RTCI Police reported the overnight burglary to one of their own police stations. On 30 May, the Commissioner of Police had ordered police personnel to relocate to 5 Cays and to Chalk Sound Police Stations pending new accommodations elsewhere. The Main Station had been condemned approximately 16 years ago and no complete renovations were planned. The Commissioner ordered all exhibits moved to the secure facilities at Chalk Sound. There was a question of where to relocate a very large freezer full of illegal lobster. The Commissioner ordered security of the building pending the movement of exhibits. The RTCI Police acknowledge that two pistols, 14 rounds of ammunition, and a sum of money (amount being without pending investigation) were taken. Other exhibits were not touched, including drugs and other money.
On Saturday and Sunday, the Commissioner personally assisted in the movement of exhibits to Chalk Sound and the destruction of concluded exhibits and files. The Exhibit Custodian and a senior member of the RTCI Police have been provided operational guidance. Further, an Inspector has been named to ensure that enhanced procedures are in place, including seized money being place in a trust account at the local bank and other standard police operating procedures established.
The RTCI Police are aware of the rumours of an “inside job” as the thieves were very selective of the items taken. The investigation is continuing. Many members of the RTCI Police have expressed their concern in this lapse of security because it is not simply an embarrassment to the Commissioner but to the police service as a whole.
In other news, the Commissioner is deploying a second officer to Salt Cay and to Middles Caicos beginning 01 September 2011. The Commissioner has also established a two person Cold Case Unit to work full-time on the unsolved homicides. These files remain a concern for the community and to the RTCI Police.
Security has been enhanced at the Providenciales Airport (PLS) with additional uniform and plain clothes officers being deployed.
The noise complaints have continued and police will be taking more assertive actions to ensure the TCI remain “Beautiful by Nature.” Police have contacted local sponsors of events to request their adherence to the rules set out in licenses and park regulations. Moreover, the Licensing Department has agreed to consult with police in advance of issuing extended licenses.
Nineteen (19) cadets will be graduating from the RTCI Police Training School in Grand Turk on the 18 August 2011. It is expected that 8 will be posted to Beat and Patrol in Grand Turk and 11 will be posted to Beat and Patrol in Providenciales.
