HISTORY OF THE ROYAL TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS POLICE FORCE
1799
The Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force was established in 1799 by his Majesty’s commander John Dunmore who selected Bermudian born Mr. Firth and appointed him a Police Officer calling him the high Constable with three Special Constables under his command.
1834
Following the abolition of slavery, an apprenticeship system was
established.
1848
For the first time, the Turks and Caicos Islands enjoyed and elective Legislative Council under the administration of President Inglis.
1855
The strength of the Police force was improved by President Inglis who enacted a Police Ordinance. Under this ordinance, every male adult had a legal obligation to serve as a Special Constable. Men were conscripted for this task by lots drawn annually and they were obliged to do duty at least once every three years.
1860
On February 15th, 1860 Her Majesty’s first West Indian Regiment left the Turks and Caicos Islands in the Schooner “Rhoda” and joined their H.Q. in Nassau. The withdrawal of the troops necessitated a Militia and Volunteer force. As a result, om march 27th, during his minute before the Legislative Council, President Inglis quoted the memorable words of the late Secretary of State for the Colonies that, “There can be no safety to the life or security to Property and transactions of commerce in that community which does not earnestly and resolutely seek to develop within itself the requisite force to vindicate The dignity of its own against the outbreak Of internal disorder.
1894
Commissioner Cameron provided the Police force with their first proper uniform. Badges, belts, and buttons were issued with the insignia “Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force” Armlets were supplied to the Special Constables.
1910
By April 27th, 1910, the establishment had risen to one Sgt, and three Constable. The little Dominican sloop” jaspe”, laid calmly at anchor in Grand Turk, at seven o clock the Sgt. and three Constables rowed along to make a surprise checks for hidden contraband. The Dominican captain Sandoval refused to permit The boarding party to examine a trunk lying on the ship’s deck. He drew his revolver and shot Sgt. Todd in the chest. He escaped in a stolen salt lighter, but was captured adrift the following day near East Caicos. Todd recovered and became the first recipient of the King Edward’s Medal in the West Indies he was promoted to the rank of superintendent of police, which he held until his retirement in 1925. At this time; the establishment was changed to one Sub. Insp., one Sgt, one L/Cpl, three Constables and eight District constables. In the previous century, The Turks and Caicos Islands had become a famous base for gun running to the Haitians and Dominicans and little was done by the authorities to actually suppress this traffic.
1933
The rank of sub. Inspector was dropped.
1941
The Police force was headed again by a Sub. Inspector from Jamaica.
1962
The establishment was revised to one Sub, Insp., two Sgt, one Cpl, two First Constable ten Constables and nine District Constables.
1963
Peter Holden, the First senior Police Officer of the Police Force was selected by the Home Office was from the U.K Mr. Holden was appointed as Superintendent of the Police Force.
1964
The First Female Police officer was recruited. Since 1964 the number of Female Police Officers has steadily increased.
1966
Following the visit of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 11, the title Royal was graciously conferred on the Police Force. The Police Force Was redesignated “The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police force ”.
1968
The command structure of the Police Force was reshaped slightly, overseas training was Initiated, and the permanent establishment filed the superintendent of police was redesignated to that of Chief of Police, under the command of Mr. Anderson, who had been recruited by the Home Office from the UK.
1975
Mr. Edric Kenneth Potter was selected by the Home Office from St. John’s Antigua and was appointed Commissioner of Police. The police Force embarked on a local recruitment and training program and recorded a historic passing out parade of ten trained officers at its training facility on Fifth Street, Backsalina, Grand Turk. The following year, twelve trained Officer graduated from Training School.
1978
The first local officer, MR S.E Williams took command of the Police Force, as Commissioner. His Deputy Mr. Albert A Grant was also from the Turks and Caicos Islands.
1981
The Police force has a rank structure and strength of seventy-one Police Officers comprising: one Commissioner, one Deputy Commissioner one Superintendent three Inspector, seven Sergeants, Eleven Corporals and forty-six Constables. The Turks and Caicos Island are still crown colonies and the British system of policing is basically the same. All senior officers have been trained at the regional Police training centre in Barbados. The Marine Branch of the Royal Turks and Caicos Police force was formed with responsibilities for drug interdiction, fisheries patrol and illegal immigrants surveillance.
1986
The Police Force changed its structure to an Establishment of ninety two officers, Comprising and Commissioner, one Deputy Commissioner, two Superintendents, one Assistant Superintendent, Six inspectors, seven sergeants, thirteen Corporals and sixty-one constables.
1987
The police force grew to ninety-nine officers, Comprising: one commissioner, one deputy Commissioner two Superintendent, six Inspectors Eight Sergeants, sixteen corporals and sixty-Three constables.
1988
The establishment grew further, as Security Officers were enlisted to Man the security at the airports throughout The Turks and Caicos Islands. These officers are also special constable and are vested with the same powers as Police Officers, regardless of whether they are at the airport or at the police station.
1989
This year saw the addition of court Officer to the establishment. A total of three Courts Officers were enlisted.
1990
In 1990, the strength of the police Force was one hundred and thirty (130).
1991
Due to the development on the islands of Providenciales, the Police Force Increased its establishment to one Hundred and thirty-five (135) with two supernumerary Posts from the U.K., one Deputy Commissioner Administration and one detective Superintendent.
1993
The third local Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Albert Alexander Grant, preceded on pre-retirement superintendent’s Michael S. Taylor and Vernon Alco Williams acted as Deputy Commissioner each for a six month period.
1994
Assistant Superintendent Paul A. Harvey was promoted to superintended and later during the year, to acting Deputy Commissioner. Superintendent’s Michael S, Taylor and Vernon A. Williams proceeded on pre-retirement leave.
1995
Mr. Stanley E. Williams, Commissioner of Police proceeded on pre-retirement and Mr. Paul Harvey was promoted Acting Commissioner of Police with his Deputy British Officer, Mr. Barry Young.
1996
The inspector General for the Dependant Territories in his Inspection report requested that a review of the Force Be conducted. A number of recommendations were made as a result of the review.
1997
Most of the review recommendations were accepted by the commissioner and his Senior Officers. The first recommendations to be acted upon were the recommended increase in the establishment and revised pay scale for the Police. A record thirty Police Officers were recruited and the largest group of local recruits fourteen was sent to the Regional Training centre in Barbados. The Marine Branch Became a division of the Force headed by a Superintendent and is now the Maritime division and includes the air wing.
1999
The establishment review of 1996 recommended three additional posts to be created. To date the following new posts have been filled: one Assistant Commissioner, and one Civilian to head the Personal and Training section.
