Turks and Caicos police officer slain

Chief Minister Misick addresses the public

Chief Minister Misick with police personnel at press
briefing

(L-R) Chief Minister Michael Misick, H.E. James Poston

by Ava-Dayne Kerr

Saturday, January 22, 2005

TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS: The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force lost one of their own Thursday afternoon in the line of duty as a result of a shooting that took place in the Leeward area of Providenciales.

The slain officer, Police Constable Prince Smith, a native of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, served the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force for approximately two years.

In response to this most horrendous crime, Head of Security, Governor James Poston and Chief Minister, Michael Misick held an Emergency Press briefing at the Office of the Chief Minister, yesterday evening. 

In his statement, the Governor called the crime “shocking and appalling”. He expressed condolences to the family of the slain officer and his sympathy to the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police force as they grieve the loss of a colleague.

On behalf of his government and the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Chief Minister Michael Misick also expressed sincere sympathies to the family of Constable Smith. 

As the Minister responsible for Tourism, the Chief Minister noted, “Our country is dependent on Tourism and Inward Investment and a crime such as this one and tourism do not co-exist”

He stressed that “The government is committed to putting all of its resources behind catching these criminals and bringing them to justice”. He affirmed his stand with the police department by reassuring them of the government’s commitment to “providing the necessary resources to recruit more officers and more equipment that would enable them not only to detect crime but to prevent the type of incident that took place”. 

He noted that the Turks and Caicos Islands, prides itself in being one of the safest countries in the world and urged those responsible to “Nip incidents such as this in the butt”. 

He made a plea to all citizens and residents alike to come forward with any information that could assist in the police investigation.

The Commissioner of Police has been asked by the Chief Minister to submit to the government what he deems necessary to ensure the safety of the public at large to be considered in the preparation of the 2005/6 Budget. 

Police Superintendent Hughes, in giving an account of the crime, said that at approximately 1:15 p.m. a call was received at the Providenciales Police Department reporting a shooting in the Leeward area. Upon arrival Police Constable Smith was seen lying on the pavement with a gunshot wound to the stomach. 

Circumstances surrounding the crime are that Constable Smith accompanied by other persons whom had just left a taxi van, were about entering a restaurant when two armed men wearing masks approached them. 

Descriptions given of the two suspects are that one is 6 ft tall and the other approximately 5ft 7inches. The shorter of the two was carrying a long arm shot gun while the other assailant was carrying a short arm. The police are yet to establish what type of firearms they were.

Robbery is believed to be the motive for the crime, since the assailants demanded and made off with a bag one of the passengers was carrying. The shorter of the two suspects is the one believed to have shot Constable Smith.

The wounded officer was rushed to the Myrtle Rigby Health Clinic where he was treated but subsequently died of wounds sustained.

The police are at this time in search of the vehicle that served in the get a way which was also stolen from persons in the Leeward area. It is said to be a white Dodge Van with License plate number 6063. 

According to Police Commissioner Harvey, work is being done to reassure the officers within his force that their safety is of grave concern. Presently, all off-days for police officers have been cancelled until the perpetrators of this crime have been captured. 

Commissioner Harvey went on to say that there is a possibility the force will be bringing in additional aid to assist in the investigation, so as to wrap up the case as soon as possible.

He said that a major recruitment effort is underway whereby nineteen new officers will be added to the taskforce by next month. 

Shortly, police presence will be extended throughout the island of Providenciales with the opening of two new Police Stations located in Five Cays and Chalk Sound.

The general public of Providenciales is urged to render their full support to the Police in their investigation.

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