Turks and Caicos Islands — For the first time in seven years, the Turks and Caicos Islands recorded a murder-free January in 2026, a milestone last achieved in 2019. Officials attribute this breakthrough to intensified crime-fighting strategies spearheaded by Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey.

The Commissioner’s initiatives have been bolstered by a specialized team of Jamaican police officers deployed in May 2025. Their arrival, authorized by Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, was part of a broader plan to strengthen the tactical and operational capacity of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force.

This achievement comes after years of escalating violence. Annual murder figures rose from 4 in 2017 to 9 in 2018, then 14 in 2019. The numbers surged to 23 in 2020, dipped to 13 in 2021, climbed to 34 in 2022, 23 in 2023, and hit a record 48 in 2024 before dropping to 27 in 2025. Murders were consistently reported every January from 2020 through 2025, making this year’s clean slate particularly significant.

Commissioner Bailey’s approach has centered on intelligence-driven policing, targeted patrols in high-risk areas, and aggressive crackdowns on armed gangs. In 2025, six gang members were killed in confrontations with police, including Haitian gang leader Andral Percival, who was fatally shot during an operation in Blue Hills on August 31.

Since taking office, Bailey has repeatedly emphasized that the police force will remain relentless in its pursuit of illegal firearms, organized crime, and gang activity. He has vowed that officers will act decisively to safeguard public safety.

In a previous statement, Bailey declared:

“We will continue to target illicit guns, gunmen, and gangs. Our mission is to make the Turks and Caicos Islands safe, so citizens can live free from crime and fear. No threats or intimidation will deter us. To those engaged in criminal activity, this is your warning: the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force will act decisively to protect our people and restore peace. We are unwavering in our duty to uphold the law, defend our citizens and officers, and ensure justice is served.”

Source WIC News