By Olivia Rose A DELEGATION from the Turks and Caicos Islands has visited Bermuda to study approaches taken to tackling serious crime including gang violence. Premier Sharlene Cartwright Robinson led a team of officials from the territory on a two-day fact-finding mission organised by the Ministry of National Security in Bermuda. During the visit from February 19 to 22, the premier and her team met with key stakeholders in the national security and education sectors. The delegates paid a courtesy call on the governor of Bermuda John Rankin and the premier of Bermuda David Burt. The premier and Rankin spoke about best practice exchange between Bermuda and the TCI including in policing, and the wider relationship between the territories. Among topics discussed during the meeting were criminal rehabilitation, action against gang-related offences, effective crime reduction and prevention methodology in small islands. A statement from the Office of the Premier issued on Tuesday (February 25), said the premier and delegates met with the minister for national security, commissioner of police and other key stakeholders in the national security sector. In the statement the premier said: "Bermuda is a valued partner of the TCI because of our shared relationship with the United Kingdom as British overseas territories. "They have a wealth of knowledge in dealing specifically with gang-related crimes, crime prevention, reduction and criminal rehabilitation.” Cartwright Robinson stressed that these methods have been tested and proven successful in Bermuda, and the TCI can achieve the same results. "Although the TCI still remains one of the safest countries in the region we must continue focused efforts in ensuring citizen safety,” she said. She added: "…through this visit to Bermuda we were able to discuss possible effective approaches to crime reduction and prevention in the TCI and we able to see first-hand the success of these working models.” The delegation included Hon. Karen Malcolm, Minister of Education, Youth, Culture, Social and Library Services, Director of Education Edgar Howell, probations officer Jaron Harvey and Assistant Commissioners of Police Darron Williams and Kendall Grant. Ronlee James, Executive Director at the Office of the Premier, Local Government and Community Affairs, and Lareesa Robinson, Executive Administrator at the Office of the Premier were also part of the delegation. The team received presentations from Bermuda Police Service officials and conducted site visits at various government institutions in Bermuda. These included the Department of Court Services which oversees probations, CedarBridge Academy Highschool, West Pembroke Primary School, the Gang Violence Reduction Team, the Redemption Farm Project, Westgate Correctional Facility, the Ministry of National Security, the House of Assembly of Bermuda and Bermuda Police Service Headquarters. Governor John Rankin who welcomed the delegation to Bermuda said: "It was a pleasure to meet Premier Cartwright Robinson and to welcome her to Bermuda. "The links between Bermuda and the Turks and Caicos Islands are important from both a historical and present-day perspective.” The premier thanked the governor and premier of Bermuda for their hospitality "and their willingness to pass on knowledge and expertise”. She added: "The TCI Government looks forward to continued collaboration with Bermuda to ensure the prosperity and longevity of both nations.” Last October, three Bermuda Police Service officers were deployed to the TCI following a request from the commissioner of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force. The officers were deployed to lend assistance and investigative support to the local force, of which costs were met by the TCI Government. During a conference on October 15, Acting Commissioner of Police Rodney Adams said: "These officers will be placed where they are needed the most, and coupled with our officers working around the clock will transform the TCI into a place where criminals think twice before breaking the law.” |
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "TCI seeks Bermuda's help to tackle gang violence - Turks and Caicos Weekly News"
Post a Comment