History of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force
First established in 1799 by His Majesty’s Commander John Dunmore, the RTCIPF has advanced with time; the first improvement came in 1855 when President Inglis enacted a Police Ordinance to improve the strength of the Police force. 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. It was not until 1894 that the Police force was assigned a uniform.
Commissioner Cameron provided the Police force with their first proper uniform. Badges, belts, and buttons were issued with the insignia “The Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force” Armlets were supplied to the Special Constables. 1964 marked a year of great joy and progress as the first female Police officer was recruited and since then the number of Female Police Officers has steadily increased. By 1991 the Police Force increased its establishment to one Hundred and thirty-five with two supernumerary Posts from the U.K., one Deputy Commissioner Administration and one detective Superintendent due to the development on the islands, the Police force continued to run and keep the Islands safe and secure.
Today the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force attends to all of the populated Islands in the Turks and Caicos Islands specifically, West Caicos, Providenciales, North Caicos, South Caicos, Pine Cay, Parrot Cay, Delis Cay, Ambergris Cay, Salt and Grand Turk and comprises of approximately 225 Police Officers, a team of Special Constables, District Constables and Civilian Support staff.
The Police Force is made up of officers representing different countries and nationalities.
It oversees crime by dividing its services between two divisions; A and B. Division A contains three islands which are Grand Turk, South Caicos and Salt Cay whereas Division B consists of two islands: Providenciales and North Caicos. It has advanced special unit departments; Tactical Unit, Scenes of Crime, Fingerprint, and Financial Crime Investigation all working in order to create a safe and just life for the people.