Public Order Team deployed following assault on cops

By Delana Isles

A PUBLIC Order Team has been formed within the Royal TCI Police Force to protect officers and the public from flouters of laws and rules in the new Covid-19 normal.

Commissioner of Police Trevor Botting announced the formation of the unit on Tuesday (June 14) on the force’s Facebook page.

The announcement follows public gatherings and curfew breaches that have resulted in cops being assaulted as they attempted to enforce the Covid-19 laws.

In the latest incident last Saturday (July 11), a large gathering of people, cars and motorbikes congregated on Allegro Road in Grace Bay, Providenciales.

The crowd were indulging in roadside drinking, with no social distancing and few masks in sight.

When two mobile police units showed up to disperse the crowd, they refused to do so, challenging and cursing at the officers.

Those gathered were some of the TCI’s substantial Bahamian population celebrating the 47th independence of the Bahamas following 325 years of British rule.

“Police can’t stop us, Government can’t stop us,” one person can be heard saying in one of several widely circulated videos of the confrontation with officers.

This incident prompted the formation of the Public Order Team, which is made up of police officers.

They will work along with their colleagues on patrol in quelling disturbances in an effort to ensure the community stays safe and officers are afforded protection from rule breakers.

Botting said that over the last two weeks, police officers responded quickly to defuse parties to protect the public but were met with extreme opposition.

He noted that for the regulations which are in place to be effective, the full compliance of the public is needed.

“The last week has seen instances of large scale breaches of the Covid-19 regulations regarding social distancing and groups gathering together, some instances have gone beyond the 8pm curfew,” Botting said.

“Whilst attempting to deal with such breaches and law breaking, my officers have been abused, assaulted and shown very little respect. This is unacceptable in any society.”

He added that his officers have been working tirelessly since the threat of Covid-19 became known, putting themselves at risk to ensure that communities are safe from crime and from the threat posed by the virus.

“To have officers abused in this way is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

“Those who assaulted, threatened and abused my officers should hang their heads in shame.

“Your behaviour has increased the risk of Covid-19 to you, your loved ones, your friends and your community.”

The commissioner said the members of the new team will be authorised to take all measures to protect their colleagues and arrest those who seek to threaten police officers and increase the risk of the virus to the communities of the TCI.

“I’m asking therefore that you comply with the requirements set out within the Covid-19 regulations,” he urged.

“I wish to thank the majority who are complying with the regulations, who are doing their moral and legal duty to protect their family, friends and community from the risk of Covid-19.”

He added that for those who refuse to comply, and who abuse and assault the officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, “please expect a response from the force that will be fair but uncompromisingly committed to protect the public and their colleagues”.