Charles Crichlow Leads Innovative TCI Border Force Programme
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Published
09 January 2025
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Charles Crichlow, a former police officer with 30 years of experience, has delivered the first phase of a transformative Investigation Skills Development Programme to Border Force Officers in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI). This British Overseas Territory, comprising 40 islands in the North Atlantic Ocean near Miami, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic, faces significant challenges from human trafficking and transnational organized crime due to its porous borders.
The course, attended by Customs and Immigration staff within TCI’s newly established Border Force, aimed to elevate professionalism within the Investigation Unit. Designed by Charles, the programme covered critical skills such as interview techniques, statement taking, evidence gathering, case preparation, teamwork in investigations, ethical decision-making, and dealing with vulnerable victims and witnesses. The training incorporated trauma-informed practices and reflective exercises, ensuring a comprehensive and student-centred learning experience.
Charles conducted two three-week courses over six weeks, supplemented by one-on-one mentoring sessions with each participant. These sessions ensured that students were fully engaged with the course content and equipped with actionable plans to apply their learning effectively. The programme also included scenario-based exercises, such as simulations of human trafficking cases, to provide practical, hands-on experience.
The course concluded with student presentations showcasing their key takeaways, followed by a Q&A session with Border Force Directors. Feedback from both participants and leadership has been overwhelmingly positive. Border Force Directors praised the programme for exceeding expectations and commended the depth and quality of its delivery.
Sharlene Richards, Director of the TCI Border Force and a former student and lecturer at the University of East London (UEL), commissioned the programme and expressed her enthusiasm for its success.
This training is a game-changer for our team, equipping them with the skills needed to tackle the pressing challenges of transnational crime and human trafficking,” she said.
The Minister of Immigration and Border Services, Honourable Arlington Musgrove expressed his pride in this initiative stating, "I am immensely proud of our officers who have successfully completed the Investigation development programme. This programme is a testament to our commitment in transforming the TCIBF into a formidable organisation geared to protecting our beautiful islands from acts of criminality. We are empowering our officers to deter, detect, and dismantle criminal networks that threaten our nation’s security."
Charles Crichlow, who also serves as Course Leader for the BSc Policing Studies programme, brings a wealth of experience to his teaching, including postgraduate research focused on reducing serious violence and advisory work on transnational organized crime in Ghana. Reflecting on the course, he said, "This initiative marks a significant step forward in strengthening TCI’s Border Force and its ability to combat organized crime, ensuring greater security for the islands and the wider region. It was a privilege to work with such dedicated professionals and see their growth over the programme. The positive feedback affirms the importance of investing in rigorous, practical training to address complex criminal issues."
"This programme represents a major step forward for Policing Studies at UEL, and the growing collaboration with Turks and Caicos Community College will foster mutual benefits and create valuable opportunities for both institutions," concluded Dr. Nadia Habashi, Cluster Lead for Policing at the University of East London.
"Today is a proud milestone for the Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force staff who have completed the Criminal Investigations Course, and for the transformative partnership with the University of East London. This achievement reflects the power of vision, values, and a commitment to excellence in building a stronger, more effective Border Force Agency.
Together, we are shaping a dynamic future, rooted in education and empowerment. Congratulations to the graduates—this is just the beginning of your impact." Commented Dr. Nadia Habashi.