From RCIPS

On Sat 9 September, a contingent of sixteen police officers from the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service left the Cayman Islands for deployment to the British Virgin Islands to provide law enforcement and humanitarian support. The length of their envisioned deployment is so unknown at this time.

“The British Virgin Islands have been devastated by Hurricane Irma, and they are in need of our help,” said Anthony Ennis, Acting Commissioner of Police. “Many of us remember Hurricane Ivan and the help that our sister territories provided to us during that difficult time. It is our duty and honour to reciprocate and do whatever we can to improve their situation.”

The deployment was coordinated by the Governor’s Office, the RCIPS Senior Command Team and the crisis team in London following an urgent request from the Governor of the B.V.I. yesterday for policing support. The RCIPS contingent is likely to be the first police reinforcements to reach B.V.I in the wake of the storm. The contingent left this afternoon on board a specially-chartered Cayman Airways flight for Barbados, where they will join UK military assets and government personnel also being deployed to the B.V.I.

The RCIPS police helicopter arrived this morning in Turks and Caicos, and is now providing vital reconnaissance and operational support to the authorities there.
Matthew Forbes, the Head of the Governor’s Office, deployed with the RCIPS officers to provide support to the Governor’s office in B.V.I.

“Clearly the B.V.I. and T.C.I. require significant assistance following the passage of such a devastating hurricane,” said Mr. Forbes, “and the Cayman Islands has responded swiftly in coordination with the U.K. to provide essential and practical support to those who have been affected.”

Attached photos :
Members of the Senior Command Team with the sixteen officers to be deployed to B.V.I. at ORIA on 9 September
The RCIPS police helicopter crew at ORIA before deployment
The RCIPS helicopter at the Guantanamo Naval Base yesterday at the end of the passage of Hurricane Irma before deployment to T.C.I.

Related:

Cayman Islands police helicopter to deploy to Turks and Caicos for disaster relief operations

From Cayman Islands Governor’s Office

The Governor and Premier have announced that the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS) helicopter has been placed on standby for a deployment to assist the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) following the passage of Hurricane Irma.

The aircraft was made available following discussions between the Governor’s Office, Cayman Islands Government, the Crisis Centre in London and the Governor of TCI. It will deploy with a crew of 4 and will assist with an immediate damage assessment and the movement of key personnel including potential casualties. Other requests for support from the Cayman Islands are currently being assessed as the situation unfolds.

The UK has already positioned a ship in the disaster zone. RFA Mounts Bay and her personnel are on site in the Overseas Territories helping local authorities to restore vital support such as clean water, sanitation, temporary shelter and if required, medical assistance.

Over the next 24 hours British troops and engineers held at high readiness in the UK will deploy with helicopters to support the relief effort. The UK is also sending a command headquarters to co-ordinate efforts. Further the Royal Navy has diverted its flagship HMS Ocean, to bring the help that will be needed in reconstruction after the hurricanes have passed.

The Premier commented, “Air support following a major disaster is essential to assess the damage and save lives. We will not hesitate to provide all the help we can to other territories that have been so badly affected. I am very grateful to the RCIPS Air Operations Unit for volunteering for such an important task.”

The Governor commented, “TCI is currently unable to provide air support to its operations and the deployment of the RCIPS helicopter will provide significant help to the TCI Government at a crucial moment. The deployment is being coordinated with the crisis team in London and the RAF to ensure all aviation assets are used in the best possible way”

END

IMAGE: RCIPS