Confidence In New DPP Appointment
- NewslineTCI
- 1 hour ago
- 4 min read
Her Excellency the Governor, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, has announced the appointment of Jeremy C. Taylor KC as the new Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for the Turks and Caicos Islands, following a what the Governor’ Office described as competitive recruitment process.
The consultation was done with the Hon. Washington Misick, Premier, the Leader of the Opposition Hon. Edwin Astwood, and the Judicial Services Commission, in accordance with Section 91 of the Turks and Caicos Islands Constitution Order 2011.
The Governor’s Office said Taylor brings more than twenty-six years’ experience at the Bar, including over two decades in public prosecutorial service within the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in Jamaica.
Since 2014, he has served as Jamaica’s Senior Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, where he led and oversaw several specialised prosecutorial units including anti-gang, environmental law, extradition, organised crime, legal and legislative reform.
“A distinguished advocate and legal reformer, Mr Taylor has played a central role in complex, high- profile criminal prosecutions, authored key prosecution manuals and contributed to significant legislative developments and criminal justice reforms. In recognition of his service and professional standing, he was appointed King’s Counsel in 2020 and awarded the Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service in 2022,” the Governor’ Office said.
Commenting on the appointment, Her Excellency the Governor said:
“This appointment follows a rigorous and highly competitive process, from which Mr. Taylor KC emerged as an outstanding candidate. His extensive prosecutorial expertise, proven leadership and steadfast commitment to the rule of law will be pivotal in delivering fair and effective justice outcomes and strengthening public confidence in our justice system. I am confident that he will serve the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands with distinction.”
In accepting the appointment, Mr Taylor KC said:
“I am honoured to be appointed as Director of Public Prosecutions for the Turks and Caicos Islands and grateful for the confidence placed in me. I am committed to upholding prosecutorial independence, strengthening institutional capacity and working collaboratively with justice-sector partners to ensure fairness, accountability and public trust.”
Retired Jamaican DPP says Taylor is added value to the TCI
In the meantime, retired Jamaican DPP Paula Llewellyn said the appointment of Taylor as DPP for the Turks and Caicos Islands, alongside Fitz Bailey, Police Commissioner for the Turks and Caicos Islands, and former deputy commissioner of police in Jamaica, is expected to significantly strengthen efforts against gangs and transnational criminal networks.
Llewellyn said Taylor’s work ethic and courtroom focus make him well suited to the role, particularly given the backlog and complexity of criminal cases in the TCI.
“Mr Taylor loves to live in court. The only other place that he loves like the courtroom is to be in front of his computer doing research,” she told The Gleaner, adding that she expected him to work seamlessly with Bailey, who he knows professionally and personally.
Bailey, who retired in September 2024 after some 40 years in the Jamaica Constabulary Force, assumed the role of acting commissioner of police in the TCI shortly thereafter and was appointed commissioner last year.
Llewellyn recalled that during her tenure as DPP, Taylor – then head of the gang unit in her office – worked closely with her, former Deputy DPP Claudette Thompson, and Bailey on the preparation and prosecution of several major gang and transnational crime cases.
“I’m not surprised that Mr Taylor was found suitable in the Turks and Caicos Islands to take up this appointment,” she added.
“He has always been a very hard worker, and he loves court work. He is known for his great research capabilities and has presented several papers on numerous legal issues. I wish him well, and I have no doubt that the Turks and Caicos jurisdiction will be the better for having Mr Taylor there as director of public prosecutions,” she said.
She also offered advice on the leadership demands of the role, stressing the importance of management skills and emotional intelligence.
“Leadership in any role demands one thing: that you are prepared to be shoulder and shoulder with your staff. So not only should he be mindful of that high-quality professionalism as it relates to his research and advocacy skills in court but also to the science of management and the twin issues of being able to give the tough love but at the same time have a lot of emotional intelligence to get the best out of your staff. He should always be prepared to lead from the front and to mentor so that every member of staff he interacts with will be left better professionally and otherwise his leadership.”
Additional reporting by the Jamaica Gleaner