The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS) has entered a new chapter in its senior leadership following the appointment of Robert Atkin MBE as Deputy Commissioner of Police, succeeding Anthony Ennis after a policing career spanning 45 years.

Governor Jane Owen announced the appointment on Monday alongside the promotion of Brad Ebanks to Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police. Both officers assumed their new roles on 1 August following an open recruitment process overseen by the independent Police Service Commission (PSC) and endorsed by the National Security Council.

The appointments mark one of the most significant leadership changes within the RCIPS in recent years and come as the Service continues to implement long-term organisational reforms aimed at strengthening operational policing, developing its workforce and enhancing community confidence.

Leadership transition

Atkin succeeds Anthony Ennis, one of the longest-serving senior officers in the history of the RCIPS.

Ennis joined the Service more than four decades ago and rose through its ranks before becoming Assistant Commissioner in 2003 and Deputy Commissioner in 2005. Throughout his tenure, he held responsibility for governance and organisational strategy, helping shape the RCIPS during a period of significant growth and modernisation. He also completed executive policing programmes, including the FBI National Academy, and has represented the Cayman Islands within international policing organisations.

During his tenure, Ennis also became embroiled in Operation Tempura, the 2007 corruption investigation commissioned by the Cayman Islands Government - an episode widely regarded as one of the most controversial and costly chapters in the Islands' modern policing history. The inquiry examined allegations that Ennis had improperly disclosed confidential RCIPS information to the late Desmond Seales, publisher and editor of Cayman Net News. However, the official Operation Tempura report concluded that investigators "quickly established that there was no evidence of a corrupt relationship between Ennis and Seales." Instead, the report found that "evidence did emerge to show that there had been an attempt to enter unlawfully the offices of Seales." Operation Tempura and its aftermath became the subject of years of public scrutiny, legal proceedings and official reviews, costing the taxpayer millions of dollars. Ennis remained in office throughout and ultimately completed a distinguished 45-year policing career before retiring as Deputy Commissioner.

Governor Owen paid tribute to Ennis' contribution, saying his leadership, professionalism and commitment had made "a lasting contribution to policing in the Cayman Islands" and adding: "I thank him for his distinguished service."

Extensive policing experience

Deputy Commissioner Atkin brings more than three decades of policing experience to the role.

He began his policing career as a Metropolitan Police cadet before becoming a constable in London and later serving with both the Metropolitan Police Service and the City of London Police. During his career in the United Kingdom, he held senior leadership positions overseeing specialist firearms operations, airport policing, strategic recruitment and organisational development.

Before joining the RCIPS Senior Command Team as Assistant Commissioner, Atkin had developed extensive experience managing complex operational policing and specialist units. In 2014, he was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in recognition of his service supporting the families of police officers killed in the line of duty.

Governor Owen said Atkin had distinguished himself since joining the RCIPS leadership team and praised his extensive policing experience, strategic leadership and understanding of the security challenges facing the Cayman Islands.

New responsibilities

As Deputy Commissioner, Atkin will serve as the Commissioner's principal deputy and provide strategic leadership across the Service's operational policing functions, including oversight of detective and uniform branches. The role also carries responsibility for supporting organisational governance, operational planning and policing strategy.

Commissioner of Police Kurt Walton said the Deputy Commissioner provides critical strategic support across all aspects of policing and security, adding that he was confident Atkin would continue the standard of leadership established by his predecessor.

Walton also welcomed Ebanks to the Senior Command Team, noting his nearly four decades of policing experience within the RCIPS.

A career built within RCIPS

Unlike Atkin, whose policing experience was developed internationally before joining the RCIPS, Ebanks has spent almost his entire professional career serving in the Cayman Islands.

His appointment as Acting Assistant Commissioner recognises nearly 39 years of operational policing experience and places a long-serving Caymanian officer within the Service's senior leadership at a time when succession planning and the development of local leadership remain important organisational priorities.

In accepting his appointment, Ebanks said he looked forward to working collaboratively with colleagues across the Senior Command Team while continuing to strengthen the professionalism of the Service.

Vision for the future

Speaking after his appointment, Atkin described his promotion as "a tremendous honour" and thanked the Police Service Commission, the Governor and Commissioner Walton for their confidence in him.

He also paid tribute to Anthony Ennis' years of service, saying the retiring Deputy Commissioner leaves "a significant legacy."

Looking ahead, Atkin said his priority would be providing strong and visible leadership, supporting police officers and staff, maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and integrity, and continuing to strengthen public trust in the RCIPS.

"I look forward to working with Commissioner Walton, Assistant Commissioner Ebanks and all our colleagues as we continue to build a modern, accountable and community-focused police service for the future," he said.

Independent appointments process

The appointments followed an open recruitment exercise involving both local and international candidates.

Responsibility for selecting senior RCIPS officers rests with the Police Service Commission, an independent constitutional body established in 2021 to oversee appointments, discipline and accountability for senior police leadership. The Commission's recommendations were subsequently endorsed by the National Security Council before the Governor confirmed the appointments.

The process is intended to reinforce transparency, merit-based recruitment and public confidence in the leadership of the Islands' police service.

Challenges ahead

The leadership transition comes as policing agencies globally continue adapting to increasingly complex demands, including cybercrime, financial crime, safeguarding vulnerable people, workforce development and the integration of new technologies into frontline policing.

For the RCIPS, the appointments also represent continuity at the highest levels of leadership while providing an opportunity to build on ongoing organisational reforms and strengthen public confidence in policing across the Cayman Islands.

With Atkin now serving as Deputy Commissioner and Ebanks joining the Senior Command Team as Acting Assistant Commissioner, the RCIPS begins its next phase under a leadership team combining international policing experience with decades of operational service in the Cayman Islands.