Page 26 - ALMI 10TH ANNUAL MOTHER'S DAY AWARD CONCERT

BIOGRAPHY OF
Almada Verniece Wilson
[Nee Simmons]
Almada Verniece Wilson [Née Simmons]
was born on February 9, 1957, on the
picturesque island of Salt Cay to her
loving parents, Samuel and Lucinda
Simmons.
She is the devoted wife of Philip Stanley
Wilson, also of Salt Cay. Together, they
celebrated their forty-fifth wedding
anniversary on March 7, 2025. Their
union has been blessed with three
cherished sons—
Deanzer, Gordon, and
Greggory Wilson—
along with two
beloved daughters-
in-law, Kera & Anna
Wilson. Almada is also
a proud grandmother
to six wonderful
g r a n d c h i l d r e n :
Shania, Damari,
Syomi, Makhi, Gianna,
and Sanai Wilson.
Almada began her
education at Mary
Robinson Primary
School in Salt Cay
before continuing at Helena Jones
Robinson High School in Grand Turk.
Growing up in Salt Cay and Grand Turk
presented its challenges, but she was
a disciplined young woman, upholding
values of respect, dignity, and pride.
PROFESSIONAL JOURNEY
After completing high school in 1976,
Almada returned to Salt Cay and
secured employment as a clerical
officer in the District Commissioner’s
Office. However, her passion for law
enforcement led her to join the Royal
Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force in
June 1977 as a woman police constable.
She completed her initial training in
Barbados before returning home to
serve diligently.
From 1977 to 1995, Almada worked
in various departments, including
Traffic, Supervisor of Airport Security,
Canteen Management, Beat and
Patrol Shift Supervision, Drug Squad,
and Criminal Investigation. She also
served twice as Officer in Charge of
the Salt Cay Police Post [1979–1981
and 1984–1986] and worked as a Police
Prosecutor in the Magistrate’s Courts
of Grand Turk, Salt Cay, and South
Caicos. Her dedication and leadership
skills earned her promotions to the
ranks of Corporal and
Sergeant. She later
became a Police Force
Training Officer,
mentoring and
developing future
law enforcement
officers.
In 1996, Sergeant
Wilson was seconded
to Her Majesty’s
Prison as an Assistant
S u p e r i n t e n d e n t ,
training under a
Superintendent from
Jamaica. Six months
later, she took
over as Superintendent of Prisons,
overseeing the transition from the old
prison in town to a new facility in the
East Suburbs. Under her leadership,
the prison system evolved with the
introduction of a prison farm and
various rehabilitation programs for
inmates.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
AND TRAINING
Mrs. Wilson has received extensive
local and international training
throughout her career.
LOCAL TRAINING
She completed courses in Drug
Awareness, Law Enforcement
Responsibilities, Training of Trainers
in Prosecution Skills, Senior and Top
Management Programs, Child Rights
Consultative Workshops, Food and
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