Michael Ebanks Appointed Chief Officer for District Admin and Home Affairs

Michael Ebanks has been appointed as Chief Officer in the Ministry of District Administration and Home Affairs, effective Monday, 1 September 2025. He previously served as Acting Chief Officer in the Ministry of Home Affairs in the previous administration.

Mr. Ebanks was selected following a comprehensive open recruitment process, which included a selection panel that comprised Deputy Governor Honourable Franz Manderson, businesswoman Bridgette Kirkconnell and Chair of the Commission for Standards in Public Life Woody Foster.

His civil service career spans close to two decades, starting as a detective for the Criminal Investigation Department Specialist Operations Unit of the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service in 2007, where he dealt with a variety of major incidents and high-profile criminal investigations. In 2010, he worked as an analyst/administrator for the Commissions Secretariat, where he was responsible for policy development and conducting inquiries on matters concerning ethics in the public office, human rights, and anti-corruption issues.

Mr. Ebanks joined the former Ministry of Home Affairs in 2015 as an Assistant Chief Officer. During his first year in the position, he co-led the implementation of cyber-security reforms and helped coordinate special projects, legislative reforms and public policy on matters of national security and public safety. In 2016, he was appointed as the Acting Deputy Chief Officer and was later honoured for his achievements when chosen as the Ministry of Home Affairs’ Employee of the Year.

He holds a bachelor of arts degree in education from the University of North Florida, and a master of science degree in criminal justice from Florida Metropolitan University.

Minister for District Administration and Home Affairs, Honourable Nickolas DaCosta has welcomed the appointment, stating, “The Ministry is pleased to formally acknowledge Mr Ebanks as the Chief Officer, a role he has successfully been acting in for several years. I am confident that CO Ebanks’ leadership will empower the Ministry to deliver on the promises of our administration. His extensive experience in law enforcement, policy development and public administration, combined with his proven track record of successful reform implementation, makes him ideally suited to guide our Ministry through the important work ahead.”

Similarly, Deputy Governor Honourable Franz Manderson said, "Mr. Ebanks brings a wealth of experience and institutional knowledge that is invaluable in this role. His comprehensive understanding of both operational and strategic aspects of home affairs, coupled with his commitment to excellence in public service, made him an excellent choice. I have full confidence that under his stewardship, the Ministry will continue to uphold the highest standards of governance and public safety that our citizens deserve.”

In commenting on his appointment, Chief Officer Ebanks stated, “I am humbled by the confidence placed in my abilities by the Deputy Governor and Minister, and I am proud to continue supporting the vision of a World-Class Civil Service. This appointment represents not just a personal milestone, but an opportunity to further strengthen the critical services that protect and support our community. Having served in various capacities within the public sector, I understand the challenges we face and we build on the strong foundation we have established. I look forward to our continued work as one team to deliver excellence in everything we do.”