Wed, 2009-03-11

ADDRESS BY MR. GEORGE JACKSON, COMMISSIONER OF POLICE - Good Afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen, I have called this Press Conference to address growing concerns in the Community and the Media at the levels of Violence and Gun Crime on our Streets. Among a significant group of predominantly young men we are seeing increasing Gang Style behaviour. Some are trying to copy the behaviours of Criminal Gangs in other countries. Everything from the way they dress, the crimes they commit and their weapons – including firearms, they are prepared to use, shows that they are choosing a life outside the law. They try to mark out their territory; they are regularly getting into violent clashes with one another often with the use of weapons. Weekly we learn of thefts from one another - gold chains, being one of the most common items taken.  I use the word learn because in many of these cases the victim refuses to report the matter to the police or support the police investigation. On many occasions the victims are out numbered by their attackers. That is a problem that must be addressed by the Police and by others.

There has been much commentary that the police are doing nothing or never to be seen. I have heard little praise for the courage of my officers, men and women who are out on the streets day and night policing our community. You will recall the two recent cases one where officers chasing a suspect were shot at and more recently the pursuit and arrest of an armed individual. I would like to place on public record my appreciation to my officers for the courage and professionalism they displayed in those incidents and continue to display on a daily basis.

Last year my officers arrested over 3,000 persons. That figure includes 13 persons arrested for firearms offences. Of the 3,000 arrested 520 were arrested more than once and one person was arrested 15 times in the year. A number of firearms have been recovered by Police - we will speak more of that shortly. The recent convictions for the Murder of Akil Richardson among other cases show all quarters of the Police Service are focused on Gun, Gang and Drug Crime. Of the safety on our Roads the constant call is for more Police enforcement. Last year my officers issued almost 10,000 tickets for traffic violations. I think those numbers alone should speak volumes to Police activity on the streets.

In recent days my Senior Command Team and I have met with our Minister. The Minister emphasised his concerns.  There is total agreement that the growing menace of Gangs is a priority for the Police Service. The Police goal remains to strengthen our Community Policing Approach and engage with our Communities on all matters of concern. However, this Gang behaviour and wanton violence will not be tolerated. The Police response to violence will be robust but it will remain within the law, and my officers will apply the law fully.

Some commentary has called for gang specific legislation, I am not convinced that such laws are helpful, legislation is, of course, a matter for Government, they have sought my views and I have submitted my recommendations on how some amendments to existing legislation and practices can assist the police in tackling the gang problem, I am aware that they are under consideration.

I indicated in 2006 that I would be deploying armed officers on the street; I have continued to do so. My Senior Command and I regularly review the deployment of armed officers. I have increased the number of officers trained in the use of firearms and will continue to build capacity in that area. Where I see the need I will increase the number of armed officers available. We have a 24/7 armed response on patrol and our Emergency Response Team is available to respond to more serious incidents, or where tactical interventions are required, therefore, do not be surprised if the officer who responds to your call is wearing a firearm. But be reassured the Bermuda Police Service adopt standards of selection, training and deployment that are consistent with best practices in the policing environment.

At this time there is no intention to arm all patrol officers our response is and will always be proportionate to the threat.

I am speaking directly now to those young men engaging in gang and gun behaviour. Being afraid of what the gang next door is doing is no excuse and tit for tat revenge is no excuse. Continuing as you are is only going to end in misery for you, your friends and family. At best you will spend a lengthy time in gaol, at worst there will be further bloodshed and loss of life. You need to stop this nonsense now.

ADDRESS BY MR. MICHAEL DESILVA, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF POLICE

Recently 2007 was our worst year for Firearms incidents with 2 fatal shootings, 2 persons wounded and 4 confirmed discharges of a firearm. Firearms were used or brandished at the Police twice in 2007. We had a further 32 unconfirmed firearms reports. That includes intelligence or reports from the public that someone has, or said they have, a gun, seen a gun or heard what they thought was a gun shot.

2008 saw 1 person wounded by a firearm and 5 confirmed firearm discharges. Firearms were also used or brandished at the police twice in that year. There were 23 unconfirmed firearms reports. There was a sharp increase to 5 Robberies where a firearm or imitation firearm was used. On a proactive police note, 12 persons were arrested for possession of firearms or other firearms related offences and 8 handguns were recovered.

So far in 2009, we have 2 confirmed firearms discharges, 3 Robberies with a firearm or imitation firearm, and 4 unconfirmed reports.2 persons have been arrested and 2 firearms have been recovered.

We understand policing the community against firearms is a risky business and we commend those officers who take on that responsibility. To assist them and to protect them we assess the risks on a regular basis to make the best possible decision around deployment to keep the public and our officers safe. As the Commissioner has explained we have carefully assessed the current threat and have set our level of Police firearms response to an appropriate level.

But law enforcement is only one arm of the holistic community approach, the use of guns has a life cycle, they are purchased overseas, they are transported and smuggled across borders in order to enter Bermuda, they are stashed in closets, under floorboards and in back gardens, they are passed around and rented and they are used to commit offences. And at each phase of this life cycle there are members of our community that know where the guns are, who has them and what they are intended for. These members of the community cannot continue to demand public safety but continue to harbour criminals, hide guns and turn a blind eye to the criminality that is associated with guns and gangs.

To that end, once again we encourage the public to bring forward any information that will help gets the guns off the street and reverse this trend back to a safer quieter community.

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