LATEST NEWS, inside the BPS

Seventh Road Fatality of 2024: 56-Year-Old Damian Simmons

Mon, 2024-11-18

The Bermuda Police Service (BPS) can now confirm the death of 56-year-old Damian Simmons, who was seriously injured in a reported collision involving two motorcycles that occurred around 6:45 P.M. on Thursday, November 7, 2024, on Blue Hole Hill, near the junction with Dolphin Drive, Hamilton Parish.

Mr. Simmons along with the other motorcycle rider, a 45-year-old male, were transported by ambulance to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital for further treatment.

Sadly, Mr. Simmons subsequently succumbed to his injuries.

The Bermuda Police Service extends sincere condolences to his family and friends.

A BPS Family Liaison Officer has been providing relevant support to the family of Mr. Simmons.

The investigation into this incident remains ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact Sergeant Milton Hill of the Roads Policing Unit (RPU) on 515-2481 or, via e-mail mjhill@bps.bm. You may also call the RPU office on 247-1788 or, the main police number 295-0011.

BPS Officers Receive NCA Financial Crime Investigations Training

Thu, 2024-11-14

In keeping with ongoing efforts to enhance its capabilities, The Bermuda Police Service (BPS) is currently conducting a two week training course focusing on asset confiscation and financial crime investigation.

The course which began on Monday, November 4th and concludes on the Friday, November 15th, is being facilitated by Jason Aldridge and Ian Ball, of the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency.

It was organised by the BPS and is being conducted at its Prospect Headquarters, with officers from the following units involved:

Financial Crime Unit

Drugs Unit

Criminal Investigation Unit

Anti-Corruption Unit

Technology Department

Community Policing Division

Acting Detective Superintendent, Jason Smith, of the Serious Crime Division stated, “This opportunity will result in our officers becoming more adept at investigating the activity of those engaging in financial activity for furtherance of criminal enterprise. This is imperative as the BPS plays a major role in protecting Bermuda’s reputation as a well-respected, financial jurisdiction.”

Mr. Smith added, “Bringing the facilitators to Bermuda has allowed for a much larger officer cohort to benefit from this initiative. This has resulted in significant cost savings, but more importantly, has widened the pool from which to draw as we work to address this aspect of criminal activity."

BACK ROW L to R:

Detective Constable Randy Alexander

Acting Chief Inspector Mark Tomlinson

Inspector Nidol Barker

MIDDLE ROW L to R:

Detective Constable Dawn Hector  

Detective Constable Graeme Bird  

Detective Sergeant Crai-Che Hall

Detective Sergeant Zoenique Williams

Detective Constable Sandra Philips-Bain  

Detective Sergeant Whitney Wilkinson  

Inspector Karema Flood  

Detective Constable Zaakira Lee

SEATED L to R:

Acting Detective Superintendent Jason Smith

Ian Ball - Trainer  

Deputy Commissioner of Police Na’imah Astwood   

Acting Inspector Leroy Mathurin

Jason Aldridge – Trainer

Remembrance Day Holiday Weekend Policing Activity Recap

Tue, 2024-11-12

The Bermuda Police Service (BPS) conducted proactive patrols island wide and responded to various calls for service, during the Remembrance Day holiday weekend.

However, there were no major incidents of anti-social behaviour reported.

Of note, from 5pm Friday, 8th November until 5am Tuesday, 12th November 2024, a total of 13 arrests were made for various offences.

In addition, five motorists were arrested on suspicion of impaired driving, with several tickets for traffic infractions also issued.

As we enter the festive season, the BPS once again reminds members of the public to socialise responsibly.

Similarly, all motorists are urged to prioritise the safety of every road user, by not operating a vehicle while intoxicated and by not speeding.

Witness Appeal: Fatal Collision Involving 2 Motorcycles in Hamilton Parish

Sat, 2024-11-09

Around 6:45 p.m. on Thursday, November 7, 2024, police were despatched to a serious road traffic collision involving two motorcycles on Blue Hole Hill, near the junction with Dolphin Drive, Hamilton Parish.

Officers arrived at the scene to find EMTs already providing assistance to the both riders, a 56-year old male and a 45-year-old male who were lying on the roadway next to their vehicles which were extensively damaged.

The 56-year-old male sustained serious head and other injuries. The 45-year-old male suffered a serious leg injury.

Both men were transported to King Edward the VII Memorial Hospital for further treatment.

Sadly, the 56-year-old male succumbed to his injuries.

The 46-year-old male remains warded at the hospital following surgery.

The collision resulted in significant traffic delays with the roadway closed for approximately two and a half hours while the scene was forensically processed.

An investigation into this incident is now underway and we wish to thank those members of the public who have already come forward to assist.

Anyone else with information is asked to contact Constable Victor Fishington of the Roads Policing Unit (RPU) on 717-0836 or, via e-mail vfishington@bps.bm. You may also call the RPU office on 247-1788 or, the main police number 295-0011.

This marks the 7th fatal road traffic collision for 2024.

BPS Responds With Vital Donations After Urgent Salvation Army Appeal

Fri, 2024-11-08

Vital donations of grocery items were officially handed over at the Salvation Army’s North Street Citadel, by members of the Bermuda Police Service (BPS), around 4pm Friday, 8th November 2024.

Responding to a recent urgent appeal by Salvation Army Bermuda for non-perishable, boxed, canned and tinned food supplies to assist local individuals as well as families serviced by their feeding programmes this month, the approximately $4,000 worth of food was contributed by various BPS departments and collected at Hamilton Police Station, since the end of October.

Commissioner of Police Darrin Simons and Deputy Commissioner of Police Na’imah Astwood presented the necessary provisions to Salvation Army Major Darryl Simms, who thanked all members of the BPS who contributed, for their generosity and kindness.

In the photo from left to right: BPS Constable Moya Ogilvie-Milwood, Salvation Army Captain Dennis Maybury, Deputy Commissioner of Police Na’imah Astwood, Salvation Army Major Darryl Simms and Commissioner of Police Darrin Simons.

November Set of Latest BPS Bermuda Sports Superstars Cards Released

Tue, 2024-11-05

The eagerly anticipated next set of Bermuda Police Service (BPS) Bermuda Sports Superstars Cards are now officially released!

This month’s set of six Superstars (three women and three men), features (in no particular order):

The late Marco Warren (Football)
Ebonie Cox (Golf)
BPS Constable Dennis Joell (Bowling)
Caitlin Conyers (Cycling)
Bernard Wade III (Archery)
Talia Iris (Martial Arts)

Officially launched 1st October 2024, the first set of six highlighted three Legends and three Superstars.

Produced in partnership with Hamilton Princess, these sports cards are scheduled to be released in limited batches monthly, until all 44 are available in May 2025.

Our youth are encouraged to actively seek out police officers throughout the island for an opportunity to receive one of the latest collectible cards!

Students may also collect one of the 12 inspiring sports cards released to date at any police station (Hamilton, Somerset and Southside).

Follow BPS social media (Facebook, Instagram & Twitter/X) to see which local sporting heroes are next!

Official BPS Statistics Report for 2021 Released

Tue, 2024-11-05

Commissioner of Police, Darrin Simons - "The Bermuda Police Service (BPS) has released its Official Statistics Report for 2021, highlighting key crime trends and patterns over the year. The report reveals a total of 3,165 recorded offences — a decrease of 4% compared to 2020 - and the lowest number since records began in 2000.

Key Findings:

Crimes Against the Person, decreased from 639 offences in 2020 to 579 in 2021.

Total property crimes dropped from 1,741 to 1,735.

There were 7 recorded murders, with 3 involving bladed articles, and 3 involving firearms.

Traffic collisions totalled 1,263, with 17 fatalities. One of the highest number recorded.

While total crime was reduced, the Covid-19 regulations that were in effect throughout the year, limited gatherings and social activities, and so impacted crime patterns.

While the report aims to provide timely and objective information, it was delayed due to the necessity to support core policing services and functions. This required reallocating resources from backend functions to respond to calls for service and enforce Covid-19 measures. Although the BPS continues to enhance its Intelligence Led Policing capabilities, the immediate need was to maintain service delivery during the pandemic.

The Official Statistics Report 2021, is accurate, objective and provides a snapshot of the crime that occurred, but it is regrettably not timely, given the 2.5-year delay. It should have been produced in April 2022. Officers routinely access the real-time crime data to make deployment decisions in the moment. This data needs to settle and undergo a rigorous review process before it is released to the public. The data that report summarizes was used to support focused resource deployment at operational and tactical levels in 2021, even prior to the report's promulgation.

Given this context, the report is useful in setting out what happened from a crime perspective and identifying the BPS's response to the pandemic along with the challenges facing our community. It demonstrates our commitment to transparency and openness in our operations.

Ultimately, the Official Statistics Report 2021, serves as a final point on how the BPS records, manages, and reports its activities.

Analysis and Future Direction:

As your Commissioner of Police, I believe this report is both encouraging and revealing of our challenges. It captures the immense pressure the BPS faced during the pandemic while demonstrating our commitment to community safety from internal and external threats. The report affirms that, despite exceptional circumstances, we rearranged our limited resources to sustain frontline service, reinforcing our pledge to keep Bermuda safe. However, we continue to face various threats and internal concerns regarding capacity and capability.

For detailed statistics and more information, we encourage the community to review the complete report available on our website.

Thank you for your continued support."

Witness Appeal: 6th Road Fatality of 2024, 19-Year-Old Damitri Edwards

Mon, 2024-11-04

The Bermuda Police Service (BPS) can now confirm the death of 19-year-old Damitri Edwards, who was seriously injured in a reported two vehicle collision involving a motorcycle and a truck, that occurred around 8:10 A.M. on Friday, November 1, 2024, near the junction of Lolly’s Well Road and Harrington Sound Road, Smith’s.

Despite all lifesaving efforts, Damitri was later that day pronounced dead, at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

The Bermuda Police Service extends sincere condolences to his family and friends.

A BPS Family Liaison Officer has been providing relevant support to the family of Mr. Edwards.

The investigation into this matter continues and any witnesses who have not already come forward, or persons with pertinent knowledge about the circumstances of this fatal collision, are encouraged to contact Constable Asaph Rawlins of the Roads Policing Unit on 717-2123,  247-1788 or, via e-mail at, arawlins@bps.bm.

Alternatively, please share any information that you may have with a police officer you’re familiar with.

Witness Appeals: Two Motorcycle Collision & Suspicious Car Fire

Mon, 2024-11-04

Shortly after 5:15 p.m. on Sunday, November 3, 2024, police attended a road traffic collision involving two motorcycles, near the junction of Parson’s Road and Crossland Lane, Pembroke.

Officers arrived at the scene to find a 57-year-old male with head and facial injuries.

However, they were informed the second motorcycle had already left the area.

Officers immediately rendered first aid to the victim who was reportedly unresponsive for a period of time.

He was subsequently transported by ambulance to King Edward Memorial Hospital for further treatment.

The male is said to have left the hospital having checked himself out.

Enquiries into this incident are ongoing and anyone with information is asked to call the main police number, 295-0011 or 211.

You may also provide information via the BPS community reporting portal at https://portal.police.bm.

Suspicious Car Fire

Around 9:40 a.m. on Sunday, November 3, 2024, Police along with Bermuda Fire and Rescue Services responded to a report of a car on fire, in the parking lot at the junction of Elliott Street and Union Street, Pembroke.

Upon their arrival, officers were informed a male wearing a black face mask was seen running away from the location.

Fortunately, the vehicle did not become fully engulfed and was only left with minor damage.

However, there were items recovered at the scene to suggest the fire was maliciously set.

An investigation into this incident has since begun and anyone with information is asked to contact Police Constable Quincy Fevriere by calling the main police number 295-0011 or via email, qfevriere@bps.bm.

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