Press Releases
Black History Month Trailblazer: Sergeant Cerepha Bridgeman
Sat, 2021-02-27
Today’s Black History Month Trailblazer: Sergeant Cerepha Bridgeman
Cerepha Bridgeman, is from the island of Barbados. She joined the Bermuda Police Service in September 2008.
She has worked as a uniform patrol officer and was subsequently transferred to the Community Action Team as a Community Officer.
Sergeant Bridgeman exemplifies the epitome of a community officer and regularly assist with community oriented tasks, supports her colleagues and other agencies with community outreach and at risk youth and the elderly.
She has received specialized training in various areas and in November 2017, she successfully completed her certifications in Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), in addition, she is an instructor in Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.), a volunteer life coach with the MIRRORS Program.
As a result of her outstanding commitment to the Mirrors Program in 2018, she was awarded the Mirrors Silver Award. Also in 2018, Cerepha was nominated in the ACCP Regional Awards in the category of Top Caribbean Community Policing Officer and placed a respectable second runner up position.
In June 2019, Cerepha was promoted to the rank of Police Sergeant and continues to work in the role of Community Officer as her dedication to the community has resulted in her receiving the Volunteer of the Year Award for the Mirrors Programme in July of 2020.
Read MoreBlack History Month Trailblazer: Constable Angela Cox
Sat, 2021-02-27
Today's Black History Month Trailblazer: Constable Angela Cox
Angela, is a Bermudian officer, married to Dean and the mother of two sons. She joined the Bermuda Police Service, in June 1986. Angela, spent the majority of her career working as a patrol officer at Hamilton Police Station.
She remained there until 1995, when she transferred to the Women’s Police Office where she investigated Juvenile Crimes and all matters involving juveniles. Following that she had a brief period in Criminal Investigation Department, before being transferred to Parish Office where she performed the role of Pembroke Parish Constable; and later appointed as the 1st female Parish Officer for the “City of Hamilton”.
She is presently attached to Police Prosecutions Dept. (Court Liaison Unit) as the Daily Plea Court Officer. In addition to her policing role, Angela previously owned and managed a small clothing boutique in the City of Hamilton. She enjoys cooking and exercising and maintains a healthy and happy lifestyle.
This year she will be celebrating 34 years of service to the people of Bermuda, and we say thank you for your contribution to “Making Bermuda Safer.”
Black History Month Trailblazer: Brenda Johnson
Sat, 2021-02-27
Today's Black History Month Trailblazer: Mrs. Brenda Johnson
Mrs. Johnson joined Bermuda Police Service as a civilian member on 8th December 1975. She is the Traffic Records Clerk at Police Headquarters, Prospect. She maintains and keeps immaculate records of all reported traffic collisions in the island of Bermuda. She also held the post of BPS Garage Cost Clerk.
Mrs. Johnson has been employed with BPS for over 45 years, making her the longest serving member (police staff/officer) in the history of the service, having served under the administration of ten Police Commissioners.
In 2019, at the BPS Awards Ceremony, Brenda was awarded a Commissioner’s Commendation for her long and distinguished service to the BPS, in addition to a Commissioners Merit Award in 2009.
In addition, Brenda has been married to Mitchel for forty years and has three children Damon, Mechell and Marcus-Alan and six beautiful grandchildren. In her spare time Brenda enjoys reading and spending time with her family and friends.
We take this time to thank Brenda for her dedication and commitment to the BPS and her service to the people of Bermuda.
Black History Month Trailblazer: Acting Detective Inspector Dorian Astwood
Fri, 2021-02-26
Today's Black History Month Trailblazer: Acting Detective Inspector Dorian Astwood
Dorian is a Bermudian officer who began his career with the Bermuda Police Service (BPS) in January 1993. He has been selected and posted in several key positions; in addition to having successfully completed numerous specialized training courses locally and overseas.
Dorian was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in October 2003, and is presently Acting Inspector, OIC Special Branch and Government Security Officer. He is a Police Vehicles Driving Instructor, Close Protection Officer, Tactical Firearms Commander and Firearms Tactical Advisor having served 19 years as a member and Team Leader in the Firearms Emergency Response Team.
During the span of his career, Dorian has been the recipient of 4 Commissioner Commendations, 5 Team Merit Awards and in 2019 he was recognised by the Department of Public Prosecution for Outstanding Service.
He maintains a healthy lifestyle and fitness regime and in his off time can often be found working out in the gym; and either cycling or walking with his wife Shannell.
Black History Month Trailblazer: Commandant Sandra Cortina Beach
Fri, 2021-02-26
Today’s Black History Month Trailblazer: Commandant Sandra Cortina Beach
On Thursday, 8 October, 2015, Sandra Cortina Beach, broke the glass ceiling when she became the first female to be appointed as Commandant of the Bermuda Police Reserves.
Commandant Beach a graduate of the Whitney Institute School, joined the Bermuda Reserve Police July, 1995, and immediately her leadership qualities were exposed and in April 1998, she was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. She continued to work hard to rise up the ranks and was promoted to Reserve Inspector in September of the following year. Her efforts and strong work ethic did not end there and was again she was promoted to Chief Inspector in April, 2001.
During the month of May that year, as a Chief Inspector, Ms. Beach was exposed to operating in a strategic leadership role as she oversaw the running of the entire organization owing to the absence of the Commandant, Deputy Commandant and Superintendent. In addition, she worked in all divisions of the Service and was promoted to Superintendent in September, 2004.
Commandant Beach is known for organizing skills and performing leadership roles on behalf of the Bermuda Police Service, in many of the community events; including, the Annual Girl Guides Thinking Day Service, Harbour Nights Policing Plans and the Annual Christmas Parade, held in the City of Hamilton. She has received overseas training and attended several conferences and courses in Barbados, Canada, London, Bahamas and the United Kingdom.
For her service she has been awarded the Queen’s Jubilee Medal in 2002, the Colonial Police Long Service Award, in October 2010, for 15 years of service, and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012 and the Colonial Police Long Service Award in October 2020, for 25 years of service. She is presently leading on the 70th anniversary celebration plans for the Reserves in July of this year.
Black History Month Trailblazer: Carole Royer
Thu, 2021-02-25
Today's Black History Month Trailblazer: Ms. Carole Royer
In 1959, Ms. Carole Royer, became the first black female and the first civilian to work in an administrative position for the Bermuda Police Force.
Commissioner Henderson was in charge of the Police Force when she joined the Force and by the time she retired forty years later, in March 1999, she had served under the administration of seven Police Commissioners.
On her retirement Carole was honoured with the Queen’s Certificate and Badge of Honour for her Long Service to the Police, and a gold award and plaque from Commissioner Colin Coxall for her outstanding contribution to the Bermuda Police.
Carole continues her relationship with her friends and former colleagues of the BPS by attending social events or via telephone calls. Carole paved the way and trained many of the females and male officers alike and was instrumental in creating the systems that are used today.
Thank you Carole for your many contributions, service and dedication to the Bermuda Police Service and the people Bermuda.
Black History Month Trailblazer: Deborah Binns-Robinson
Thu, 2021-02-25
Today's Black History Month Trailblazer: Mrs. Deborah Binns-Robinson
Mrs. Binns-Robinson joined Government on 14th November 1977, working at the Department of Tourism and later the Registrar of Companies. In December 1983, she joined the Bermuda Police Service, Police Headquarters, Prospect, as an Administrative Assistant with Special Branch/Intelligence until 2012.
Mrs. Binns-Robinson has been employed with Government and the BPS for over 43 years. She continues to perform her duties as the Administrative Assistant for the Superintendent in charge at Hamilton Police Station; making her one of the longest serving members in the history of the service, having served under the administration of nine Police Commissioners.
Her other connection to the BPS is with her sibling Christopher who also works for the BPS. Deborah is married to Russell and has two sons Antoine and Russell Jr. In addition to her work commitments, Mrs. Binns-Robinson enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends and is an active member of the Seventh day Adventist Church.
Deborah, we take this time to salute you for your contribution to public service and to your significant achievements within the Bermuda Police Service.
Black History Month Trailblazer: Sergeant Michael "Terry" Thomas
Thu, 2021-02-25
Today’s Black History Month Trailblazer: Sergeant Michael “Terry” Thomas
Sergeant Thomas is a Bermudian who joined the Bermuda Police Service (BPS) as a Cadet in August 1986. During his tenure he has served in several key post within the BPS and is arguably the most trained officer in the service.
In March 2007, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and his policing role includes; Police Motor Car and Cycle Driving Instructor, BPS Chief Firearms Instructor and Service Armourer, Emergency Response Team (ERT) Member as well as the Coordinator, Officer Safety Instructor, Public Order Instructor, Incident Commander and Trainer.
He remains active within the organisation in his efforts to maintain morale as a member of the annual Police Week Committee responsible for the fun day/sports day and police gymkhana.
In addition to his policing duties, Terry is an avid sportsman and has represented various sports clubs including Young Men’s Social Club, Nationals Sports Club, Devonshire Recreation Club, North Village Community Club, St George's Stallions and the BPS in cricket and football, both locally and internationally. He is also an active member of cycling club Winners Edge and has participated in several of the Annual Heritage Day Sinclair Packwood Memorial Cycle Race.
Stabbing Incident in the City of Hamilton, Two Suspects Arrested [Updated]
Wed, 2021-02-24
Around 4:00 p.m. today, Wednesday 24th February, 2020, police responded to a report of a stabbing incident at the bus terminal in the City of Hamilton.
Upon arrival officers were informed the victim a sixteen-year-old male had suffered a stab wound to the chest and left on a motorcycle headed to King Edward Hospital, where at last check, he was undergoing emergency surgery.
His injuries which were described as life threatening.
Black History Month Trailblazer: Former Inspector Jean Vickers (nee Mattis)
Wed, 2021-02-24
Today's Black History Month Trailblazer: Former Inspector Jean Vickers (nee Mattis)
Jean Vickers (nee Mattis) made history as our first Bermudian female police officer when she was recruited by then Commissioner George Robins who made the decision to recruit women into the Bermuda Police in the early 1960s. Jean joined the BPS in January 1962, attending our first 3 month Basic Training Course #1 along with two other females, Betty Osborne and Gwendolyn DeGrilla.
These three were posted to the newly formed Policewomen’s Department then headed by Inspector Isobel Lee who had been hired from the UK to set up the Department. Initially, our female officers dealt with such matters as offences against women including rape, indecent assaults and domestic violence, the ill-treatment of children, and handling female prisoners when arrested, but they soon began dealing with a wider variety of police work. Jean excelled in the job and was soon awarded a Commissioner's Commendation for investigating a forgery case in 1964, and a second Commendation in 1966 in connection with a drugs case.
In 1968 Jean was promoted to Sergeant and second-in-charge of the Police Women’s Department, and in 1977, when W/Inspector Lee retired, Jean was promoted to Inspector-in-charge of the Department. Having earned the distinction of becoming the first Bermudian Female to be promoted to the rank of Police Inspector.
