Press Releases
Black History Month Trailblazer: Assistant Commissioner Antoine Daniels
Wed, 2021-02-24
Today’s Black History Month Trailblazer: Assistant Commissioner Antoine Daniels
Mr. Antoine Daniels, a black Bermudian, joined the Bermuda Police Force (Service) in 1984 as a Cadet and rose through the ranks becoming one of the Police Service’s youngest Assistant Commissioners in July 2012, at the age of 44.
He has two sons Antoine and Ahri and is married to Alison. Throughout his career he has held significant responsibilities including acting as the Strategic Commander for the America's Cup 2017, as well as the strategic lead for police firearms and public order response. ACOP Daniels has significant experience in managing major criminal cases from both operational and strategic levels, having spent large periods of his career as an investigator.
Mr. Daniels has received significant training and in addition to his BSc. in Criminal Justice, he completed the International Commanders Programme in 2008 and the International Strategic Leadership Programme in 2010, at UK’s National Policing Improvement Agency. At that time Assistant Commissioner Daniels was only the second student at the Staff College to receive Executive Diplomas in both Strategic Management and Leadership from the Chartered Management Institute. In 2020 he successfully completed the prestigious Strategic Command Course held at the UK’s College of Policing, achieving an overall result of Distinction.
Read MoreBlack History Month Trailblazer: Reginald Chesterfield Eugene "Pickles" Smith
Tue, 2021-02-23
Today's Black History Month Trailblazer: Reginald Chesterfield Eugene “Pickles” Smith
Eugene or “Pickles” as he is widely known Bermudian who began his employment with the Bermuda Police Service (BPS) as an apprentice motor mechanic having completed his training at the Bermuda College in October 1978.
He now has over 43 years of service, making him one of the longest serving members (police/civilian) in the history of the BPS. Pickles entire work and adult life has been spent working with the Bermuda Police Service.
During his employment, he has been an important part of the team that keeps all BPS vehicles maintained and road worthy, thereby keeping the general public, police officers and staff of the organization safe.
In addition to his long and celebrated career with the BPS, Pickles is an avid sportsman who has represented the North Village Community Club, Centours United, Vasco de Gama and St David Cricket Club in football. He is an active member of the BPS Football and Golf Sections and is also a member of the Ocean View Golf Club.
Pickles has also participated in the Annual Heritage Day Road Race (24 May) on several occasions, starting at the age of 16 years old and has finished a respectable 9th place on several of those occasions.
Black History Month Trailblazer: Inspector Charlene Thompson
Tue, 2021-02-23
Today's Black History Month Trailblazer: Inspector Charlene Thompson
Charlene joined the Bermuda Police Service (BPS) in April 1995, and was a graduate from Recruit Foundation Course #50. She was also awarded the coveted “Baton of Honour” as the Best Overall Recruit.
During her employment with the BPS, she has held several key positions including, the Criminal Investigations Department, Community and Juvenile Services, Serious Crime Unit, OIC Training Department and the Organised and Economic Crime Division.
Another first for Charlene was to be the first female Police Inspector, Guard Commander to lead the BPS Guard in the annual Queen’s Birthday Parade celebration. More recently she was posted as OIC Roads Policing/Airport Unit and is presently posted to the Commissioner’s Office on Special Projects.
In addition to her policing duties, Charlene is the mother of two young ladies Jasmine and Kiara and three grandchildren, ages 11, 9 and 2 years old.
She spends her weekends baking the best culinary goods, sewing or quilting, bed spreads and handbags, all of which she donates to local charities.
Black History Month Trailblazer: Sergeant Fiona Miller
Tue, 2021-02-23
Today's Black History Month Trailblazer: Sergeant Fiona Miller
Sergeant Miller is a Bermudian Officer who joined the Bermuda Police Service (BPS) in June 1991. During her varied tenure as a Police Officer, Fiona has served in a number of key positions within the BPS. She has received specialist training and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in June 2005.
She holds the distinction of in 2001, becoming the first BPS Female Motor Vehicle Driving Instructor and remains active to date.
Fiona is also a member of the BPS Critical Incident Stress Management Team. She has held post as OIC Cadet Training as well as a Recruitment Officer for the Service and has been a member of the recruitment team that has travelled to the UK, Canada and the Caribbean to recruit officers for the BPS.
In her present posting as Sergeant in the Court Liaison Office she continues to coach and mentor her staff and maintains excellent working relationships with BPS stakeholders and partners working in Bermuda’s Criminal Justice and Court systems.
In June 2021, Fiona will celebrate 30 years of service to the people of Bermuda. In addition to her policing duties, Fiona is an Executive Member of the Bermuda Bicycling Association and a social member of the Winners Edge Bicycle Club.
COVID-19 Regulations Reminder for Liquor Licenced Premises
Tue, 2021-02-23
Since the lifting of the curfew and extension of opening hours for bars and restaurants, the Bermuda Police Service (BPS), has already had to issue two 24-hour closure orders to liquor licensed establishments for failing to adhere to COVID-19 regulations as they relate to bars and nightclubs.
Martin Weekes the Assistant Commissioner of Police – Operations, said: “It is not our intention nor our desire to be closing businesses during these already difficult times. However, the government has issued regulations that must be adhered to in order to prevent the spread of the novel Corona Virus, COVID-19.
The BPS will continue to work with the owners and operators of bars, nightclubs and restaurants to gain compliance with the stated guidelines.
Black History Month Trailblazer: Inspector Emmerson Carrington
Fri, 2021-02-19
Today's Black History Month Trailblazer: Inspector Emmerson Carrington
Emmerson who was born in Barbados joined the Bermuda Police Service (BPS) in June 2003. He has held several key postings within the BPS, inclusive of a Training School Instructor, Traffic Collision Investigator and Firearms Incident Commander.
He was promoted to the rank of Inspector in January 2011. His present posting is the BPS Offender Risk Management Team Coordinator and he continues to works closely with our sister services and other helping agencies.
In addition to his policing duties, Emmerson is an avid sportsman and was the head of the BPS Bowling Team, the Blue Lanterns in the local bowling league. In 2013, he organized and led a team of BPS Athletes to the World Police and Fire Games, held in Belfast, Ireland, where they won several silver and bronze medals.
Since 2010, he has been a member of the Bermuda Cricket Board Umpires Association, and currently holds an Executive position of Assistant Secretary. He has officiated in International World Cup T20 Matches and since 2014, he has been the Senior Umpiring Official in Bermuda’s Annual Cup Match Classic.
Having become a cricket umpire, for the years 2014, 2017, 2018 and most recently in 2019, Emmerson was awarded the coveted title of BCB Cricket Umpire of the Year.
Black History Month Trailblazer: Former Inspector Edward "Bosun" Swainson
Thu, 2021-02-18
Today’s Black History Month Trailblazer: Former Inspector Edward “Bosun” Swainson
Inspector Edward R. “Bosun” Swainson made history when he scored the first century in Cup Match in 1937, and he went on to become a legendary police officer who was our first black officer to be promoted to the rank of Inspector.
Edward was born in Bermuda in 1901. As a young man he proved to be an outstanding all-round sportsman and was clearly an exceptional cricketer who joined St George’s C.C. at the age of 15, and by 1925 he was appointed captain of St. George‘s Cup Match team.
It is a little known fact that during the 1920’s Bermuda would regularly send teams of our best “coloured” cricketers to New York to compete against teams from the West Indies. After his brilliant performances during a 1927 tour, it was said of Bosun that he “… gave such an exhibition of masterly batting as evoked the plaudits of the most sophisticated critics, who acclaimed him when he first played in New York, as the finest batsman seen in New York since the Australians visited the country over 20 years ago.” High praise indeed!
“Bosun” or “Bo” as he became known, joined the Police Force in 1935, and quickly established his reputation as a resourceful and excellent police officer. Two years later he scored 122 runs to achieve the first century in Cup Match, and he almost repeated this feat the next year when he scored 99.
By 1945, “Bosun” had also proven his ability as a highly efficient investigator, and he was appointed as a Detective. Three years later, in May 1948 “Bosun” was promoted to Detective Sergeant, and less than 12 months later he made history when he was promoted to Detective Inspector becoming the first black Bermudian to reach the rank of Inspector.
Black History Month Trailblazer: Former Chief Superintendent Oliver Salsbury Winfield "Chief" Trott QPM CSM LSM
Wed, 2021-02-17
Today’s Black History Month Trailblazer: Former Chief Superintendent Oliver Salsbury Winfield "Chief" Trott QPM CSM LSM
Chief Superintendent Oliver “Chief” Trott was, without doubt one of the most popular and respected officers to ever serve in the Bermuda Police Force. Although his later years were spent as Chief Superintendent in Uniform, it is as a brilliant detective that he earned his richly deserved reputation. Oliver, was born in St. George’s on 24th July 1914, the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Trott. Their family home was the yellow cottage standing just behind Somers Gardens at the corner of Shinbone Alley.
We’re not sure what compelled Oliver to do so, but in 1939 at the age of 24, he made the decision to join the Bermuda Police Service, at a time when men of “colour” had great difficulty making progress through the ranks. Oliver spent his early years on the Force in uniform, first at Hamilton Police Station and then as Paget Parish Constable. He spent some time serving in Somerset, however, in 1952, he was transferred to CID which was clearly the turning point in his Police career. He excelled as a detective officer and spent most of the rest of his distinguished career in CID. His rapid progress through the ranks was a testament to his ability and dedication. He was promoted to Detective Sergeant in 1955, and just one year later, in 1956, he was promoted to Detective Inspector. That was an exceptionally quick promotion by any standard. Five years later, in 1961, he was promoted to Chief Inspector in charge of Central CID where he cemented his reputation as an outstanding detective. During his time in CID Oliver was involved in the investigation of many serious crimes, including the Warwick murders, and on several major cases he worked closely with Scotland Yard Detectives brought in from abroad to provide assistance.
In 1967, Oliver was promoted to Superintendent in uniform and became Bermuda’s first recruiting officer in charge of recruitment and training. Throughout most of the 1960s he interviewed literally hundreds of potential recruits and travelled to the U.K and to the West Indies to do so, as well as interviewing Bermudian applicants for the Police Force. Oliver was the first Chairman of the Bermuda Police Association and was instrumental in pushing for the intermingling of all police officers, regardless of race, in a social setting at the Police Recreation Club. He was an avid cricket fan and would often turn out to support the Police Force cricket team.
In 1968 Oliver was promoted to Chief Superintendent, a position he held until his retirement from the Force on January 29th, 1972, after a career spanning over 33 years. During his illustrious service Oliver received numerous letters of good work and Commissioner’s Commendations for his expertise in solving serious crimes and in 1962, he was awarded the Police Long Service Medal, the Colonial Police Medal for Meritorious Service in 1968, and in 1971, he was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal for his Distinguished Service.
Black History Month Trailblazer: Deputy Commandant Ron-Michel Eugene Davis
Tue, 2021-02-16
Today’s Black History Month Trailblazer: Deputy Commandant Ron-Michel Eugene Davis
Ron-Michel is a born Bermudian Officer and married to his wife Le'Shea. He has two sons ages 16 and 10 years old.
Ron-Michel joined the Bermuda Police Reserves in November 2001, and during his tenure has been posted to several key postings in the Bermuda Police Service. During his early years his leadership and strong work ethic was quite evident and resulted in him being identified as a future leader of the organization.
In June 2004, he was promoted to Reserve Sergeant and over the next ten years he continued to rise through the ranks. In March 2014, following a rigorous promotion process; he was promoted to his present rank of Deputy Commandant.
He has served for over 20 years and during his time, he has worked on several major investigation and has supported the Bermuda Police Service with achieving its priority goals and objectives.
Ron-Michel continues to coach, mentor and invest of his time to develop the officers under his charge. For his efforts he has been awarded several merit and appreciation awards and letters of good work.
Black History Month Trailblazer: Former Commissioner Frederick. C. B. "Penny" Bean
Mon, 2021-02-15
Today’s Black History Month Trailblazer: Former Commissioner Frederick C. B. “Penny” Bean
Commissioner Frederick C. B. “Penny” Bean, joined what was then the Bermuda Police Force in 1956 as a young constable, aged 19. He rose through the ranks to become our first black Bermudian Commissioner of Police in 1981, a position he held until his retirement on 23 March 1990.
During his 34 years of service, Commissioner Bean earned the Colonial Police Medal for Meritorious Service, awarded to him after the Chief Justice commended him for disarming an armed robber. He also earned the Colonial Police Long Service Medal and the Queen’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service. During his time in the senior leadership of the police, Mr. Bean forged closer ties to the United Kingdom, the United States of America and the Canadian National Police Services. He also established a joint Bermuda Police and HM Customs Drug Importation Squad.
Commissioner Bean created the “Police Community Relations” programme and the first Bermuda Police Fraud Squad. He also improved the living quarters for single officers and enhanced our internal communications, by acquiring a sophisticated, secure, multichannel police radio system and Emergency 911 system, held within the combined Operations Centre at Prospect. Upon retirement, Commissioner Bean was named to the Order of the British Empire.
At his retirement, Commissioner Bean is quoted as saying “I have enjoyed every moment of it. I have no regrets, and if I had a choice to do it all over again, I would not hesitate. I hope my tour of service will serve as an inspiration to other young Bermudians coming along.”
