Wed, 2008-08-06

On Saturday 5th January 2008 an American registered yacht was intercepted by US Coast Guard in the waters off The Bahamas. There were two males on board the vessel at the time, a US citizen who was the owner of the yacht and a 35 year old Bermudian Norman O’Donnell Rayner of Pembroke. A search of the yacht uncovered a shipment of cannabis weighing approximately one ton (one thousand kilogrammes). They were arrested and handed over to the FBI Drug Unit in Miami, Florida who conducted a full investigation with the assistance of HM Customs Bermuda and the Bermuda Police Service. The investigation revealed that the cannabis was loaded onto the yacht in Jamaica and was headed to Bermuda where the drugs were to be offloaded.

Rayner entered a guilty plea in this case at a Miami Court on Friday 1st August 2008. He was sentenced to 7 years imprisonment.

The cannabis seized in this case could have yielded over $40 million if sold on the streets of Bermuda.

It is with deep regret that I find myself compelled to respond to the ongoing unanswered assertions and challenges made publicly by the Auditor General Mr. Larry Dennis, against myself the Commissioner of Police and the Bermuda Police Service generally. These comments surround the media release of information from confidential Police files, relating to the BHC investigation, that are believed to have been stolen and Mr. Dennis’s subsequent arrest and interview.

When it became known that the Auditor General claimed to have possession of the documents every effort was made by the Commissioner of Police to obtain consensual cooperation from the Auditor General to that investigation. Mr. Dennis refused and as a result the normal procedures for conducting a criminal investigation were followed. That protracted investigation continues, is being led by experienced officers from the BPS, overseen by the Assistant Commissioner of Police Mr. Bryan Bell, and has been reviewed by officers from Kent Police UK.

As that matter has not concluded and may lead to criminal charges I am unable to expand on the details at this time.

Much has been made in the press of the legal action I took in an attempt to prevent wider publication of those documents. I believe strongly that such release condones the actions of those responsible for the theft of the documents, undermines the confidence the public have in their Police Service and if unchecked is unfair to the parties involved.

I totally refute claims that any of my actions have been politically motivated. As Commissioner of Police I work closely with senior colleagues across Government and throughout Bermuda, including the Auditor General. Let me state categorically neither I nor any of my officers are under any political influence in the conduct of investigations.

In serving Bermuda my aim remains to ensure fairness to all, to uphold the law and to provide a safe and secure environment for all.

George L. Jackson

Commissioner of Police

Mr. Allan Palmer - 'Crushing Fools' Blog Site

The Bermuda Police Service would like to take this opportunity to address several allegations made in Mr. Allan Palmer’s internet blog ‘Crushing Fools.’

Firstly, it should be noted that Mr. Palmer has been the subject of a number of disciplinary matters here in Bermuda, regarding his conduct while a member of the Bermuda Police Service. These matters are conducted under the direction of the Deputy Commissioner.

In his blogs, Mr. Palmer has continually misrepresented information and expressed personal views that are inappropriate for a member of the Bermuda Police Service. The allegations in his recent blog are of such a malicious nature that the public need to be assured of their untruthfulness.

Mr. Palmer claims that the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Dr. the Hon. Ralph Gonsalves, Bermuda’s Commissioner of Police Mr. George Jackson and one of his Superintendents, Mr. Randolph Liverpool are all conspiring against him after he wrote an article critical of Dr. Gonsalves following sexual assault allegations made against the Prime Minister. This could not be further from the truth. Any suggestion of collusion or conspiracy is a complete fabrication. The Commissioner of Police for St. Vincent and the Grenadines has written formally to the Commissioner of Police Mr. George Jackson complaining of the conduct of Mr. Palmer; these matters relate to internal discipline and are again under the direction of the Deputy Commissioner.

Likewise, allegations by Mr. Palmer that his phones were tapped, listening devices were placed inside his room, that he was followed 24 hours a day for 3 months and that a female ‘honey trap’ was set against him are preposterous and totally false.

Although the Police Service does not normally make comment on personnel matters, the very public manner in which PC Allen Palmer has conducted himself necessitates a public response.

Despite the public statement that he had resigned, PC Palmer remained a member of the Bermuda Police Service and subject to service discipline.

Yesterday under powers vested in him by the Police Act the Commissioner of Police has dismissed PC Palmer from the Bermuda Police Service.

• More Press Releases Here