Policing in Bermuda remains a partnership. Government House retains overall operational control but the Government of Bermuda is responsible (under delegated authority from the Governor) for police numbers, recruitment, training and equipment. The Commissioner of Police controls day to day policing operations within the resources available. The Bermuda Police Service is committed to serving the entire community in Bermuda equally. We take our responsibilities seriously and seek no political gain.

Periodically there are constructive meetings between the Commissioner of Police, Government Ministers and Government House to discuss community concerns and any challenging new trends in crime. Such meetings are also an opportunity for the Bermuda Police Service to explain how we propose to meet new challenges and allay any concerns within the community.

We have canvassed the community on policing needs and in response to the views expressed we have recently re-aligned our resources to place more emphasis on community policing. This has created an increase in patrol officers in several areas through the introduction of Community Action Teams and the Roads Policing Unit. These measures, plus a new shift system with staggered shift starts, have been in place for the past 3 months. We are pleased to report that as a result of these changes we have received a number of positive comments on improved police response times and greater visibility of police patrols.

For example, under our re-structuring, there are now an additional 6 officers posted to the Eastern Command Area of the Community Policing Division which covers the St. George’s area. We now have Community Action Teams throughout the Island that focus on building productive partnerships and working with communities to address problematic neighbourhoods. With support from the community and our external partners, we can make Bermuda a safer and better place for all to enjoy.

The Bermuda Police Service is appealing for witnesses to a reported attempted sexual assault that took place on Saturday night in St. George’s. It appears that the victim, a 43 year old Smith’s parish woman, was assaulted by an unknown man in an alleyway off Queen Street near the Bermuda Perfumery, but managed to fight off her attacker. In particular, we are appealing for the driver and passenger of a 4 door car that stopped in the area around the time of the assault, after being flagged down by the victim; as well as anyone who may have seen a man and woman arguing or fighting near the junction of Queen Street & York Street. Inquiries into this incident are ongoing. Any witnesses to this incident or anyone with any information are encouraged to contact the St. George’s Criminal Investigation Unit on 293-2222.

Around 12:35am on Sunday, August 5, Police received a report of an assault involving a bladed article at Shelly Bay Park, North Shore Road, Hamilton parish. It appears that sometime earlier the victim, a 19 year old Hamilton parish man, was attacked by a group of men. The suspects then made good their escape on auxiliary cycles traveling towards the City of Hamilton . The Hamilton parish man was taken to KEMH via ambulance for treatment of lacerations to his right arm and back. Inquiries into this incident are ongoing. Police are encouraging any witnesses to this incident or anyone with any information to contact the St. George’s Criminal Investigation Unit on 293-2222.

At 10:50pm on Sunday, August 5 Police received a report of an assault at Clearwater Beach, St. George’s. It appears that as a 22 year old St. George’s man was leaving the area, a group of men attacked him brandishing bladed articles. As a result, the St. George’s man sustained a laceration to his head. He was treated at KEMH for his injury and subsequently released. Inquiries into this incident are ongoing. Police are encouraging any witnesses to this incident or anyone with any information to contact the St. George’s Criminal Investigation Unit on 293-2222.

In addition, Police are appealing for witnesses to an incident that occurred on Sunday, August 5 between 3pm and 4pm at Clearwater Beach, St. George’s. It appears that there was an altercation between a group of young men (who were either camping or visiting campers) and a man in a car. The group of young men were apparently chasing behind the car and throwing helmets at it. The suspects were wearing white t-shirts and shorts. Police are encouraging any witnesses to this incident or anyone with any information to contact PC Shawnta Edmonson at 278-5116 or the St. George’s Criminal Investigation Unit on 293-2222.