The Passing Out Parade for Recruit Foundation Course (RFC) 83 took place 4pm Thursday, 18th July 2024 at Police Headquarters in Prospect, Devonshire.
12 Constables, consisting of seven women and five men were on parade, accompanied by the Bermuda Island Pipe Band under the command of Pipe Major Aidan Stones. They were led by the Parade Commander and Drill Instructor Acting Chief Inspector Derrick Golding.
The newest members of the Bermuda Police Service (BPS) are:
Constable 2600 Utsav Bansal
Constable 2602 Rachel Benedict
Constable 2603 Ashley Berkeley
Constable 2605 Chante James
Constable 2606 Amoy Johnson-Smith
Constable 2607 Tyler Kendall
Constable 2608 Holly Lavigne-Smith
Constable 2609 Logan Alexander
Constable 2610 Dragan Pavkovic
Constable 2611 Suraj Nair
Constable 2612 Tahirah Simmons
Constable 2613 Jah-Kintae Williams
Also of note:
Constable Tyler Kendall is the grandson of a long serving member of the Bermuda Police Service, retired Chief Inspector Roger Kendall.
Commissioner of Police Mr. Darrin Simons, on behalf of the men and women of the Bermuda Police Service, congratulated and welcomed the 12 new officers into the Bermuda Police Service family.
Dignitaries in attendance included: Her Excellency the Governor, Ms. Rena Lalgie and Minister of National Security, the Hon. Michael Weeks, JP, MP. Both spoke at Thursday’s ceremony.
Special guests in attendance included:
Deputy Opposition Leader & Shadow Minister of National Security - The Hon. Mr. Benjamin Smith JP, MP
Acting Permanent Secretary of National Security & Chief Fire Officer – Mr. Dana Lovell
Acting Commanding Officer of the Royal Bermuda Regiment - Major Larenzo Ratteray, ED
Honorary Colonel of The Royal Bermuda Regiment – Lt. Col. John David Gibbons O.B.E. (Mil), ED, JP
Collector of Customs - Ms. Cindy Pearman
Director of Public Prosecutions - Ms. Cindy Clarke, JP
Acting Assistant Commissioner of Corrections – Mr. Gladwin Simons
Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority - Mr. Jeffrey Elkinson
Deputy Commandant of the Bermuda Reserve Police – Mr. Shawn Russell
Mr. Michael Brangman – Centre Against Abuse
There were several awards presented during the ceremony. The awards and recipients were:
Athletic Awards - The Instructors Cup is an award that is given to the fastest male and female officer over the International 10 kilometre or 6 mile Flatts road running course.
The Instructors Cup was presented to Constable Jah-Kintae Williams for the fastest time of 56 minutes and 49 seconds in the female category.
The Instructors Cup was presented to Constable Tyler Kendall for the fastest time of 49 minutes and 22 seconds in the male category.
All Round Athlete & Physical Fitness Awards
Constable Jah-Kintae Williams (female).
Constable Tyler Kendall (male).
Deputy Commissioner’s Cup – This award is for the best effort on the course and the officer who has made the most significant progress.
Awarded to Constable Jah-Kintae Williams.
Charitable Presentation – It is a tradition of each Recruit Foundation Course to raise money in aid of a charity of their choice. All members of RFC 83 decided that the Centre Against Abuse would be the recipient of their charitable donation.
A cheque for $1,613.35 was presented to Centre Against Abuse representative Mr. Michael Brangman by Constable Holly Lavigne-Smith.
Academic Award – Awarded to Constable Tyler Kendall, who achieved an overall test average of 94% over 12 exams.
Commissioner’s Shield – Awarded to Blue Syndicate, led by Training Centre staff member Constable Ronald Taylor; consisting of Constable Chante James and Constable Tyler Kendall. The award was collected by Constable Tyler Kendall.
Baton of Honour Recipient: Constable Tyler Kendall – The Baton of Honour was presented by RFC 82 Baton of Honour recipient, Constable James Adams, to RFC 83 Constable Tyler Kendall, who was selected as the most distinguished student officer by the Training Centre staff.
Today, Friday, 19th July 2024, marks seven years since the murder of Jahcari Antoni Francis. At the time of his death, Jahcari was 20-years-old.
He was fatally shot around 10:40pm Wednesday, 19th July 2017, inside an Upland Street, Devonshire home. At that time, three other persons were inside the residence with Jahcari. Those individuals were fortunate to be uninjured.
Shortly after this callous killing, the Bermuda Police Service (BPS) made an appeal for any witnesses that lived in the area, who might have heard the gunshots and/or saw the shooter, who was on a motorcycle, to come forward.
Once again, as in previous years, we are renewing our appeal on the date of Jahcari’s murder.
The investigative team is still looking to speak with two persons. One of them drove by seconds before the shooting and saw a motorcycle parked at the driveway to the residence where this homicide occurred. The second person was standing at the gate of Upland Street and Middle Road, Devonshire. This is critical to certain lines of enquiry.
The investigation remains active and the BPS thanks the public for all assistance received so far.
This ongoing appeal for more assistance is to help confirm key information, so that we can bring closure to the family of Jahcari and ensure those responsible for his murder are brought to justice.
To provide any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, please make contact with the Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Jason Smith, on 717-0864 or jsmith2@bps.bm.
In addition, information can be provided through the BPS online community reporting portal, https://portal.police.bm/.
Alternatively, please call the independent and anonymous Crime Stoppers Bermuda hotline 800-8477, or submit confidential tips via their website, www.crimestoppers.bm.
A visitor received hospital treatment after the rental scooter she was riding collided with a section of wooden roadside railing around 11:10am Friday, 12th July 2024, along Middle Road in Southampton.
Apparently the single vehicle collision occurred near Tribe Road Number 3, in the vicinity of Five Star Island, as the rental cycle was being ridden in the eastbound lane.
It is understood that the 54-year-old visiting American woman involved sustained a broken arm, as well as abrasions about her body and was transported to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital via ambulance.
Traffic diversions were in place for approximately half an hour, immediately following this collision.
Inquiries continue and any witnesses are once again encouraged to call 211.
A Government van driver involved in a collision with two cars on Middle Road, near the junction with Longford Road in Warwick around 3pm Tuesday, 9th July 2024, was arrested on suspicion of impaired driving and later released from police custody, after he passed the alco-analyser test. The 64-year-old Sandys parish man was unhurt in the collision.
The driver of one of the cars involved, said to be a 59-year-old Southampton woman, is understood to have been transported to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital via ambulance for treatment of stiffness in her neck.
The driver of the other car involved, said to be a 66-year-old Smith’s parish man, is understood to have been treated at the scene for an abrasion to his knee by emergency medical technicians, while a passenger in the same vehicle was apparently not hurt.
It now appears that the Government van involved was being driven in the westbound lane of Middle Road and the two cars were being driven in the opposite direction along Middle Road, when the collision occurred.
All three vehicles were damaged, with some traffic delays in the area for approximately one and a half hours, immediately following this collision.
Inquiries continue and any witnesses that have not already come forward are encouraged to call 211.
Commissioner of Police Darrin Simons - "Today, there are 360 officers in the Bermuda Police Service, including the 14 student officers who are still in training. No record, as far back to 1979, shows staffing levels this low and certainly not with our current gang challenges. Officer numbers need to rise in order for the BPS to effectively respond to violent firearm crime.
Rest assured the women and men in the BPS remain committed to and focused on, their mission to make Bermuda safer.
The BPS continues to work with The Minister of National Security, and government as a whole, to ensure we are adequately resourced to meet our mandate.
To that end, with government’s approval, we are progressing both local and overseas recruitment. We are now engaged in the process of selecting recruits for our next training course. We anticipate starting this training course in November with 25 new officers.
Last year Government provided funding for the purchase of ten cars. It is anticipated our fleet will be further enhanced with the purchasing of an additional seven cars later this year, through funding provided by the government.
Our efforts will also be bolstered with the updated CCTV camera system, soon expected to be fully operational."
Sadly, the Bermuda Police Service (BPS) can now confirm the identities of two young men who died following a verified firearm incident in the Scaur Hill, Sandys parish area that was reported around 6:05am Wednesday, 10th July 2024, as 18-year-old Razi Garland (pictured below left) and 19-year-old Amon Robinson (pictured below right).
The BPS extends our sincere condolences to the families and friends of both young men.
Two BPS Family Liaison Officers are providing relevant assistance to the families of each deceased teen.
Their autopsies will be conducted in due course.
The investigation regarding this double-murder is ongoing and the BPS is grateful to those persons that have already come forward to assist with inquiries.
The Senior Investigating Officer (SIO), Detective Sergeant Anneka Donawa, is renewing the appeal for anyone with any information that can help establish what happened and who is responsible.
SIO Donawa can be reached by calling 717-2250, or by e-mail at adonawa@bps.bm.
Information can also be provided through the BPS online community reporting portal, https://portal.police.bm/.
Alternatively, anonymous tips can be sent via the independent and confidential Crime Stoppers Bermuda hotline 800-8477, or the Crime Stoppers Bermuda website, www.crimestoppers.bm.
Once again, the BPS urges members of our community directly or indirectly affected by Wednesday’s senseless killing, or any other recent violent incidents, to please reach out to any of the relevant helping agencies for specialist assistance, if necessary.
Update: Two suspects arrested in connection with Scaur Hill double murder.
Around 11:57 p.m. on Thursday, July 11th, 2024, police received a report of a single vehicle road traffic collision involving a motorcycle at Pepper Hall/Orange Hole Road, St. George’s.
It is understood a male motorcycle rider was travelling east, along Tommy Fox Road, near the junction with Pepper Hall Road, St. George’s, when he lost control of the vehicle and collided with what is believed to be a metal pole.
Officers arrived at the scene to find the victim receiving treatment from EMTs.
He was subsequently transported by ambulance to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital. At last check he remained in the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit receiving treatment for his injuries which are considered life threatening.
Meanwhile, shortly before 11:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 11th, 2024, Police attended a single vehicle road traffic collision involving a motorcycle near the junction of North Shore Road and Jennings Road, Smiths.
It was reported that two males on a motorcycle were travelling east on North Shore Road in Smiths, when the rider apparently lost control as he tried to negotiate a series of bends and collided with an embankment causing both males to be ejected from the vehicle and onto the roadway.
Upon arrival at the scene, officers found both males lying on the roadway. They were both attended to by EMTs before being transported by ambulance to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital for further treatment of their injuries which were not thought to be life threatening.
Both incidents are now under investigation and anyone with information is asked to call the Roads Policing Unit on, 247-1788 or, the main police number, 295-0011.
With profound sadness, the Bermuda Police Service (BPS) can now confirm the identities of the four individuals found deceased at a South Terrace, Pembroke home Sunday, 7th July 2024, as:
4-year-old Na-Vii Trimm-Parfitt;
9-year-old Drae-E Trimm-Parfitt;
39-year-old Nicole Parfitt;
40-year-old Ramon Trimm.
The BPS extends our sincere condolences to their families and friends.
Two BPS Family Liaison Officers are providing relevant assistance to the two families of the four deceased individuals.
Autopsies of each deceased will be conducted in due course.
The investigation regarding this tragic incident is ongoing and the BPS thanks those persons that have already cone forward to assist with inquiries.
However, the appeal continues for anyone with any information relating to this matter, even if it seems insignificant, to contact Detective Chief Inspector Derricka Burns on 717-0921 or dburns@bps.bm, as well as Detective Inspector Clifford Roberts on 717-0590 or croberts2@bps.bm.
Information can also be provided through the BPS online community reporting portal, https://portal.police.bm/.
The BPS urges members of our community directly or indirectly affected by this tragedy to reach out to relevant helping agencies for specialist assistance, if necessary.
Sadly, the Bermuda Police Service (BPS) can now confirm Bermuda’s third road fatality of 2024, 64-year-old Marvin Johnson, and extends sincere condolences to his family and friends.
As stated in the original witness appeal made by the BPS on Sunday, 14th April 2024, a 64-year-old male understood to have been a pedestrian at the time, was seriously injured sometime between 9:45pm and 10pm Friday, 12th April 2024, when a car travelling along Long Bay Lane Sandys, made a left hand turn onto Nursery Lane and collided with him.
The Sandys parish resident was admitted to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit, where he was later pronounced dead on Monday, 3rd June 2024.
A BPS Family Liaison Officer was then assigned to provide relevant support to Mr. Johnson’s family, which is ongoing.
This road fatality is currently being investigated by the Roads Policing Unit (RPU).
The BPS thanks those persons who have already assisted with inquiries and renews the appeal for any witnesses that have not already come forward, or anyone with relevant information, to contact RPU Constable Kevin Medeiros by calling 717-2402 or e-mailing kmedeiros@bps.bm.
Alternatively, members of the public are encouraged to share any information that they may have with a police officer they’re familiar with, or through the BPS online community reporting portal, https://portal.police.bm/.
Acting Superintendent Robert Cardwell - "The Bermuda Police Service (BPS), continues to deliver on the Operation Vega initiative. By design, increased traffic enforcement, which is the main thrust of Operation Vega, should lead to a reduction in the number of road traffic collisions.
Sadly, this is not the case currently, with between 4 and 6 collisions being reported daily.
In reality, human error plays a part in most vehicle collisions. Inattention, speeding and driving without due care and attention – all of these contributing factors are avoidable.
A vehicle collision can be devastating and even minor collisions can be costly.
The BPS expects adherence to the law when it comes to driving or riding. This includes complying with traffic signs and signals. Road safety must be taken seriously by all road users and we all must take responsibility for our driving behaviour.
To prevent a crash – slow down, always drive sober, do not drive when stressed or tired, put your phone away, wear your seatbelt and fasten your helmet.
Impaired driving numbers continue to be high.
Those who choose to engage in this dangerous and illegal practice put not only their lives, but also the lives of everyone else on the road at risk.
Without doubt, impaired driving increases the likelihood of a collision.
Changing the impaired driving culture in Bermuda requires all of us to take action. If you have been drinking, do not drive or ride.
In addition, we ask that you take a moment to reflect on your own driving behaviour – did you drive safely, did you adhere to all traffic signs and signals and was your speed appropriate?
The Bermuda Police Service remains steadfast in its mission to make Bermuda safer, including for everyone travelling on our roads.
However, we continue to emphasise that policing is only one factor in the overall topic of road safety."
Impaired Driving 1st and 2nd Quarter Combined:
2021 - 85
2022 - 95
2023 - 143
2024 - 105
Offence |
Q1 |
Q2 |
Impaired Driving |
39 |
66 |
Speeding |
574 |
349 |
Disqualified Driving |
17 |
20 |
Unlicensed Vehicle |
127 |
123 |
No Vehicle Insurance |
93 |
82 |
No Driver’s License |
122 |
104 |
Manner Of Driving |
1 |
3 |
Fail To Stop After Accident |
10 |
1 |
Fail To Stop For Police |
0 |
8 |
Cell Phone Offence |
25 |
16 |
Fraudulent Use Of Documents |
1 |
4 |
Helmet Offence |
16 |
11 |
Seatbelt Offence |
10 |
8 |
Defective Vehicle |
7 |
3 |
Disobey Traffic Sign |
97 |
81 |
Youth Licence Offence |
0 |
2 |
License Plate Offence |
2 |
3 |
Motorist Advice Notice |
273 |
216 |
Parking Offence |
311 |
639 |
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