Tenth Road Fatality of 2022: 24-Year-Old Romario Simons

Wed, 2022-12-14

The Bermuda Police Service (BPS) can now confirm the death of 24-year-old Romario Simons, Bermuda’s tenth road fatality of 2022, and extends sincere condolences to his family and friends.

Mr. Simons was seriously injured when the motorcycle he was riding collided with a sport utility vehicle (SUV) on Middle Road in Sandys parish, near the junction with Overplus Lane, around 6pm Tuesday, 13th December 2022.

Despite receiving treatment from EMTs at the scene and being rushed to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital via ambulance, where lifesaving efforts continued, Mr. Simons was later pronounced dead.

A BPS Family Liaison Officer is providing support to his loved ones and the Roads Policing Unit (RPU) is investigating the circumstances of this latest road fatality.

Any witnesses that have not already come forward, or members of the public with relevant information, are encouraged to contact Constable Jason Ming at the RPU office on 247-1788, directly on 717-0862 or via e-mail jming@bps.bm as soon as possible.

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63-Year-Old Woman Seriously Hurt After Motorcycle Crash in Pembroke [Updated]

Wed, 2022-12-14

Shortly before 7:00 a.m. today, Wednesday, December 14th, 2022, police received a report of a single vehicle collision involving a motorcycle at the junction of Pitts Bay Road and Rosemont Avenue, Pembroke.

It appears a 63-year-old female motorcycle rider collided with a feral chicken and came off the bike.

She was attended to at the scene by EMTs who transported her by ambulance to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital for further treatment for her injuries which are considered life threatening.

Traffic was diverted away from the area while the scene of the collision was processed by Traffic Collision Investigators along with Forensic Officers.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact Acting Sergeant Justin Hunt on the non-emergency reporting number, 211 or, via e-mail, jhunt@bps.bm.

Update: Thursday, 15th December - The sixty-three-year old woman involved in a serious road traffic collision yesterday, Wednesday, 14th December, 2022, is being moved to a general ward at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, having received treatment for her injuries which were considered life threatening.

She sustained a laceration to the head as well as injuries to her ribs and collarbone.

The single vehicle collision which involved a motorcycle, occurred shortly before 7:00 a.m. near the junction of Pitts Bay Road and Rosemont Avenue.

The investigation into this incident remains ongoing.

Any eyewitnesses or, persons with information is asked to contact Acting Police Sergeant, Justin Hunt on the main police number 295-0011, the non-emergency reporting number 211 or, via email, jhunt@bps.bm.

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Reported Serious Two Vehicle Collision in Sandys Parish [Updated]

Tue, 2022-12-13

Around 6:00pm Tuesday, 13th December 2022, Police and other first responders were dispatched to a two vehicle collision along Middle Road and the junction with Overplus Lane Sandys, involving a private car and a motorcycle.

Initial information suggests that the vehicles were traveling in opposite directions when the male motorcar driver was attempting to negotiate a right hand turn onto Overplus Lane, and the male motorcyclist was attempting to overtake another vehicle when the collision occurred.

The motorcyclist was conveyed to KEMH for treatment of injuries that have only been described as serious. The male motorcar driver received minor abrasions, that did not require medical attention.

Traffic is being diverted through the Railway Trail at Store Lane and Parsonage Lane, using a one way system.

The roads are expected to be closed for about two hours while the scene is being processed.

Witnesses to this collision are being asked to contact Constable Imani Scott on 211 or via e-mail - iscott@bps.bm.

Update: Wednesday, 14th December - Sadly, the island’s road fatality figure, now stands at 10.

A 24-year-old male passed away following a two vehicle collision involving a private car and a bike on Middle Road, near the junction with Overplus Lane, Sandys.

Initial information suggests the vehicles were traveling in opposite directions, when the male motorcar driver attempted a right hand turn onto Overplus Lane.

The male motorcyclist was attempting to overtake another vehicle when the collision occurred.

The motorcyclist was transported by ambulance to KEMH for treatment of his injuries.

Sadly, he did not survive.

Any witnesses or, anyone with information on this incident, is asked to contact Constable Imani Scott on the non-emergency reporting number, 211 or via email, iscott@bps.bm.

Update: Tenth road fatality of 2022: 24-year-old Romario Simons.

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Investigation Launched Into Circulation of Inappropriate Images

Mon, 2022-12-12

The Bermuda Police Service is aware of a number of inappropriate altered images of local residents, including minors, being circulated on social media.

The altered images show cropped head shots of individuals, pasted or photo-shopped onto images of different bodies, in various stages of undress.

A report has been made to the Bermuda Police Service and the matter is now under investigation.

We urge that should you receive these images, you immediately delete them from your device and do not forward them on, as sharing them is an offence under the Criminal Code Amendments ( Non-consensual sharing of intimate images) Act 2021.

The Act states: “A person who distributes an intimate image of another person—without the other person’s consent; and in a way that would cause the other person distress reasonably arising in all the circumstances, commits an offence.

A person convicted of an offence is liable on summary conviction to a term of imprisonment not exceeding three years; on conviction on indictment to a term of imprisonment not exceeding five years.”

Just think, how would you feel if it were, a relative, a loved one or, close friend of yours depicted in that manner?

Anyone with information on the sharing of these images is asked to call Acting Detective Inspector 709, Sharnita Tankard or Acting Detective Sergeant 2456, Ashun Wolffe on 247-1739 or, via e-mail stankard@bps.bm or awolffe@bps.bm.

You may also call the non-emergency reporting number 211, the main police number 295-0011 or, share the information with a police officer you know.

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Renewed Witness Appeal: Union Street Area Stabbing Incident

Mon, 2022-12-12

The Bermuda Police Service, (BPS), is once again appealing for members of the public to come forward with any information they may have on that stabbing incident which occurred shortly after 1:30 p.m. on Friday, 9th December, in the area of Union Street in the City of Hamilton.

You may remember the victim, a 25-year-old male suffered a stab wound to the shoulder area and was transferred to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital for treatment to his injuries.

Those injuries were not life-threatening and he has since been released from hospital.

There has been some concern that this incident may have been gang related.

We wish to assure the public that investigations into this matter have confirmed that it is not gang related.

A male suspect is being sought in connection with this stabbing.

He is described as being a white male, 5’ 6” tall, small build with brown hair.

He is known to frequent Queen Street in the City of Hamilton, and is often seen near Kentucky Fried Chicken.

Anyone with information on this matter is asked to contact Detective Constable Patrick Jones on 717-2170 or via e-mail, pjones@bps.bm.

You may also call the non-emergency reporting number 211, the main police number, 295-0011 or, speak with a police officer you know.

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Officer Recruitment Initiatives

Fri, 2022-12-09

The BPS is grateful to the Bermuda Government for providing additional funding for these officers as well as new vehicles.

The BPS currently has a strength of 375 officers.

This figure includes the 21 officers who passed out of Training School in June this year.

We are 45 officers below the new establishment level of 420.

We are at this number because of natural attrition, and the inability to recruit new officers during the two years of COVID-19.

Police Commissioner, Darrin Simons stated: “We are actively recruiting to fill thirty-four posts locally. You will be pleased to know that five of these new posts will be added to our community policing team. To that end, there is currently a local recruiting process underway, to attract new members to the Bermuda Police Service. We anticipate a Recruit Foundation Course starting within the next four months. Training of local officers at all ranks remains ongoing. In addition to the several training initiatives put on so far this year, on Monday, 14th November 2022, the BPS commenced a basic investigators training course at Police Headquarters in Prospect, Devonshire. The two-week course, being conducted by BPS Inspector Derrick Golding and BPS Constable Ronald Taylor, comprises 14 BPS officers as well as two HM customs officers.”

Continuous training, including working with associated law enforcement partners, is important and provides tangible benefits, as evidenced by the recent multi-million-dollar drug seizure involving our two agencies.

Commissioner Simons added: “Since 2008, 31 unsolved murders and 127 unsolved attempted murders remain open and under investigation. Our specialist investigators are overwhelmed, dealing with not only these matters, but also other cases involving drugs, fraud, child sexual abuse, as well as other significant acts of criminality. While we have a robust program to develop local investigators, on average, it takes more than seven years before an officer becomes occupationally and operationally competent to be tasked with complex specialist investigations. Demand has simply outstripped the capacity to develop local talent quickly enough.”

In that regard the BPS will be recruiting eight experienced detectives from the Caribbean and the United Kingdom, along with seven experienced accredited Authorised Firearms Officers (AFOs).

An injection of experienced detectives is required to successfully investigate the number of outstanding serious cases as well as provide a better environment to grow our local talent. Further, the aim is to reduce significant crime by arresting and convicting those responsible for these offences and most importantly, provide the much needed closure to our families whose loved ones have fallen victim to these crimes.

The Commissioner points out: “Currently there is an insufficient number of accredited Authorised Firearms Officers (AFOs). At the current staffing, there are notable operational and logistical challenges that daily need to be overcome to ensure the continuity of service. Sixty AFOs are required to effectively conduct operations and manage the rigorous training required to effectively deliver on one of the most dangerous areas of our service. While we continue to attract and train firearms officers locally, the reality is that there are not enough local officers applying and passing the course to meet our needs. An increase of seven trained firearms officers will alleviate the most critical shortages while we progress local enrolment.”

Advertisements for the eight experienced Investigators will be placed in both the UK and Caribbean countries. In contrast, advertisements for AFOs will only appear in the UK, as Bermuda’s firearms training and accreditation mirror the UK’s Authorised Professional Practice.

Mr. Simons ended: “The 15 overseas officers, will help the BPS address shortages while we focus on enrolling local recruits. I recognise there may be many different perspectives on this news and I hope the information shared provides context for the decision to hire overseas officers.”

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Appeal for Witnesses After Man Injured in Union Street Area Stabbing Incident [Updated]

Fri, 2022-12-09

Shortly after 1:30 p.m. today, Friday, 9th December, 2022, police received a report of a male in the area of Union Street in the City of Hamilton, with a stab wound to the upper body.

Officers responded and located the victim near the junction of Union and Dundonald streets bleeding from an apparent stab wound to the shoulder.

He was attended to at the scene by EMTs and transported by ambulance to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital for further treatment to his injuries, the extent of which remains unknown at this time.

Police are asking anyone with information or who may have witnessed this incident, to please call the non-emergency reporting number, 211 or, the main police number, 295-0011.

Update: Monday, 12th December - The Bermuda Police Service, (BPS), is once again appealing for members of the public to come forward with any information they may have on that stabbing incident which occurred shortly after 1:30 p.m. on Friday, 9th December, in the area of Union Street in the City of Hamilton.