Fri, 2021-02-26

Today's Black History Month Trailblazer: Acting Detective Inspector Dorian Astwood

Dorian is a Bermudian officer who began his career with the Bermuda Police Service (BPS) in January 1993. He has been selected and posted in several key positions; in addition to having successfully completed numerous specialized training courses locally and overseas.

Dorian was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in October 2003, and is presently Acting Inspector, OIC Special Branch and Government Security Officer. He is a Police Vehicles Driving Instructor, Close Protection Officer, Tactical Firearms Commander and Firearms Tactical Advisor having served 19 years as a member and Team Leader in the Firearms Emergency Response Team. 

During the span of his career, Dorian has been the recipient of 4 Commissioner Commendations, 5 Team Merit Awards and in 2019 he was recognised by the Department of Public Prosecution for Outstanding Service.

He maintains a healthy lifestyle and fitness regime and in his off time can often be found working out in the gym; and either cycling or walking with his wife Shannell.

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Fri, 2021-02-26

Today’s Black History Month Trailblazer: Commandant Sandra Cortina Beach

On Thursday, 8 October, 2015, Sandra Cortina Beach, broke the glass ceiling when she became the first female to be appointed as Commandant of the Bermuda Police Reserves.

Commandant Beach a graduate of the Whitney Institute School, joined the Bermuda Reserve Police July, 1995, and immediately her leadership qualities were exposed and in April 1998, she was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. She continued to work hard to rise up the ranks and was promoted to Reserve Inspector in September of the following year. Her efforts and strong work ethic did not end there and was again she was promoted to Chief Inspector in April, 2001.

During the month of May that year, as a Chief Inspector, Ms. Beach was exposed to operating in a strategic leadership role as she oversaw the running of the entire organization owing to the absence of the Commandant, Deputy Commandant and Superintendent. In addition, she worked in all divisions of the Service and was promoted to Superintendent in September, 2004.

Commandant Beach is known for organizing skills and performing leadership roles on behalf of the Bermuda Police Service, in many of the community events; including, the Annual Girl Guides Thinking Day Service, Harbour Nights Policing Plans and the Annual Christmas Parade, held in the City of Hamilton. She has received overseas training and attended several conferences and courses in Barbados, Canada, London, Bahamas and the United Kingdom.

For her service she has been awarded the Queen’s Jubilee Medal in 2002, the Colonial Police Long Service Award, in October 2010, for 15 years of service, and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012 and the Colonial Police Long Service Award in October 2020, for 25 years of service. She is presently leading on the 70th anniversary celebration plans for the Reserves in July of this year.

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Thu, 2021-02-25

Today's Black History Month Trailblazer: Ms. Carole Royer

In 1959, Ms. Carole Royer, became the first black female and the first civilian to work in an administrative position for the Bermuda Police Force.

Commissioner Henderson was in charge of the Police Force when she joined the Force and by the time she retired forty years later, in March 1999, she had served under the administration of seven Police Commissioners.

On her retirement Carole was honoured with the Queen’s Certificate and Badge of Honour for her Long Service to the Police, and a gold award and plaque from Commissioner Colin Coxall for her outstanding contribution to the Bermuda Police.

Carole continues her relationship with her friends and former colleagues of the BPS by attending social events or via telephone calls. Carole paved the way and trained many of the females and male officers alike and was instrumental in creating the systems that are used today.

Thank you Carole for your many contributions, service and dedication to the Bermuda Police Service and the people Bermuda.

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Thu, 2021-02-25

Today's Black History Month Trailblazer: Mrs. Deborah Binns-Robinson

Mrs. Binns-Robinson joined Government on 14th November 1977, working at the Department of Tourism and later the Registrar of Companies. In December 1983, she joined the Bermuda Police Service, Police Headquarters, Prospect, as an Administrative Assistant with Special Branch/Intelligence until 2012.

Mrs. Binns-Robinson has been employed with Government and the BPS for over 43 years. She continues to perform her duties as the Administrative Assistant for the Superintendent in charge at Hamilton Police Station; making her one of the longest serving members in the history of the service, having served under the administration of nine Police Commissioners.

Her other connection to the BPS is with her sibling Christopher who also works for the BPS. Deborah is married to Russell and has two sons Antoine and Russell Jr. In addition to her work commitments, Mrs. Binns-Robinson enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends and is an active member of the Seventh day Adventist Church.

Deborah, we take this time to salute you for your contribution to public service and to your significant achievements within the Bermuda Police Service.

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Thu, 2021-02-25

Today’s Black History Month Trailblazer: Sergeant Michael “Terry” Thomas

Sergeant Thomas is a Bermudian who joined the Bermuda Police Service (BPS) as a Cadet in August 1986. During his tenure he has served in several key post within the BPS and is arguably the most trained officer in the service.

In March 2007, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and his policing role includes; Police Motor Car and Cycle Driving Instructor, BPS Chief Firearms Instructor and Service Armourer, Emergency Response Team (ERT) Member as well as the Coordinator, Officer Safety Instructor, Public Order Instructor, Incident Commander and Trainer.

He remains active within the organisation in his efforts to maintain morale as a member of the annual Police Week Committee responsible for the fun day/sports day and police gymkhana.

In addition to his policing duties, Terry is an avid sportsman and has represented various sports clubs including Young Men’s Social Club,  Nationals Sports Club, Devonshire Recreation Club, North Village Community Club, St George's Stallions and the BPS in cricket and football, both locally and internationally. He is also an active member of cycling club Winners Edge and has participated in several of the Annual Heritage Day Sinclair Packwood Memorial Cycle Race.

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Wed, 2021-02-24

Around 4:00 p.m. today, Wednesday 24th February, 2020, police responded to a report of a stabbing incident at the bus terminal in the City of Hamilton.

Upon arrival officers were informed the victim a sixteen-year-old male had suffered a stab wound to the chest and left on a motorcycle headed to King Edward Hospital, where at last check, he was undergoing emergency surgery.

His injuries which were described as life threatening.

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Wed, 2021-02-24

Today's Black History Month Trailblazer: Former Inspector Jean Vickers (nee Mattis)

Jean Vickers (nee Mattis) made history as our first Bermudian female police officer when she was recruited by then Commissioner George Robins who made the decision to recruit women into the Bermuda Police in the early 1960s. Jean joined the BPS in January 1962, attending our first 3 month Basic Training Course #1 along with two other females, Betty Osborne and Gwendolyn DeGrilla.

These three were posted to the newly formed Policewomen’s Department then headed by Inspector Isobel Lee who had been hired from the UK to set up the Department. Initially, our female officers dealt with such matters as offences against women including rape, indecent assaults and domestic violence, the ill-treatment of children, and handling female prisoners when arrested, but they soon began dealing with a wider variety of police work.  Jean excelled in the job and was soon awarded a Commissioner's Commendation for investigating a forgery case in 1964, and a second Commendation in 1966 in connection with a drugs case.

In 1968 Jean was promoted to Sergeant and second-in-charge of the Police Women’s Department, and in 1977, when W/Inspector Lee retired, Jean was promoted to Inspector-in-charge of the Department. Having earned the distinction of becoming the first Bermudian Female to be promoted to the rank of Police Inspector.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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