“Planking” Advisory

Monday, July 11,2011

The Commissioner sent a personal email today to each member of the Bermuda Police Service. He expressed disappointment of having been shown photographs this weekend of police officers in uniform in staged, uncomplimentary poses. He acknowledged that similar photographs of members of the public are appearing on social networks such as Facebook, but stated that the practice has no place in the Bermuda Police Service. The Police Code of Conduct requires members to conduct themselves at all times in a professional manner and with professional decorum. The Commissioner has instructed that enquiries are made and the officers involved are held accountable for their actions.

Sudden Death of Bilal Furqan

Wednesday, July 06,2011

The Bermuda Police Service can now confirm the death of 41 year old Bilal Furqan who died as a result of a cliff jumping incident that took place at Admiralty House Park. The circumstances are that first responders attended an incident that took place at Admiralty House Park beach area at 5:37pm on Saturday, July 2nd. It appears that Mr. Furqan was jumping off the rocks into the water when he was knocked unconscious. As a result he was pulled to the beach by family members and members of the public. An off duty EMT and nurse began to perform CPR and they managed to get Mr. Furqan breathing, however he remained unconscious. The pair continued CPR until the paramedics arrived.

Attempted Murder Investigation: Serious Crime Unit Witness Appeal

Tuesday, July 05,2011

The Bermuda Police Service is continuing its investigations into a shooting which occurred on Court Street, Pembroke at about 11:28pm on Monday 4th July, 2011. In this incident, a 26 year old female and 23 year old male - both from Devonshire, received injuries. The female victim’s injuries required surgery and she is recuperating in the Intensive Care Unit at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital. The male victim’s injuries were more superficial in nature.

Sudden Death

Tuesday, July 05,2011

At 5:20 pm on Friday 1st July police & ambulance staff responded to a 911 call from an elderly woman who reported that she needed medical assistance. Dispatchers ascertained that the woman was somewhere near 'Horizons' in Paget, but they could not determine her name or address before the call terminated. They were unable to re-contact the caller or trace the telephone number.

Shooting on Court Street

Tuesday, July 05,2011

Police responded to a report of a confirmed firearm incident that took place at 11:28pm on Monday on Court Street in Pembroke outside of Swinging Doors.It appears that men traveling on a motorcycle shot at a group of individuals congregated outside of Swinging Doors, resulting in a 26 year old woman being shot. She has been conveyed to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital where she is being treated for her injuries which are not believed to be life threatening.

Police Seize Cannabis Plants

Monday, July 04,2011

At 2:25pm on Monday, police attended the Smiths Hill Drive, St. George’s area after a report of cannabis cultivation. Officers made a large seizure of what are believed to be cannabis plants from a wooded area as a result. No arrests were made at the scene. Inquiries into this matter are ongoing.

Online Second Hand Motorcycle Purchasing Advisory

Monday, July 04,2011

The Bermuda Police Service is warning the public about the recent increase in motorcycle thefts throughout the island, particularly of the Honda 125cc Scoopy. Since May 2011, 45 bikes have been stolen. 30 of them were the Honda 125cc Scoopy. These bikes are being stolen from locations across the Island, but areas in Pembroke are being heavily targeted. These areas include Front Street, Happy Valley and areas surrounding the BIU building.

Man Injured After Diving Incident

Saturday, July 02,2011

First responders attended an incident at Admiralty House in Pembroke this evening. As a result, a 41 year old male was taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, after an apparent diving incident. The 41 year old man's condition is unknown at this time.

Marine Police Rescue Two From Sunken Boat

Monday, June 27,2011

At 2:20pm on Monday, police received a 911 call regarding a sinking boat. Bermuda Radio was immediately alerted and sent out a message to all area vessels to assist. The Police Marine Unit was also immediately dispatched to the scene. It appears that a 44 year old man and a 42 year old woman were in the 13’ vessel fishing approximately a mile off the oil docks in St. George's when the boat began taking on water. The boaters donned life vests and were in contact with the 911 dispatcher until police vessel ‘Heron 2’ arrived, rescuing them from on top of the submerged vessel.

Court Appearance for Theft of Unmarked Police Car

Thursday, June 23,2011

Kenneth Steede was remanded in custody this morning at Magistrate’s Court after he was charged with Aggravated Taking of a Vehicle Without the Owner’s Consent (TWOC). Steede took an unmarked police car from Police Headquarters in Prospect around 1:25am on Saturday, 18th June. He abandoned the vehicle shortly after but not before colliding with a parked car in the Prospect area. Steede is 45 years old and resides in Pembroke parish. He was not required to enter a plea as the matter is triable on indictment. Steede will return to Court on 14th July. The police can report that the damages caused to the private car and the police car are of a minor nature.

Scam Advisory

Thursday, June 23,2011

Once again the Bermuda Police Service would like to remind members of the public to remain vigilant regarding phishing e-mails and other scams that attempt to obtain personal information or other sensitive data. Please be aware that banks or other legitimate financial institutions will never ask you for personal account information such as your password. In addition, residents should ignore ‘official looking’ e-mails claiming to be from any local bank regarding their ‘security information.’

Commissioner & Former Senior Police Officers Honoured

Monday, June 13,2011

Commissioner of Police Michael DeSilva [photo] has been awarded the Colonial Police Medal (CPM) for Meritorious Service in the 2011 Queen’s Birthday Honours. Commissioner DeSilva, a Bermudian, joined the Bermuda Police Service as a Police Cadet in 1985 and worked his way through the ranks to become Commissioner of the Bermuda Police Service on Wednesday, December 16th 2009.

No Intent To Import Ammunition

Saturday, June 11,2011

About 8:45am today two U.S. citizens travelling together on a visiting ship were arrested at the cruise ship terminal in Dockyard after they were found to be carrying 40 rounds of 9mm ammunition. A 26 year old man and his 29 year old female companion were searched by ship's security officers as they returned aboard the ship when the ammunition was found in the man's bag, and the police were called.

Sudden Death

Wednesday, June 08,2011

Police have commenced an investigation into the death of an American woman who was visiting the island as a cruise ship passenger. It appears that around 12 noon on Tuesday, June 7th 52 year old Donna Zapata was in the Mangrove Bay area ‘helmet diving’ with family members when she got into difficulty. EMTs performed CPR as the victim was rushed to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital via ambulance; however they were unable to revive her. She was subsequently pronounced dead at 1pm on Tuesday by an on call physician at the hospital. An autopsy will be performed on the deceased during the course of this week.

Proactive Policing: Firearm, Ammunition & Drugs Recovered

Monday, June 06,2011

On Sunday afternoon, 5th June, police officers were conducting proactive patrols in the east end especially in the area of Mullet Bay and Wellington Slip Roads. Their attention was drawn to a group of men who were acting suspiciously and a search revealed a quantity of controlled drugs for which the men were arrested. A further search revealed a firearm and ammunition concealed nearby. The men were arrested in connection with the firearm and further enquiries and searches have resulted in the arrests of two other men. All four remain in custody as of today.

Three Men Arrested On Suspicion of Drug Importation

Thursday, June 02,2011

Around 4:00p.m. on Wednesday 1st June, 2011 a combined H.M. Customs and Bermuda Police Service team arrested three men in the Shelly Bay, Hamilton Parish area for offences relating to the importation of a significant quantity of controlled drugs. The arrests were the result of a prolonged investigative effort with partner agencies in the United States. At the time of the arrests, a number of evidential items were seized, including a substantial sum of cash.

Advisory: Counterfeit Cashier’s Cheques & Travellers’ Cheques

Thursday, June 02,2011

The Bermuda Police Service Financial Crime Unit has noticed an increase in counterfeit cashier’s cheques and travellers’ cheques locally. The typical fake cashier’s cheque appears to be mailed from the U.K. and claims to be worth $2,750. [Example shown here]. The typical fake travellers’ cheque appears to be from American Express and claims to be worth U.S. $500. [Example shown here].

Man Arrested on Suspicion of Sexual Assault

Saturday, May 28,2011

The Bermuda Police Service can now confirm that at 8.25am today, Saturday May 28th 2011 a female reported that while jogging in the area of Paynters Road and Harrington Sound Road in Hamilton Parish she was accosted by a man on a motorcycle. A struggle ensued but she was able to escape and continued jogging east along Harrington Sound Road. On reaching the area near the Walsingham Lane and Harrington Sound Road a short time later, the same male accosted the female jogger again; however this time she received assistance from a passing motorist. The suspect escaped, but a full description of him and the motorcycle he was riding was circulated to all police patrols.

Police Shoot Dog Set Upon Animal Warden

Friday, May 27,2011

Acting Chief Inspector Calvin Smith - Around 12.30pm today, Friday May 27, 2011 police officers and Government Animal Wardens attended a report of dog cruelty in the area of Court and Elliot Streets, Pembroke. The owner of the dog was located but a confrontation and a foot chase quickly ensued. The dog was set upon the warden who was attacked violently and a passerby was also attacked in the process.

Police Sergeant Wins Bermuda Day Cycle Race!

Wednesday, May 25,2011

Sergeant Darren Glasford won what was arguably one of the closest Sinclair Packwood Memorial Race events in recent history today! Representing Winner's Edge in the adult male category, Sergeant Glasford crossed the finish line in 26 minutes, 37.3 seconds followed by Damian Sharp (Fast Forward Freight Bicycle Works) in 26 minutes, 37.8 seconds. Rounding out the top men was Wayne Scott (Winner's Edge) in 26 minutes, 37.9 seconds. Junior male cateogry winner Dominque Mayho (Madison) actually finished second overall in a time of 26 minutes, 37.6 seconds.