On Saturday 5th June the Commissioner of Police attended a joint panel discussion at the Devonshire Seventh-day Adventist Church. The panel was invited as part of the church's summit on Community Violence. Panelists included: Deputy Premier Paula Cox, Rise Above Bermuda’s co-founder Dr. Lou Matthews, Honorary Jamaican Consul for Bermuda Mr. Winston Laylor, Mr. Ashfield Devent M.P., former Bermuda Reserve Police Commandant Mr. Eugene Vickers, the Head Boy and Head Girl of Bermuda Institute and the President of the Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Dr. Jeffery Brown.

The objective of the summit was to create a better understanding around the causes, nature and extent of the current problem of community violence. Panelists, along with audience members, were invited to examine existing approaches to the problems to determine their effectiveness, as well as to consider new ideas and new options. The backdrop of the summit was a bipartisan forum where "working together" was the theme and in which everyone was encouraged to bring solutions rather than problems.

Much was explored: ranging across such topics as social, economic, education, prevention, diversion, enforcement and rehabilitation. No agency was spared from examination including the Police, Customs, Government, schools, Corrections, communities, neighbourhoods and the responsibility of individual parents. Great emphasis was placed on the potential for the church to play a more active role in affected communities.

It is encouraging to note that the Bermuda Police Service received huge accolades during the summit. Members of the panel were joined by members of the audience in praising the recent efforts of the police in suppressing gang violence and investigating serious crimes. They were quick to acknowledge the increased and visibly effective policing initiatives, and the comfort taken as they saw more police officers walking the beat and engaging with the community. One man declared that he had been stopped recently by two motorcycle officers whom he found professional, yet friendly. He stated that he had never before had such a "pleasant experience with the police." It was generally felt by the audience that the recent Supreme Court conviction of Cervio Cox, several charges being laid for serious offences, numerous arrests and the new engagement of the Service with the community through high visibility, all clearly indicate that the Police Service has moved in the right direction.

The Commissioner wishes to express sincere appreciation for the hard work being done daily by our police officers, support staff, reserve police and police cadets who continue to work hard every day to help make Bermuda safer for everyone. The Devonshire Seventh-day Adventist summit gave us a clear signal that we are, indeed, making a difference.