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.

In the meantime Mr. DeSilva said, “We should all be encouraged that our hard work in the community is being reflected in a rise in the latest polls on community confidence with the police. This is a teachable moment for our organization to reinforce the lesson that one bad interaction with the public can undo the work being done to win their support.” He then encouraged all officers “to continue to represent the Bermuda Police Service, your families and yourselves with professionalism and respect. The public deserve nothing less.”

The Bermuda Police Service considers the new phenomenon of “planking” as an unwise and irresponsible activity. “We discourage the practice, especially with Government and privately owned property. We caution the public that they can be held criminally liable for any damage caused to property that isn’t theirs.”