At a 4:30pm Tuesday, April 23rd promotion ceremony attended by His Excellency the Governor Mr. George Fergusson, Minister of Public Safety the Hon. Michael Dunkley JP, MP, and the Commissioner of Police Mr. Michael DeSilva, four police Inspectors were promoted to Chief Inspector as numerous family, friends and colleagues looked on. [Click photo to enlarge. From left to right: Chief Inspector Steven Donnelly, Chief Inspector Calvin Smith, Chief Inspector Simon Groves & Chief Inspector Jerome Laws.]

Chief Inspector Calvin Smith – Chief Inspector Smith joined the BPS in 1984 having served with the Bermuda Regiment. He has worked in nearly every area of the Service; has an extensive investigative background in CID and the Serious Crime Unit, and has received ten Commissioner’s Commendations for his detective work. He served for five years as the Head of Special Branch and Government Security Officer until 2008. Chief Inspector Smith will take up a new posting as the Tasking Manager in the Intelligence Division.

Chief Inspector Simon Groves – Chief Inspector Groves joined the BPS in 1988 having served as a Cadet and a Constable with the Surrey Police in the UK. He has worked in many areas of the Service including uniform and administrative posts. He has an extensive background in Intelligence Operations and last year he received a Commissioner’s Award for his leadership in a number of high profile operations that led to the capture and conviction of several serious offenders. His most recent position was as the Head of Special Branch and Government Security Officer in the Intelligence Division. Chief Inspector Groves will remain in the Division as the Intelligence Manager.

Chief Inspector Steven Donnelly – Chief Inspector Donnelly joined the BPS in 1988 having served as a Cadet and a Constable with the Lincolnshire Police in the UK. He has worked predominantly in uniform posts including patrol and the Police Support Unit. He is the senior firearms instructor and officer safety trainer and he has an extensive training background. Last year, Chief Inspector Donnelly received a Commissioner’s Award for developing the current BPS firearms training programme which has received an international accreditation of excellence. Chief Inspector Donnelly will take up a new positing as the Central Area Commander and the officer in charge of the Hamilton Police Station.

Chief Inspector Jerome Laws – Chief Inspector Laws joined the BPS in 1986 as a Police Cadet. He has worked in several areas of the Service, most notably in the CID and Serious Crime Unit where he has been awarded seven Commissioner’s Commendations for detective work. Most recently, Chief Inspector Laws served as the officer in charge of the Community Action Teams where he has undertaken significant community work and helped to revitalise the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme. Chief Inspector Laws will take up a new posting as the Western Area Commander and the officer in charge of the Somerset Police Station.

On behalf of the senior officers, all ranks and staff of the Bermuda Police Service, the Commissioner offered sincere congratulations and best wishes to the four new Chief Inspectors at the ceremony on Tuesday.