Bermuda Police To Assist In Montserrat
[Updated] Following allegations of police misconduct, police officers from Bermuda and the Cayman Islands will travel to Montserrat next week to assist The Royal Montserrat Police Service with the investigation.
The Bermuda officers are assisting under a co-operation agreement on reciprocal law enforcement assistance between the Caribbean Overseas Territories.
A statement issued by the Montserrat Government said their local police have been conducting an internal investigation into allegations of police misconduct during and following the arrests of two men in December 2011.
“As a result of the investigation, one officer has been suspended from duty and another is on compulsory leave pending further investigation,” said the statement.
“The Governor has decided that in addition to the very comprehensive internal investigation undertaken to date, he should activate the provisions of a co-operation agreement on reciprocal law enforcement assistance between the Caribbean Overseas Territories.
“This will enable law enforcement officers from the Bermuda and Cayman police services to come to Montserrat to assist in the on-going investigation under the command and direction of Deputy Commissioner Paul Morris and present their findings to the Director of Public Prosecutions through the Governor. The police officers should begin their work early next week,” concluded the statement.
Governor Sir Richard Gozney said, “The Governor of Montserrat asked me if the Bermuda Police could spare two officers for a short attachment to the Montserrat Police Force to help them investigate accusations made against members of their own Force. I understand that the Cayman Police have also been asked to help.
“We are all conscious of the pressures on the Bermuda Police Service and of the need for Bermuda Police Service to remain closely focused on the issues to hand here on the Island. But equally we are conscious of the need to be sympathetic when we can to requests from British Overseas Territories in the Caribbean, particularly the smaller ones.
“So, after consulting the Commissioner of Police in advance of a formal request arriving from the Governor of Montserrat and after consulting him again when the request arrived, I authorized the attachment. I understand that the Cayman Islands have also, generously, agreed to help,” concluded Sir Richard.
One of the smallest Overseas Territories, Montserrat has a population of approximately 5,200 people.
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Our Bermuda police force is already stretched…..yet we have the manpower to send officers to assist? I am all for helping thy neighbour but this time it does not seem like we have the manpower to lend. Just my observation.
the flip side is that there are two less policemen who are more focused on chasing after people talking on their cell phones while driving…
That already has been taken into consideration. I think international experience for the two officers is a greater benefit than the time they will not be in Bermuda serving.
That experience ain’t gonna to do no justice here! This is Bermuda “Another World”
Obviously you are NOT all for helping your neighbor. Glad you do not live next to me!
How about sorting out the mess on the Police Force HERE first….after all “Charity begins at Home…”
I Totally Agree!!!
AGREED!
LOL! This made my day
How about reciprocating that and sending some assistance here to deal with all the lawbreakers shooting each other every weekend?
How can something like this even be considered? We have the WORST police force in the world. They can’t even deal with the problems we face. Stop the shooting here before you try and sort out someone else’s mess. But on the other side, if they are going there to ticket people for using their cell phones, then they’ll be a smashing success.
Tell that to the brothers, not me. The POlice are doing a fantastic job.
They are on top of it.
Send them anywhere. When the brothers stop shooting each other then we can have some sense of norm.
Otherwise, get off your blackberry, drive on the left and if you see something wrong, call the Police. They are always there and if not, they are chasing the fools or executing warrants on the ones you know are doing it.
Vote PLP. They will take care of you.
We do NOT have the worst police force in the world. Obviously you have never lived in other countries.
wow hope your house dont get broken into…then who do you call…PLP??? they will try and help @$$
Are they going to assist in protecting the reputations of the officers who are being investigated? That’s about all they do here.