BPS Honour First Bermudian Woman Officer
The Bermuda Police Service celebrated a special part of its history, honouring 92-year-old Jean Vickers, the first Bermudian woman to join the organisation, at the Police Week Seniors’ Tea at the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club.
Commissioner of Police Darrin Simons and Deputy Commissioner Na’imah Astwood presented Ms Vickers with flowers in recognition of her service and the path she helped create for generations of female officers.
Ms Vickers, now 92, joined the police force in 1962. Fifteen years later, she was promoted to Inspector and became officer-in-charge of the policewomen’s department.
A police spokesperson said, “Her contribution extended well beyond her policing duties. She helped introduce the Juvenile Liaison Scheme, which addressed juvenile crime and is no longer in operation. She also founded the Black Stockings, a charity made up of female police officers and traffic wardens that supported senior citizens and young people.
“In recognition of her service, Ms Vickers received the Colonial Police Medal for Meritorious Service in 1984 and the Colonial Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in 1987, the year she retired.
“Deputy Commissioner Astwood noted that when Ms Vickers retired, there were just 18 female officers in the Bermuda Police Force, as the organisation was then known. Today, women make up one third of its officers.”
“It’s because of you that we have so many women officers on the service now … it’s not just because of your leadership, it’s because of who you are,” Ms Astwood told her.
Reflecting on the challenges Ms Vickers overcame, she added: “I know the barriers you had to break down felt really insurmountable at the time, but they had no test against you and you broke them down.”
Ms Vickers thanked those who had supported her throughout her journey and shared some advice with today’s officers: “Stand your ground and let them know you’re the boss.”
She also expressed gratitude for her life and her faith, saying: “I want to thank God for my life. I’m serving Him to the end, and when He comes, I’m ready for Him.”
Ms Astwood reflected on how opportunities for women in policing have changed since she joined the BPS in 1994.
“When I joined, we had to have ‘W’ before our titles, for Women Police Constables, and we were not allowed to patrol by ourselves. Now we’re just police officers,” she said.
Commissioner Simons thanked the nearly 400 guests at the tea for “their role in helping to build the Bermuda that the BPS serves and protects today.”
“I would not have even thought of going into policing had it not been for my parents and people like yourselves who plant seeds and see opportunity in young people you are bringing along,” he said.
He also spoke about the value of encouraging more women to consider a career in policing.
“Women make up 51 per cent of the world’s population, so it’s really important that we stack the deck for success for better outcomes when it relates to crimes that are typically committed against women.”
