New Assistant Commissioner of Police
Bermuda will have a new Assistant Commissioner of Police effective Monday July 5th. David Mirfield will be appointed for a period of two years during which time he will focus on serious crime investigations, particularly in the areas of gang suppression and violence reduction. He was selected out of 15 applicatants, and was invited to Bermuda in March for an interview with the Commissioner and his senior staff.
With decades of experience, Mr. Mirfield retired in April as a Chief Superintendent from the West Midlands Police having served with them for 35 years. The West Midlands area includes the City of Birmingham with its population of approximately 1,100,000.
Previously Birmingham-based, he said had and his department of the West Midlands Police had overseen a “reduction in gun-related crime in the West Midlands.” He asserted that in the West Midlands, there had been 3 gun-related deaths in one year and that this was a reduction from 20-30 deaths in a year in previous years.
He has a Law Degree from Coventry University, a Diploma in Criminal Justice, and is a trainer for West Midlands Police and the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) in murder investigations and witness protection. Mr Mirfield said that he was “impressed with what he had seen and heard of the Bermuda Police Force.”
Pictured left to right Police Commissioner DeSilva, Colonel Burch and Mr Mirfield:
Full statement by Minister Colonel David Burch:
I am pleased to announce that the Public Service Commission, acting on the recommendation of the Commissioner of Police, has approved the appointment of Mr. David Mirfield as Assistant Commissioner of Police (Serious Crime), with effect from Sunday 4th July. He will be appointed for a period of two years during which time he will be tasked with establishing best practices in serious crime investigations, particularly in the areas of gang suppression and violence reduction. Some fifteen (15) applications were received when the post was advertised earlier this year, and Mr. Mirfield was invited to Bermuda in March for an interview with the Commissioner and his senior staff. Mr. Mirfield edged out two other short-listed candidates by providing evidence of recent operational experience and investigative successes.
Mr. Mirfield retired in April as a Chief Superintendent from the West Midlands Police having served with them for 35 years. He has a long and distinguished investigative career that includes serving as a Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) and then Crime Manager for serious crimes. He spent the last four years in charge of the West Midlands’ Criminal Investigative Division with responsibility for all major crime including: gangs, murder, kidnap and child abuse. Additionally, he commanded surveillance operations, economic crime and forensic services. He is a qualified commander for kidnap, counter terrorism, firearms and public order operations. Mr. Mirfield holds a Law Degree (LLB Hons) from Coventry University, and a Diploma in Criminal Justice. He is a trainer for West Midlands Police and the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) in murder investigations and witness protection.
Full statement by Police Commissioner Michael DeSilva:
Mr. Mirfield will take up his post after a swearing-in ceremony on Monday 5th July at Police Headquarters. His remit as Commander of Serious Crime includes the investigation of murders and attempted murders; gang criminality; police firearms operations and public disorder. Additionally, he will be in charge of the Intelligence Division as well as specialist investigations in the areas of drugs; firearms; financial crime and crimes against vulnerable persons, including children.
Assistant Commissioner Mr. Paul Wright will be transferred to the Operations side of the police service. Mr. Wright has held the Serious Crime post for the last 14 months, and has spent the last decade serving in the Criminal and Intelligence Divisions of the Service. He will now command the Community Policing Division which includes the uniformed patrols, criminal investigation units and the Community Action Teams at the Island’s three police stations. Additionally, he will be in charge of all support services including: marine and roads policing, court services, police communications, training, administration and the forensic examination unit.
