Police Respond to Concerns Over Mould

Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul Wright today released a statement addressing concerns over mould in the Hamilton Police Station. The Royal Gazette reported that “an expert said Hamilton Police Station is so contaminated with mould that it’s uninhabitable, and officers working there should be wearing breathing masks.”

Assistant Commissioner Wright’s full statement follows below:

A court order was recently issued to allow two mould consultants hired by a local law firm to conduct tests at Hamilton and Somerset Police Stations in relation to a civil action brought against the Bermuda Government. Media reports today have highlighted the opinion of those consultants that the Hamilton Police Station is “so contaminated with mould that it is uninhabitable”.

Naturally we are all committed to maintaining the health and safety of everyone working in or visiting the buildings that we occupy. The Bermuda Police Service has a long-established relationship with local experts Bermuda Water Consultants (BWC) to periodically test the quality of our air and water at Bermuda Police Service occupied buildings. Since 2006 the Bermuda Police Service has spent $78,000 on that testing program that has included every building that we occupy. This testing program also includes follow-up inspections conducted in 2008.

As a result, the Bermuda Police Service has been working with BWC, Bermuda Land Development Corporation (BLDC) and Works & Engineering (W&E) to improve the state of the buildings we occupy. In some cases new purpose-built facilities have been opened or are under construction and renovations have been carried out at other buildings. BWC made recommendations outlining what the Bermuda Police Service can do to assist in the improvement of our work environments. Some of the common issues in each report are as follows:-

• Cleaning of air conditioners
• Improving ventilation by opening windows and in some cases deploying air purifiers – These must have the filters changed regularly.
• Cleaning and maintenance – proper dusting of furniture, removing dust build-up from surfaces
• Carpet cleaning or removal- If removed this may require long term work i.e. replacing with tile.
• Removing damp ceiling tiles.
• Remove all paper waste

In light of the concerns reported in the media today, the Commissioner has ordered that another follow-up inspection of Hamilton and Somerset Police Stations be conducted by BWC as an independent company not connected with the current civil litigation. Discussions with the management of BWC were conducted first thing this morning and I am pleased to report that the testing will commence immediately… today. I have agreed with BWC that in order to facilitate a quick response, they will provide me with an immediate verbal report in the event they find levels of contamination to support the opinions expressed by the private consultants. I will of course keep you all updated on any developments. In the interim, the stations will remain open in line with the course of action agreed as a result of the last independent inspection.”

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