Inspectorate Report On Bermuda Police
[Updated] The Final Report prepared by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary [HMIC] following an inspection of the Bermuda Police Service undertaken in June 2011 was released today [Mar.1]
HMIC has a legal responsibility to independently assess police forces and police activity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in the public interest, and were invited to review the Bermuda Police Service.
The inspection in Bermuda included a review of documents and performance data and a preparatory visit to Bermuda between 06 and 10 June 2011. The inspection continued with a further series of structured interviews, focus groups and reality checking conducted between the 07 and 10 November 2011.
“Bermuda has historically experienced relatively low crime levels compared to its Caribbean neighbours. Consistently low levels of crime generated little pressure upon the police to evolve and respond to new policing challenges – until 2009, when the island suffered the start of a continuing series of gang-related homicides,” said the report.
On the topic of staffing the report said, “Delivery of strategic intentions will only be achieved if the organisation has the right staff with the right skills. It is clear that within the BPS there are many competent officers and staff, committed to the organisation and the public. Visually officers are smart and set high standards of appearance.
“The Force should consider introducing a talent management processes for the early identification of officers and staff who show the potential for leadership positions and specialist roles, and look to address the under-representation of female officers.
“There are opportunities for cost reductions through the introduction of Community Support Officers and the civilisation of posts not requiring the execution of police powers. In addition, the ratios of constables to supervisors and senior managers are lower than in many other forces. These initiatives should be evaluated to identify benefits and disadvantages in the context of Bermuda.”
HMIC recommends that the Bermuda Police Service should:
- 1. Develop a Strategic Plan which sets out the direction and objectives for the Force over the next three years. The document should include a vision, mission and values and be refreshed annually.
- 2. Construct an Annual Policing Plan for 2012/13 as a delivery mechanism to achieve the desired outcomes within the Strategic Plan.
- 3. Articulate the benefits to Government of a strict process to confirm police budgetary settlements in advance of the financial year end, and complete a medium-term financial plan.
- 4. Consider the appointment of a dedicated gang violence delivery lead (perhaps at superintendent level) with personal responsibility for managing a violence reduction plan on a daily basis, and who is accountable to the Commissioner.
- 5. Encourage the formation and participation in multi-agency partnerships aimed at eradicating gang-related violence.
- 6. Develop covert and overt tactical options and incorporate them in a violence reduction strategy, with prevention, enforcement and rehabilitation outcomes.
- 7. Commence a Human Resources programme to modernise the workforce through a range of initiatives which aim to increase the recruitment of Bermudians, identify and support talented officers and staff for progression, secure a proportionate representation of female officers, and civilianise non-police posts.
The full 22-page report is below [PDF here] click ‘Fullscreen’ for greater clarity:
Update 5.56pm: Commissioner of Police Michael DeSilva said, “The request by the Bermuda Police Service to His Excellency to be inspected by HMIC was made with the Bermuda public in mind. It provides an independent assessment of what we are doing well, what we need to do better and new ideas that we should consider with the local context in mind. It gives members of the public some insight to assess how effective and efficient we are being with our resources, and whether we have the right order of priorities.
“Overall I think this is a good report for the Bermuda Police Service and it suggests that the direction we’ve been heading in the last three years in tackling guns and gangs has made a difference. The report is welcomed by the Bermuda Police Service and we appreciate a fresh look at our performance and the accompanying appraisal.
“The report, in simple terms, is a gap analysis between where we are and where we need to be. The recommendations are the steps we should consider taking in order to get there. Our next step is to digest the report in full to determine which suggestions will yield the greatest value to the Service and the public, and then set our priorities from there.”
“There are opportunities for cost reductions through the introduction of Community Support Officers and the civilisation of posts not requiring the execution of police powers”
Yet there are those who over the course of 1 to 2 years that repeatedly suggest that the BPS’s budget be increased. Funny how the outside perspective differs from their point of views. None the less, once reading this comment I am sure someone will state the obvious, that England is over there and we are here and that they have no idea what goes on here, even though the above conclusions were completed as an observation of past dealings of the BPS. What also strikes me is that these same people do not like anything or anyone that disagrees with their beleifs. Here you have the Cayman Islands slandering our Bermuda and then you have a bunch of Bermudians doing the same. But then you have some of those same Bermudians that say BPS needs a budget increase but will no doupt disagree with the above story and cite England do not know what is going on here in Bermuda. Which is it? Do the outsiders know whats going on or don’t they? Make up your minds!
I read the reccomendations let me say.
Duh!!!
those things are very generic and very easy to say to do, but in a small community they are much easier to do than in The UK.
most of the things that they are asking from what I know are already in place.