Police Service Launch Recruitment Campaign
Superintendent Sean Field-Lament this morning [Mar 21] announced the launch of the 2013 Bermuda Police Service Recruitment Campaign.
Superintendent Field-Lament said, “The Bermuda Police Service is actively looking to attract the best local candidates to join our ranks. We are aware that in the current economic climate, there are a number of Bermudians looking for a meaningful career, or who are considering changing occupations – and the Bermuda Police Service presents a very viable option.
“As a police officer, successful recruits will join a dynamic organization with exceptional benefits – committed to policing with the community and ‘Making Bermuda Safer.’ All new officers will also be expected to adhere to the Bermuda Police Service Core Values of Professionalism, Accountability, Integrity, Dedication, Respect, Courage & Unity.”
“Recruitment ads will soon appear in the media and officers from the Training Department will also attend various community events to promote this latest recruitment campaign.
“Those eligible to join the Bermuda Police Service as a Police Constable should:
- Be between 19 and 49 years of age and possess a valid Bermuda driver’s licence.
- Be Bermudian, the non-Bermudian spouse of a Bermudian or if non-Bermudian, possess a letter from the Immigration Department stating that they have permission to work in Bermuda without a work permit – not seek employment.
- Possess a school-leaving certificate with good academic standing.
- Be committed to serving the community and upholding the law.
- Be honest and possess a high degree of integrity.
- Be team players, highly motivated, decisive and calm under pressure with good interpersonal skills.
“Along with meeting the initial requirements, applicants must pass the Police Initial Recruitment Test (PIRT), vetting checks, physical, psychological and medical tests as well as a home visit and an Assessment Board.
“Anyone interested in a career with the Bermuda Police Service is encouraged to pick up an application form at the nearest police station. In addition, application forms can also be downloaded from the official Bermuda Police Service website at bermudapolice.bm.
“Completed applications should be dropped off to the Training Department at Police Headquarters in Prospect, Devonshire. All applications should be submitted with three passport sized photos, a copy of the candidate’s birth certificate and GED or High School Certificate plus three professional character reference letters.
“The deadline for this recruitment initiative is: Friday, April 19th, 2013.”
It is without doubt a tough job being a police officer in Bermuda but it offers an challenging career with good pay and excellent benefits for young, and not so young, Bermudians who meet their requirements. It would be great to hear that their next training course is filled locally without having to recruit overseas.
Tough job?!?!? LMAO!!! What’s tough? Sitting in a car or on a nice high cc motorcycle most of the day, writing out tickets, filling out reports, holding a speed scanner, searching people or being despised by some?
You really are a moron Tommy, go strap on a bullet proof vest and patrol with these officers on a night shift at a weekend we’ll see how easy you think it is
@ Watcher.
Tommy is a police hater in case it wasn’t obvious. Incapable of balanced arguement. Don’t waste your key strokes.
Officer enough how nice of you to join us. Lets get some facts straight here. I’m not a police hater just because I think the BDA government has given them more power than they can professionally handle. Im also not a police hater because I think that there are people with jobs that are as difficult as the BDA police but they get paid much less than the BDA police. This is just my opinion about BDA police & not about any other countries police. This does not mean I hate police.
Your posts are generally negative towards the men and women of the Service and the job they do. I say that’s police hating. I’m not a police officer by the way. I’ve said time and again the BPS can and should do better.
Where you need to direct you ire then is the private sector. Lots of those folks get paid vastly more than the Commissioner of Police nevermind a mere constable and do significantly less work in often cushy conditions.
Of course many of those work 80+hr weeks, answer emails when ‘off’ and have employment dependent on many issues which often have nothing to do with your ability.
How about you have a pop at fire fighters. Surely they just get paid to sleep and wash trucks, right?? Occasionally rescue a kitty from a tree. Sure you mght have to provide advanced life support or risk your life in a burning building but when did any fireman here last run into a full involved fire to rescue a child??
And surely you must despise those lazy teachers?? Right? 6 months holiday a year, a student population leaving school ill equipped to compete in the job market.Admittedly you run the risk oF being fired or arrested if you so much as look at one of those darlings sideways and have mountains or marking to do when you get home.
I don’t even want to get you started on the leeches that are prison officersup at Westgate; babysitting folks who are behind locked doors all day. Sure these can be hardened murderers and gang members on life sentences with little to lose and you are routinely, massively outnumbered but still, another cushy number that you could do easily, right big shot?
Anyway, as I said previously, you’re a liar and a wagon jumper. It’s easy to sit and slag off someone about which you have no knowledge. It’s far harder to become part of the solution.
What’s tuff about strapping on a bullet proof vest & patrolling on a weekend nightshift? They have tasers & batons for crying out loud! The chances of a construction worker needing their helmet on a site is higher then an officer needing a vest. Its more dangerous to be a bouncer at this time than an officer.
Yet people still go into both of those professions when policing is apparently so easy and outlandishly remunerated.
Ever think to ask yourself why??
Ever think to ask why Bermuda NEEDS…and it is a need….expatriate staff??
Oh, you’re a liar by the way, just in case anyone missed it from earlier.
That’s because both those professions are more respected than being in the BPS. Poor expats don’t know this until they’re already on the force. Why else do you think police clique together even when off duty?
Hahahaha…..yeah, more respected. Good one.
Liar.
If this were untrue why is it that you & only a handful of other posters are coming to the defense? I’ve seen more posters defending some convicted criminals than this.
@tommy chong:
I agree with some of your comments on other posts. However, on this I disagree. I do not work for the BPS. I do, however, understand that they do have a difficult job.
Take the following into consideration:
The general feeling towards police in Bermuda is that they are out to get people. I am not saying that people can’t hold that opinion. I am, however, stating that a large population despise the police. Even with the high pay they still have a hard time filling these posts.
Other difficult things may include, but not limited too:
Confrontation on a regular basis
Unsociable hours
Responsibility when off duty (from what I understand, if an off duty police officer witnesses a crime and they don’t do anything about it they can be held liable) in which case they are always on duty to some extent. The people you are working for despising you can’t be easy. Although they make more money than me, I do not envy them for a minute. And in Bermuda there are many jobs that pay that or above that are much less challenging.
Give me some of these examples of “jobs that are as difficult as the BDA police but they get paid much less than the BDA police” And what makes them more difficult.
not only police “clique together” how many people hang out with their co-workers outside work. most jobs that require teamwork you might find the people who do that job hang together outside of work.
I’ll be more than happy to teach you first hand why they need tasers and batons.
Be my guest just as long as you don’t call the police & sue me for laying you flat with my bare knuckles. Besides my point is its easy not tuff to defend yourself when you have those type of weapons at your disposal especially when the majority of the criminals the police come in contact with would rather run than fight & even if armed with a gun would not dare to shoot at an officer.
@Tommy Chong that’s the thing you fail to realize. The police aren’t protecting themselves, they’re protecting Bermuda. most incidents they attend people call them. It’s not like they walk around with all their equipment off duty. If they were only protecting themselves they would have all that at their house and only their families would be safe instead they take it to the street to attempt to make all families safe. Are they always successful no but they try.
Tough job..are you mad..or perhaps a cop, the police in bermuda have an easy time of it, and are accountable to no one, a cop in New York has a hard job, how the hell can you even begin to compare
Y-Gurl,
ya talking outta ya p#$$ycat!..
shut up.
Climb back into your hole and look around you..idiot!
How much um gettin paid de first yur?
Ya sum bie! Lol
Big money but you can’t be a ganja man because they make you pee in a cup.
They take hair samples, but you wouldn’t know that. Too busy sitting behind your keyboard reaping the benefits of safety and security they provide you with…
REALLY!?!? Poster enough says they don’t do either & enough knows EVERYTHING about the BPS.
Hey enough! Are you going to call this poster a liar also or do you just wait under your bridge till I come past?
As for keeping me safe behind my keyboard tell that to ALL those who have been robbed & assaulted. Ah yes! I Know! Can’t be everywhere all the time. No wonder minister milkman’s only solution is to get on our knees & pray even if craig has given the nowhere to found extra millions this year.
No, retard, I said that once initially accepted into the police there is no random or mandatory drug testing. FACT. I made no comment on the method by which the testing is carried out.
Yet another in your litany of lies exposed.
“have permission to work in Bermuda without a work permit”
Watch for the four Uighur policemen.
Is it a drug free workplace?
For the first year of recruitment it is since there’s regular mandatory drug test. Don’t know about the rest of the years since the drug test get less regular & mandatory.
Less mandatory??
Had a friend who joined & failed the drug test then was given a second chance & failed again. They were given one last chance & told if failed they were out. They went cold turkey & past then stayed on for a few more years. They would of stayed on longer because they liked the pay but while others stopped being called in for test they still did. What caused them to quit was that another officer they knew was called in same time as them but they made an excuse why they didn’t have time to do it & the excuse worked. My buddy tried a similar excuse the time after but was told it wouldn’t fly & he had to do it. Less mandatory for the other officer more mandatory for my friend so maybe less mandatory is not the best description. He took it as discrimination & quit.
This is lies, pure and simple. No officer has been ‘called in’ to give a test after starting the job, ever. End of story.
Whether they should or not is another question, I happen to think it’s a no brainer and all officers should be routinely tested, but your story is lies.
In case you don’t understand what I’m saying, let me be clear; you Sir are a liar.
Even if your story was not lies, which it is, your ‘friend’ with a history of failing drug tests would be the very person that any Commissioner worth his or her salt would and SHOULD be subjecting to greater scrutiny.
Let’s hear a response, liar.
Now now officer enough! Oh wait! That’s right! My bad! You’re not an officer & never have been as you keep responding to me but you choose to call me a liar for my mention of drug testing in the force. So how do you know any more than me about the goings on in BPS? Are you privy to all officers business to know if they are tested or no & how so if not an officer & never been? What I typed was something I was told from a friend who WAS in the BPS. Even you leave a shadow of doubt with, “Even if your story was not lies, which it is, your ‘friend’ with a history of failing drug tests would be the very person that any Commissioner worth his or her salt would and SHOULD be subjecting to greater scrutiny.” When I mentioned my friend failing the test when he joined I meant when he was going through the recruiting procedure so maybe thats why they continued to test him after becoming full fledged police. Im pretty sure he wouldn’t lie to me but I don’t know for certain how the polices deal with everyone of their staff & neither do you since YOU ARE NOT & HAVE NEVER BEEN PART OF THE BPS.
Oh by the way another thing. If you are correct about the police never testing their staff then they are blatant hypocrites. How can the police breathalyze others or arrest drug users when they could have alcoholics & addicts in their midst. IF you are right then there are IB companies on island that have better knowledge of how clean their staff is than the police. Now that’s sad! IF you are correct.
Where do I say I’ve never been a police officer??
You’re a liar.
I am correct and you believe your druggie friend which makes you a lair and a fool.
I was perfectly clear if you had chosen to read and comprehend when I stated that the police should have mandatory testing. They don’t, except for during the hiring process.
You are a liar and an idiot.
ya full of shite!
Prove it tourettes!
You made the initial statement based on hearsay from your little druggie friend. He wouldn’t lie to you?? Hahahaha, classic. He did. He’s a liar and you’re a liar; birds of a feather flock together.
He wasn’t lying about being part of the BPS since I & others saw this. We were shocked & amused seeing him in uniform after knowing him personally. If my, “little druggie friend” was part of the BPS I wonder how many other little druggies are or have been part of the BPS. Like you typed, “birds of a feather flock together”
Makes sense when I think about it since so many police reports for possession arrest read the same. “ Police noticed a strong smell typical of marijuana coming from the vehicle so a search was done” Come on now why don’t you explain to me how so many officers can recognize the aroma of something they should have little or no contact with so easily. Do they have scratch & sniff drug sheets?
@enough you’re clearly wasting your time arguing with Tommy Chong. @Tommy Chong saying that police can smell drugs cause their druggies is idiotic, Not that I’m calling you an idiot because I don’t know you but your statement is idiotic. I have never done any drugs but I can tell weed from a distance because I grew up around it. Was offered it before I really even knew what it was. The only thing that kept me from smoking it then was I was tought don’t take things from strangers and don’t put nothing in your mouth if you don’t know what it is. and I was 7 or 8 then. A big problem nowadays is people expect everyone to know what they know but in reality they never had anyone playing the role of the person who taught it to you
I’m not arguing with him. He lies and talks nonsense, I present facts.
For his and ‘come correct’, let me say this. Police officers are imperfect by virtue of being human. I have no doubt some break laws, be they drug or traffic laws. I have never said anything to the contrary. I certainly have no moral objection to ‘weed’, but police enforce laws. Take that whine up with your politicians.
The problem with Tommy and his ilk is that he’s a tough guy, no-it-all behind a computer screen. I’m very sure there are subjects about which he knows more than me, policing isn’t one of them.
Tommy it’s literally impossible to argue with these people, we’re all going to have different oppinions, but I feel you. I could name an officer right now thats a “druggie” but why would I? He’s a cool guy, smokes some pot, who gives a f@ck as long as he isn’t on duty. How hard do you think it is to sit off up 42nd and switch the transmission out of neutral to high tail it out of there seconds before a shooting? Oh did people forget about that? A 9mm slug vs a 2000+lb vehicle…something tells me I would have won that battle. Wait for it…wait for it… Oh why dont I join then if it’s so easy? I was going to unil I found out I still have a record that was supposed to be discharged by me abiding by the courts conditions. I did just that and risked jail time instead of taking the fine and being done with it, so a big shout out and thank you to the system for setting me up to fail. So now with that coupled with the sh!tty treatment I get when interacting with Bermudas finest I say f@ck the police. Somebody prowling around my house you think I’m calling them? No,I’im sure you’ll find the disfigured unconcious body in the road eventually but I didn’t see or hear a thing. I used to single handedly be the neighborhood watch in my area, prevented and reported enough crimes, now, not my yard not my problem. BPS, you want cooperation from the public? Don’t treat everyone like a piece of sh!t.
Yes for them the drugs are free
no thanks….um scared of the gansters, and so are the non-expat police
The only expat police not scared of gangsters are the british ones. The ones from the islands are because in the islands the defense forces are the only ones who gangsters show respect to. I don’t know why any would be scared in the first place since we have wanksters here not gangsters. With the massive pay police get I would join in a heartbeat if I didn’t have to arrest herb smokers. If there wasn’t that conflict of interest I would thoroughly enjoy slamming the wanksters faces into the pavement as put the cuffs on as tight as they could go.
couldn’t agree more. The gangsters here are nothing compared to those in other countries. They just ruin Bermuda! Good thing im not a police officer because if i was i’d beat their a$$es and say they tried to fight back if anyone asked.
So why don’t you don a bulletproof and take to the streets. Seeing as the police are up against “wangsters” I’m sure you have the balls to do so. Keyboard bravery at its finest!
Because vigilantism is illegal & if it wasn’t I wouldn’t need a vest since more than half of the times these punks are not strapped. I’ve been jumped by wanksters like this before & held my own & never went down & put bumps in every single one of them. I can walk around middle town, jones village & out west without a worry. They all know & recognize & I don’t have to be a wankster puppet like them to get that respect.
Tough guy…
@Tommy Chong: On an island 100 miles east of St.Vincent, there is a task force who would crush these wannabes. Also, the defense force are not called out unless it is absolutely necessary because the task force do their job,and I know that the task force get the job done at least in Barbados! You cannot speak for all cops from the islands!
Fair enough. How about the ones who come here to work. Are they from the task force or were they even police before coming here? Maybe their just a civilian who saw an ad & said I’m going to Bermuda to become an officer & make big money.
Yet again you get schooled by someone who knows the subject about which they opine. Something you clearly don’t believe in. You seem to think that making assertions based on nothing and flatout lying equates to voicing an opinion. It doesn’t.
You’re a liar.
so many fools talk about the Bda Police and other fools compare it to other cities and countries..
NONE of these fools have any idea what exactly happens in Bda Police.
Quote from Tommy Chong – “Tough job?!?!? LMAO!!! What’s tough?”
Let’s see now. I guess we could start with investigating all these shootings and murders and looking good in a bullet proof vest; dealing with serious and fatal accidents (best not to be squeamish about blood); chasing after drug dealers in the midst of a hostile crowd, who will stop at nothing to get away, and if they get caught they will immediately hire the best (or the worst lawyers), or call in a Queen’s Counsel if it looks like they might have a difficult time getting off. After all they seem to have unlimited funds!
There’s nothing quite like getting called to domestic disputes where one or more of the parties are high on drugs or booze and will assault you or attack you for having the audacity to suggest that they calm down, stop beating up on their wife or children, or stop disturbing the entire neighborhood.
There’s just nothing as easy as investigating sex crimes where the victims are completely traumatized, whether it’s frightened women or young children.
Maybe the Marine Section have it real easy but please don’t call me when they venture out in rough weather for a rescue, or they have to put on their diving gear to recover a body that’s been decomposing for the last couple of weeks. Who wouldn’t want a job where you get out on the water and get paid for just cruising around!
Of course, it’s not tough doing guard duties at Government House or in the Courts. You just have to either sit on your backside or walk around. Well okay, you have to do some of it 24/7 summer and winter, Cup Match and Christmas! But that’s not tough Tommy!
And it’s not tough being on traffic patrol or motor cycle patrol because most folks keep to the speed limit and never actually break the law. It’s like herding sheep. No danger there! In fact you might even get a kick out of chasing after speeders who will then insult you when you catch ‘em because you picked on ‘em because they were black, or white, or expats, or any other reason they can come up with to say leave me the heck alone.
And you don’t need to be too bright to join the Police unless of course you have a problem keeping records of everything you do, and enter it into that confounded computer system so there is a permanent record and you can give evidence on oath in Court and face defence lawyers intent on getting their clients off. Let’s not mention investigating complex fraud cases. All you do all day is sit in an office twiddling your thumbs!!
Okay, you have to go through 3 months of training, and pass their fitness tests, but it’s not really very tough. And they insist that you are honest, have no criminal record and successfully pass the drug test. It’s almost like falling off a log getting into the Police Service.
Mind you, if you talk to most police officers they will tell you that it’s a fascinating job and that sometimes you’ll have to confront situations, problems and issues that the average member of the public never even thinks about and just takes it for granted that when they have a problem they can call the cops who will come running.
Some people say that being a police officer is not a job for the faint-hearted so I figure that Tommy Chong would be an ideal candidate!
How many officers out of the 400 plus encounter the situations you mentioned? Also how much of that is done by the police & not the paramedics, fire service, nurses & doctors?
To be honest Tommy, I havn’t even begun to outline the duties carried out by police officers. Every person who joins the Police Service has to realize that even on their first day alone in uniform they can be called on to deal with anything from a minor road accident to a sudden death or a domestic disturbance that can quickly get out of hand if not handled properly.
As a police officer you have to be trained to at least be able to handle any situation until assistance arrives, and it is more often than not a police officer who arrives first at the scene of most incidents for an obvious reason – they are out on patrol 24/7 whereas the paramedics, Fire Service, nurses and doctors you mention are usually in their workplace and have to be called out to attend.
There are some aspects of police work that are invariably boring and routine, but believe me when I say that during the course of a police career most officers have to deal with countless incidents and cases that are unique and different and challenging, and that they will remember for the rest of their lives. I’d like to know of another career that offers more challenges and variety than a police officer.
Not everyone is cut out to join the Police, and some fall by the wayside. Maybe that’s why they go through a “probationary period” for something like 3 years. You can knock it and make sarcastic remarks but for someone who is cut out for the job it is a great career and one to be proud of. One thing for sure, it is not for the faint of heart!
I for one, wish the Bermuda Police Service good luck in recruiting a full slate of Bermudian officers who have the qualities and drive to make it a career rather than just a job. And believe me, we have had some outstanding Bermudian police officers who have had the ability to put on the uniform anywhere in the world.
WOW! Even the traffic wardens deal with anything from a minor road accident to a sudden death or a domestic disturbance?
Another example of your level of idiocy.
Liar.
@Chong, I find your comments amusing. Everyone is an expert of the other guy’s job. Police do this, Police do that.
Please explain to me what qualifies you to be the all knowing authority on Police policies, tactics, strategy etc? For your sake I hope it wasn’t ya mate who is no longer with the Police.
Policing is a stressful thankless job, that only the mentally strong can survive. It has a disproportionately high percentage of suicide, depression, high blood pressure, insomnia, divorce etc.
The reason fo this, is because Police are potentially exposed to things that most would choose to avoid at all cost. That is why the turnover rate is so high. Many, like you, join thinking that they will collect that fat check while driving around looking sharp in the squad car.
Then they get that cold slap in the face when they arrive at their first murder/sudden death scene. Or when their family starts getting targeted and heckled by members of the public. Or maybe its just the unsociable work hours that erode their personal lives. Or maybe it’s the time where someone tried to harm them just because of their profession.
Everything looks easier, when you on the outside looking in. Give it a year or two, then lets talk. Until then, leave the commentary to something you actually know a bit about, like your own job. What is your job by the way?
“and it is more often than not a police officer who arrives first at the scene of most incidents for an obvious reason – they are out on patrol 24/7 whereas the paramedics, Fire Service, nurses and doctors you mention are usually in their workplace and have to be called out to attend.”
Hahaha you’re kidding right? Here’s the real order….Bernews, Fire, Ambulance, Po… Guys got jokes. I got a joke for you. One night a few of Bermuda’s finest walk into the beach, they see who’s there from PS…and they walk out.
So what would you have them do? Walk up to the guys and arrest them because of their gang affiliation alone?
What you don’t know is that officers routinely attend bars/clubs etc, to get an idea of crowd numbers and possible known criminals present. If something were to happen there later that evening, at least the officers attending would have an idea of what or who to expect. It’s called observations.
But like most, you see Police doing something that you have no idea about, and you make an assumption. So I hate to break it to you, but it seems like the joke is on you.
…Wasn’t really a joke, hence no punch line and the fact it was dryer than Chris Furberts scalp. Here’s another one that’s not so funny. When the police finish their recruitment I bet PS will start theirs.
I would imagine that would be affected by the nature of the call and location because 1 incidents like shootings ambulance don’t arrive until police have cleared the area of the victim to deem it safe. and location wise not all officers on shift are on patrol. some respond from the station and even the ones on patrol, when they make arrest have to go back to the station to process
They are trying to hire Bermudians who would have a vested interest in the long term stability and success of the island. Nothing wrong with that.
Being so small however the officers are exposed in that quickly their homes and family are potentially at risk if they act too strongly in conjunction with their jobs.
If there is any heavy work to be done I think it has to be temp brought in enforcers.
@tommyFung – PLEASE SHUT UP _ IF YOU ARE NOT A PART OF THE SOLUTION YOU ARE PART OF THE PROBLEM
and if you were so tough you wouldn’t need to use a synonym.
As much as you troll this site maybe a job is indeed what you need…or you could just go for a walk around all those “tough” neighborhoods you mentioned.
BTW i am not police but unlike you actually care about my islands future as i said YOU ARE PART OF THE PROBLEM AND ANY INGRATE THAT THINKS LIKE YOU
LOSER
@We See Behind The Curtain Fahy. couldn’t agree with you more. Understand it’s people who would be police but don’t because it conflicts with other things they want to do but so many are not only doing nothing but don’t even plan on doing anything but saying the most.
It’s really sad to read some of the ignorant and ill-informed comments on this post, but refreshing to read comments from folks like “hopeful future PC”. Believe me, the Police Service offers a truly fascinating career which is nothing like any other job you might consider. Yes, it can be tough, and difficult, and at times dangerous, and occasionally boring, and you may have to lock up a friend or family member, but if you set yourself a high standard, if you do your level best to be fair to EVERYONE you deal with regardless of their race, colour, outward appearance or attitude, if you can stay level headed in a crisis, and work hard, it offers you a unique and challenging career that you will be proud of.
Just to make it clear, if you meet the Tommy Chong’s of this world you need to respect them and treat them fairly even if they disrespect you. Sometimes being tough means being respectful even to those who you may think don’t deserve any respect. That’s the nature of the job.
@Bin There. Done That I couldn’t agree with you more. I can understand alot of peoples reason for not joining BPS cause they don’t wanna have to lock up their friends. To me it’s a two way street if my friend knows I’m police and they choose to break the law in front of me it’s a form of disrespect. For me if I get accepted I’m going in. I want the Bermuda my grandparents gave me growing up and am no longer of the age to expect anyone to give it to me. As for the challenges that come with being police I have been fortunate to see good and bad in Bermuda and worst overseas. As for dealing with people like Tommy Chong it’s part of what makes the world go round. Nobody is liked by everyone police or not. The best quote I’ve heard helping my decision is “Danger can lurk around any corner in life as we can’t control it for we are all just ordinary people including police. The only thing that separates them (police) from the rest of us ordinary people are our expectations for them to do extra-ordinary things”