Police: Mike Jackman Retires After 32 Years
[Updated] Deputy Police Commissioner Mike Jackman is set to retire after 32 years of service.
Commissioner of Police Michael DeSilva said, “The Bermuda Police Service would like to recognise the career of Deputy Commissioner Mike Jackman, who retires today after 32 years of policing in Bermuda.
“Mr. Jackman began his initial training in 1982, joining the Bermuda Police Force as part of Recruit Foundation Course #31.
“During his policing career he chaired the Bermuda Police Association from 1996-1999, was ultimately promoted to Deputy Commissioner in December 2009 and more recently was awarded the Overseas Territories Police Medal for Meritorious Service in June 2012.
“Undoubtedly, his service has helped to make Bermuda safer.
“Mr. Jackman, a proud Barbadian and avid sportsman, will be returning to Barbados at the end of the month to enjoy his retirement. We wish him a safe journey home and all the best in his future endeavours.”
Update: On the occasion to mark Mr. Jackman’s retirement, National Security Minister Michael Dunkley commended him for his service, saying his “32 year career that has been validated by the trust and confidence he has enjoyed of Governors, successive Ministers and the men and women with whom he has served.”
Minister Dunkley’s full statement follows below:
Retirement can be a tricky thing.
Some say it is best to plan to retire before the boss thinks about your retirement…based on the absence of HE the Governor tonight it seems that Mike Jackman is ahead of the curve!
Or perhaps it can be looked at another way…upon retirement of a person you always hear glowing praises.
But perhaps behind a good wish for the future might well be a hidden “good riddance”.
Some of the tears that are being shed might be tears of joy.
There can even be hidden meanings in the speeches….so, when a speaker says: “and I wish you all success in your future endeavors…..” does that really mean “maybe in your next job you’ll get it right…..”
Thankfully, tonight is not such an occasion.
Mike Jackman‘s retirement is the culmination of a 32 year career that has been validated by the trust and confidence he has enjoyed of Governors, successive Ministers and the men and women with whom he has served. 32 years…
As I thought about tonight’s celebration I thought back to 1982.
- Ronald Reagan was President of the US
- Britain overcame Argentina in the Falklands War
- Former Soviet Leader Leonid Brezhnev passed away at 75.
- The first artificial heart was implanted
- Sir John Swan became Premier of Bermuda
- Penny Bean was the Commissioner of Police, the first born Bermudian to rise from constable to Commissioner
- Hurricane Debby grazed Bermuda as a Cat 2 in Mid SeptAnd Mike Jackman joined the BPS and one night shortly after joining was staked out with MP Glen Smith (a police reserve at that time) looking for the illusive Eggs Smith!
Mike Jackman is a proud West Indian and the proof of that is an accent that is as full of flying fish and coucou today as it was when he first arrived on these shores.
The circle of his service is almost complete as I understand that Barbados is soon to reclaim this native son and so Bermuda reluctantly parts with him having benefitted immensely from his service for over three decades.
In the 15 months that I have been the Minister of National Security I have been impressed by the strength of the team that is known in some quarters as “The Mike and Mike Show”.
The work of the Bermuda Police Service is too important to the success of Bermuda for there to be anything but a strong team at the helm.
Together, Commissioner DeSilva and Deputy Commissioner Jackman have spoken with one voice on the priorities, operational effectiveness and tactical approach to the phenomena of gang violence in this country.
Across the political divide they have inspired confidence and have understood the need of elected officials to feel connected to policing of this community.
There has been no “daylight” between them and the demonstrated confidence of the people of Bermuda in the work of the Bermuda Police Service is in no small measure due to their unity of purpose and obvious confidence in each other.
Personally, the Mike Jackman I know will be committed in retirement to some of the same things he has attempted to perfect over several years.
I admire his persistence in the face of challenges.
I respect his “never say die” attitude to this skill.
I even marvel at his dedication when confronted with certain failure.
No, I am not speaking of anything related to policing; the Mike Jackman I know is only retiring at 55 so that he can finally sort out his golf game.
So mindful of the hidden meanings I referred to at the beginning, Mr. Jackman “I wish you all success in your future endeavors”!
In closing, let me thank you Mrs. Jackman for your strong support of your husband and to wish you well also.
It is not easy being the spouse of anyone who is a public figure or who is in a leadership position and thus we should not take lightly just how important that is.
Now as your husband retires it means that he is home every day and in retirement there are no days off!
Ladies and gentlemen, I am honoured, on behalf of the Premier, Government and people of Bermuda to salute an outstanding policeman, a dedicated public servant and a committed student of the game of golf.
Mr. Deputy Commissioner, thank you for your service and I wish you a healthy, happy and enjoyable retirement.
-
Update Mar 17, 10.55am: Governor George Fergusson issued a statement calling Mr. Jackman’s service “positive and distinctive” and announcing an effort to identify a successor.
“As Deputy Commissioner Jackman commences his pre-retirement leave today I would like to pay a big tribute to his service to the Bermuda Police Service over a long time.
“I have really enjoyed working with him since my arrival in Bermuda and have seen the particular qualities which have made his contribution so positive and distinctive. I wish him and Michelene the very best for the future.
“A selection process is underway to identify a successor, focusing on serving officers of the Bermuda Police Service and any Bermudian of suitable rank serving in law enforcement elsewhere.”
REALLY!!! Something ain’t right….
Congratulations Michael Jackman, whom has made an enormous contribution to Bermuda during his time with the Police department. Mr. Jackman took his job seriously, and professionally. He handled very difficult situations in a unique fashion. Often at times this include making “Politically Correct Statements”, which often are required of the Police department.
Wishing you all the best during your retirement. I know your much to young to do nothing, so I know you will remain active doing for the community. Thanks for working in the best interest of Bermuda. Once again “Well done you good and faithful servant” may God bless.
A useless company man. Came to Bermuda and made big bucks!
Any bets on who will succeed him?
betcha they bring yet another ex pat officer over to replace him “whilst a suitable replacement Bermudian Officer can be found”
His replacement as Deputy Commissioner will likely be Assistant Commissioner Antoine Daniels–a Bermudian, by the way!!
Legal eagle, wishful thinking. I highly doubt it will be Mr. Daniels although I think it should be but I highly doubt it. I have read most comments and what concerns me is the continued promotion and hiring of overseas people. I will not argue on whether Mr. Jackman did a great service to Bermuda or not but we need to start investing in our own people and not people from overseas. I am sure that Mr Jackman has been given a handsome retirement package and what is he doing, taking those funds to boost his country’s economy while Bermuda continues to suffer. I cannot for the life of me understand why Bermuda does not invest in its own people.
Good bye! We may even get an effective and fairly run Bermuda Police Service now.
Under the UBP/OBA cats like Jackman had their work permits renewed over and over and over and over and ,you get the point . Anyway , I guess I’ll be seeing him in the immediate future coming back as a highly paid security consultant for the UBP /OBA .
Work permits are for 3yrs. How long has the OBA been in power?
stop drinking coffee,it aint working for you,drink more kool aid,it’ll sort you out.
Not too bright are you, coffee. Who renewed his work permits from 1998-2012?
Over and over and over. You get the point.
My bad , I forgot , memories and attention spans are short . In ’01 the PLP gave cats like Jackman who for decades lived in Bermuda at the mercy of the UBP / OBA , we’ll they gave them PRC status .
Come on, you guys.
Don’t let reality and truth get in the way of some good, old fashioned propaganda!
Don’t let honesty get in the way of sinking to new lows.
I got the impression that Mike Jackman married a Bermudian, they had two Bermuda children and he became a Bermudian many years ago. Is Coffee sure that he would still have to apply for his work permit over and over and over and over?!!!! You get the point.
Hmmm…. I agree with the frog… Something ain’t right.
Hmmmm I think it’s time for independence to come to the fore front again. Mr. Jackman has retired and there’s been no replacement. This should not be the way an organization such as the police force is run. In other words there should have been an official handing over of duties, unless the Governor plans. To save money by not hiring another Deputy Commissioner, would make sense as the force is only 450 strong. It seems top heavy anyways.
What makes you think “there’s no replacement”?
My stomach hurts! I hope people are watching closely.. Jackman has contributed immensely to this society and is a great loss to the police service and Bermuda. Mr. Jackman, I hope (but I know better) that there is not more to this. I really do.
Mr. Michael Jackman, Please accept our sincere gratitude for the dedication you have given to Bermuda your chosen workplace. The place where you chose to marry and raise your wonderful children.
You have had an exemplary honourable police career and it has not gone unnoticed by our community.
We appreciate your honest approach to policing in our community and wish you and your family all the best on your retirement from the Police Force.
No matter how much of one self is given, there’s seems to always be some non appreciative individuals. They are not the majority!
Happy Retirement and Carry on!
Thankyou Mr. Jackson.
Best wishes in your retirement.
One down two to go then maybe we can have leadership in that less than effective and overfunded organization.
I completely disagree with Y-Girl. For the last couple of years we have had the most outstanding leaders in the history of the Bermuda Police. Our present Commissioner is a highly intelligent born Bermudian who has risen to the top through hard work, dedication and excellent leadership skills. Mike Jackman has been a strict disciplinarian but he has also risen to the rank of Deputy Commissioner through hard work, a strong personality and the drive to constantly study to upgrade his skills. Paul Wright as Assistant Commissioner is also a first class senior police officer who gets on with the job and is respected by the vast majority of his peers.
The men and women of our Police Service are carrying out their duties in the most difficult of times and they constantly strive to the job to the best of their abilities. Some folks constantly try to undermine anyone and everyone in authority.
Perhaps Y-Gurl would prefer far less police officers and far less funding. Let me know how many of our leaders from either political party would support that point of view. Let me hazard a guess. Not one!
According to who? According to the other Bermuda the force and its leaders have been a disgrace. Two Bermuda’s, two different views of everything.
One way or the other we all came to this island for the last 400 years plus, so to all Bermudians this island will always be welcoming others like it have for all these years , so let’s celebrate this and be part of global community. Last time I check there is a lot Bermudians in UK, USA, the Caribbean islands, and even Canada.. Don’t forget you Bermuda own like nick Wells is doing great in IK, so was Shaun Goater, you see the picture ….
To My Jackman, that for your service , God bless you and enjoy your retirement
Yes let’s bring on independence again and grow some lilies while we are at it …gonna need um
ahhh doit…why not…..but not until dey either put dose triumphs back…i like a buell too…or maybe a jeep wranglah….and a plate of food …i like my groceries…
is dis a payin job…?cause if not yah gottah get someone from away..
I think he is so cute!!Best wishes in the future.