Minister Weeks On National Security Initiatives

Following the recent tragedies “it is difficult to speak on the work that the Ministry of National Security does in promoting safety in Bermuda,” Minister of National Security Michael Weeks said in the House of Assembly, adding that “to provide some reassurance, I wish to provide an overview of some of the positive accomplishments over the last few years that the Departments under our remit have achieved in promoting safety in Bermuda.”

The Minister’s full statement follows below:

Mr. Speaker, I rise today for a few minutes of reflection before this Honourable House rises for the summer recess. Honourable Members will agree that the events of the past several weeks have taken a toll on our collective morale.

Mr. Speaker, following the recent tragedies in our community, on which I spoke in this Honourable House just last week, it is difficult to speak on the work that the Ministry of National Security does in promoting safety in Bermuda. Having said that, to provide some reassurance, I wish to provide an overview of some of the positive accomplishments over the last few years that the Departments under our remit have achieved in promoting safety in Bermuda.

Gang Violence Reduction Team

Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members will recall that the Ministry of National Security’s Gang Violence Reduction Team [GVRT] was formed in 2017, with the appointment of Pastor Leroy Bean as the Gang Violence Reduction Coordinator. The GVRT currently has four members who provide a range of services aimed at reducing gang violence and anti-social behavior in Bermuda. The GVRT has developed and implemented a Coordinated Crisis Response Team which provides immediate crisis support to family members, relatives, or witnesses of violent incidents, and post-incident support. The work of the Coordinated Crisis Response Team is crucial in mitigating the impacts of violence in the community and ensures that those affected receive assistance and access to necessary resources.

Mr. Speaker, the GVRT’s Redemption Programme and Youth Work Placement and Mentoring Initiative have been operational for five years. Over 150 young men between fifteen and thirty years old have completed the programme, which provides paid employment opportunities, educational support, and skills development to benefit participants in their future careers. The GVRT also delivers programmes in schools that focus on outreach, incident management, and personalized support to students.

Bermuda Police Service

Mr. Speaker, the Bermuda Police Service has as its mission “Making Bermuda Safer.” To this end, the BPS provides services in alignment with their mission. In 2018, following amendments to the Road Traffic Act 1947, the BPS began conducting Roadside Sobriety Checkpoints that test drivers for alcohol consumption. Due to these checkpoints, several drivers have been arrested while under the influence of alcohol; countless others made the decision to seek alternative transportation rather than risk being caught at a checkpoint. This has certainly saved countless lives.

This year, Mr. Speaker, the Government has supported an upgrade to the BPS’ CCTV network. The upgrade project will be completed by this Fall. The CCTV network will provide the BPS with enhanced coverage of the island’s roads and public spaces and will be an instrumental component of the BPS’ investigative resources. This level of CCTV coverage enhances community safety by deterring criminal activities through constant surveillance, making potential offenders think twice before committing crimes. Additionally, when crimes are committed, it aids in the swift identification and apprehension of suspects.

Department of Corrections

Mr. Speaker, in January 2022, the Department of Corrections welcomed its first female Commissioner, Mrs. Keeva Joell-Benjamin, who continues to lead Corrections in its mission to “empower inmates to be responsible and productive citizens.” This Government has allocated funding for the improvement of computer labs at the Corrections facilities which have provided inmates with opportunities to gain access to online educational and technological programmes. Inmates who are seeking employment as part of their discharge planning can now be given a monitored personal email address, allowing them to communicate with potential employers.

Mr. Speaker, this Government has approved the transition of the substance abuse recovery programme, the Right Living House, from overseas management to the Department of Corrections. The transition was completed in July 2024 and will provide stability for the residents and more permanent employment opportunities for Bermudians. Overall, the inmates that participate in this programme continue to benefit tremendously both whilst incarcerated, and post-release by way of the Aftercare Component of the programme.

Customs

Mr. Speaker, the Customs Department monitors and controls the cross-border movement of people and goods. Through partnerships with the BPS, the Customs Department works to interdict contraband items and illicit substances into and out of Bermuda. Since 2018, the Customs Department has actioned approximately 2000 seizures of goods. In the same time period, Customs has intercepted 8 shipments that contained firearm components, ammunition, spent ammunition, or pepper spray.

Mr. Speaker, to support the Customs Department, the Government allocated funds for the relocation and refurbishment of several of the Customs facilities, including the Cargo Terminal and the Yachting Facility. A recent upgrade of the Department’s X-Ray equipment has enhanced the Department’s ability to scan containers and shipments to ensure that dangerous weapons do not enter Bermuda. The public will note that the Customs Automated Processing System [CAPS], and upgrades to the Department’s IT infrastructure have made declaring and processing shipments through Customs less onerous and time-consuming.

Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service

Mr. Speaker, this Government was innovative in keeping the airport open when the requirements for airport rescue firefighting services were amended as a result of an audit of Skyport in 2022. The urgent need for airport rescue-certified firefighters was initially met through a contract with a Canadian company to provide overseas firefighters. The BFRS recruited and trained 34 firefighters to replace the overseas contingent.

Mr. Speaker, this was no easy feat. The recruitment required the Government to reallocate funds to cover the salaries of the new firefighters. The new firefighters were then put through intense and expedited training to ensure their readiness for service before the contract with the Canadian company expired. The Government is pleased that the Airport Operations Division of the BFRS is now manned by a full complement of Bermudian certified airport rescue firefighters.

Royal Bermuda Regiment

Mr. Speaker, the Royal Bermuda Regiment has undergone significant changes under the administration of this Government. Ending conscription with the RBR featured in our 2017 party platform and the subsequent Throne Speech. That promise was delivered in July 2018 with the enactment of the Defence Amendment Act 2018. Soldiers are now enlisted into the Regiment on a voluntary basis. Despite initial concern that the Regiment would not be able to raise the required number of soldiers through volunteers alone, the Regiment continues to flourish. While the number of soldiers enlisted has been reduced in comparison to the numbers obtained with conscription, the quality of recruits has been an immense benefit to the Regiment. The Regiment’s operational effectiveness has not been affected as soldiers are trained to be multi-skilled, and the retention rate is longer in comparison to those soldiers enlisted through conscription.

Mr. Speaker, in February 2020, the Regiment’s Coast Guard Unit was established. The Coast Guard initially worked with the Marine Police to bolster inshore patrol capabilities during the busy summer boating season. The Coast Guard has since evolved into the sole agency with responsibility for maritime security in Bermuda. The Coast Guard provides twenty-four-hour on-duty capability during the summer boating season and is available year-round to assist with marine distress incidents. The ongoing evolution of The Coast Guard will create expanded opportunities for young Bermudians and promote skills development in the area of marine security.

Disaster Risk Reduction and Mitigation Team

Mr. Speaker, the Disaster Risk Reduction and Mitigation Team is the team within the Ministry of National Security Headquarters that is responsible for national disaster mitigation and response planning. To the uninformed, the team may be thought of as the team that helps after hurricanes; however, under the administration of this Government, the team has evolved into much more.

Mr. Speaker, the Disaster Risk Reduction and Mitigation Team fosters relationships with other government agencies and external stakeholders to ensure that Bermuda is prepared to respond to a large-scale disaster. The team has facilitated stakeholders’ engagement in several areas including multi-agency preparedness, cruise ship and port disaster planning exercises, food security planning, evacuation planning, search and rescue operations, and the safe transport and storage of chemicals.

Cybersecurity Unit

Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members will recall that since 2019, Cybersecurity is within the portfolio of the Ministry of National Security. The Ministry of National Security has developed a comprehensive set of Information Systems Security Policies and a Risk Management Programme in alignment with industry standards. These policies and programmes are being implemented across the Public Service to further protect from potential theft, fraud, and unauthorized access thereby strengthening the overall security of the government’s Information Systems.

Mr. Speaker, in August 2022, the Cabinet approved a Cybersecurity Unit, inclusive of a National Cybersecurity Incident Response team. The Cybersecurity Unit underwent a National Cyber Risk Assessment by the UK Home Office in November 2022, which highlighted Bermuda’s strengths and weaknesses in the Cybersecurity space.

Most recently, Mr. Speaker, the Ministry established the Cybersecurity Act 2024 to provide for the protection of Bermuda’s Critical National Information Infrastructures. Additionally, the Computer Misuse Act 2024 repealed and replaced the 1996 Act in order to align Bermuda with the requirements of the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime. Amendments to additional legislation are forthcoming in furtherance of this aim. The Cybersecurity Unit is evidence of the Government’s commitment to promoting cybersecurity in Bermuda, particularly of the Government and other Critical National Information Infrastructure. The Unit is now a legislated body that will continue its work to prevent, prepare for, and respond to cyber incidents in Bermuda.

Mr. Speaker, the initiatives, policies, and programmes of the Ministry of National Security, and its Departments are representative of the Ministry’s aim of keeping Bermuda safe. The Government will continue to direct resources towards programmes and policies that improve the lives of Bermudians and support them in their personal aim to be productive citizens.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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