Police Clarify Handling Of Different Warrants
The Bermuda Police Service is “seeking to distinguish between the enforcement of criminal warrants and the administrative processing of individuals who voluntarily present themselves to address outstanding traffic or parking matters.”
Acting Detective Superintendent Jason Smith, Community Policing Division, said “The Bermuda Police Service [BPS] wishes to provide clarification regarding the management and processing of individuals who are the subject of outstanding warrants, particularly warrants relating to traffic and parking matters.
“17,971 Outstanding Warrants & Approximately $10,483,386 In Outstanding Fines”
“There are currently 17,971 outstanding warrants, representing approximately $10,483,386 in outstanding fines. The volume of outstanding warrants places a significant demand on the resources of the Bermuda Police Service and the wider criminal justice system.
“The BPS continues to enforce outstanding warrants, and it is important to clarify that persons encountered by police who are the subject of criminal warrants will continue to be arrested and processed in accordance with the law. This includes persons identified through routine policing activity, traffic stops, arrests for other offences, or other operational encounters.
“Voluntarily Present Themselves At Hamilton Police Station”
“The BPS is, however, reviewing the process applicable to individuals who voluntarily present themselves at Hamilton Police Station specifically to answer outstanding traffic or parking matter warrants.
“At present, these individuals are arrested and processed through the police custody suite, held pending their court appearance, and subsequently returned to the police station following disposal of their matter so that they can be formally booked out. This process requires significant police and custody resources.
“Current figures indicate that the BPS receives approximately five to ten voluntary warrant walk-ins each day, with the booking process at both ends taking approximately 30 minutes per individual.
“The scale of warrant-related policing is further demonstrated by recent arrest figures. In the last seven days, the BPS made 57 arrests, of which 24 were for warrants.
“This means that approximately four out of every ten arrests during that period were warrant-related. In one instance, an individual arrested on Friday, 21 August 2026, was found to have five outstanding warrants.
“So Far In 2026, Made 530 Arrests For Warrants”
“So far in 2026, the BPS has made 530 arrests for warrants. These arrests have frequently arisen in circumstances where individuals were already being detained or arrested for other offences, including:
- Dangerous driving;
- Driving while disqualified;
- Driving under the influence;
- Possession of a bladed article;
- Drug offences;
- Assault;
- Wilful damage;
- Assault on police;
- Violently resisting police;
- Cannabis cultivation;
- Handling stolen goods;
- Trespassing; and
- Burglary.
“The BPS is therefore seeking to distinguish between the enforcement of criminal warrants and the administrative processing of individuals who voluntarily present themselves to address outstanding traffic or parking matters.
“Improve The Efficiency Of The Warrant Process”
“Under this new process, and with the support of the Senior Magistrate, individuals who voluntarily present themselves for the purpose of addressing an outstanding traffic or parking warrant would attend Hamilton Police Station and present themselves. A police officer will then escort them to the Magistrates’ Court, for the 9:30am plea court session, rather than being arrested and processed through the police custody suite.
“The proposed arrangement would require the individual to attend the Hamilton Police Station Monday, Wednesday or Friday between 8am and 8:45am.
“This Warrant-Walk-In is intended to improve the efficiency of the warrant process while ensuring that outstanding matters continue to be addressed through the appropriate judicial process.
“Voluntary Walk-In Arrangement Does Not Apply To Criminal Warrants”
“Importantly, this voluntary walk-in arrangement does not apply to criminal warrants. Where a person is encountered by police and is found to be the subject of an outstanding criminal warrant, the individual will continue to be arrested, detained and brought before the court as soon as practicable in accordance with established procedures.
“The BPS recognises the importance of enforcing outstanding warrants and recovering outstanding fines. At the same time, given the significant volume of outstanding warrants and the demands placed on police resources, it is appropriate to explore more efficient methods of dealing with individuals who voluntarily come forward to resolve their outstanding traffic and parking matters.
“Individuals Remain Accountable For Their Outstanding Obligations”
“The objective is not to diminish the enforcement of warrants, but rather to ensure that police resources are proportionately and effectively deployed while individuals remain accountable for their outstanding obligations through the courts.”
“There are currently 17,971 outstanding warrants, representing approximately $10,483,386 in outstanding fines”.
Well done BPS!