10 Officers' Contracts to Expire
Thu, 2015-07-16
Commissioner of Police Michael DeSilva - The BPS has been carefully considering our options to reach the Government’s three-year budget reduction targets. This year, we do not have the benefit of the “Furlough Day” to meet the 5% target and we must also position ourselves for a further 3% reduction in 2016/17. We have been reducing our operational budget each year since 2009. Six years on, there is not much left to trim and I now have to consider reducing the cost of our police labour. Currently there is no agreement with the Bermuda Police Association to reduce the cost of salaries and benefits and that leaves me with a final option of reducing the number of officers.
I have therefore taken the decision to allow 10 police officers’ contracts to expire over the next few months. The contract expirations are spread over time to help reduce operational impact. Reducing the number of police officers has only been considered as a last resort and this has been a very difficult decision for me to take. However, more contracts will likely be allowed to expire in 2016 to assist in meeting the budget reduction targets. This will not be good news to anyone but it is clear that it is not possible to keep all of our officers in service. Operational effectiveness remains my primary focus and I wish to assure the public that the effects on our core law enforcement duties will be minimal.
Road Traffic Collision
Around 6:45PM on Wednesday July 15th, 2015 first responders attend a collision that took place along Scott’s Hill Road Sandys, near the junction with Cricket Lane, involving a private motorcar and a motorcycle. Details are sketchy but it appears that a 66 year old man driving a car and a 33 year old woman riding a motorcycle collided.
As a result, the female cyclist was transported to KEMH where she is being treated for multiple injuries which are not believed to be life threatening.
Inquiries regarding this collision are underway and any witnesses should contact the main police telephone number 295-0011.
Public Advisory
With a noticeable increasing trend of theft involving four wheeled vehicles, the Bermuda Police Service would like to remind the public to properly secure vehicles being left unattended. It is also strongly advised that keys are not left inside unattended vehicles or in places which are easily accessible to would be thieves.
