Press Releases
Prioritise Safety: Selling or Buying Items Online Involving Unknown Persons
Sat, 2024-12-28
The Bermuda Police Service (BPS) is urging residents to prioritise their safety, if intending to meet up with any unknown individual, to buy or sell items advertised online.
Three reports have been received between the 24th and 26th December 2024, where an unknown individual stole an item offered for sale on Facebook Marketplace, after meeting unsuspecting sellers at three separate prearranged locations.
The stolen items included popular brand name electronics. Inquiries are ongoing regarding all of these matters, with the possibility some instances may be linked.
Noting the popularity of Facebook Marketplace and other similar online commerce sites, the following proactive advice is strongly recommended.
Safety First
View the buyer or seller profile. Take a screenshot of it, if possible and take note of the profile’s web address (URL). Check how long the profile has been active, when it was created and how many friends the account has.
Be wary of newly created profiles that only have a few friends, or no friends at all. Also, be suspicious of promoted accounts that have testimonials from recently created profiles.
Ask for a phone number and speak to the person before meeting.
Never go alone. Bring a relative or friend along and let other family members or friends know where and when the exchange is taking place.
Meet in well-lit, public areas before the hours of darkness. Avoid inviting an unknown individual to your home.
Take note of the vehicle used by the buyer or seller, including the colour, type and its licence plate. Report any suspicious activity to the police immediately by calling 211, or 911 in an emergency.
Online reports can also be made via the BPS community portal, https://portal.police.bm.
Read MoreInvestigation Ongoing After Two Car Devonshire Collision Monday
Tue, 2024-12-24
An investigation into the circumstances regarding a two car collision that occurred at the junction of Middle Road and Tee Street in Devonshire, around 11am Monday, 23rd December 2024, is ongoing.
It appears that one car was being driven along Middle Road, while the other car was being driven along Tee Street, when the vehicles collided at the junction.
At this time, there is no indication that anyone involved was seriously hurt.
The driver of one of the cars, understood to be an 89-year-old Devonshire man, was transported to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital via ambulance for medical assessment.
The driver and passenger of the other car were understood to be a 67-year-old St. George’s man and a 39-year-old St. George’s woman.
Apparently the St. George’s man was unhurt, but attended the hospital for medical assessment as a precaution and was later discharged.
Traffic diversions at the collision site were in place for approximately two hours, while the scene was processed. Both damaged cars were later towed away.
Any witnesses that have not already come forward, are encouraged to contact Constable Jeral Jackman by calling 211, or e-mailing jjackman@bps.bm.
Witness Appeal: Confirmed Firearm Incident in the Court Street Area
Mon, 2024-12-23
Around 7:05pm Saturday, 21st December 2024, a confirmed firearm incident occurred in the Court Street, North Hamilton area.
It appears that a white motorcycle, with a rider and pillion passenger dressed in coloured clothing, was travelling along Court Street near the junction with Angle Street, when the pillion passenger discharged a firearm.
There were no reported injuries.
Forensic examination of the scene later confirmed that a firearm had been discharged.
Inquiries continue regarding this confirmed firearm incident and any witnesses or persons with relevant information are encouraged to contact Acting Detective Inspector Anneka Donawa by calling 717-2250, or e-mailing adonawa@bps.bm, at the earliest opportunity.
Any information can also be shared through the Bermuda Police Service online community reporting portal, https://portal.police.bm, or with a police officer you know.
Alternatively, anonymous tips can be provided to Crime Stoppers Bermuda via their independent and confidential hotline 800-8477, or their website www.crimestoppers.bm.
Outcome of Investigation into ACOP Weekes
Tue, 2024-12-17
Deputy Commissioner of Police Na'imah Astwood - "Following an independent investigation into allegations of Gross Misconduct on the part of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACOP), Martin Weekes, it has been determined there is no case to answer.
However an allegation of discreditable conduct arising from the same matter was re-assessed, with the outcome being Management Advice, in accordance with Order 18 (5b) of the Police Conduct Orders 2016.
The allegations arose from a personal WhatsApp conversation, which took place in 2018, between ACOP Weekes and a former BPS officer. This conversation, which was referenced in a Court of Appeal in its judgment, was later brought to the attention of the Commissioner of Police.
The investigation was conducted by a ranking officer from a United Kingdom police force.
ACOP Weekes is scheduled to resume the role of ACOP Operations on December 23, 2024.
As a delegated Appropriate Authority in the Bermuda Police Service, I do not typically provide detailed outcomes for such matters.
However, given the rank of ACOP Weekes, the public attention this matter has garnered and in the interest of transparency, this outcome has been shared."
Assistant Commissioner Weekes pictured below.
Khiry Furbert Murder Investigation
Mon, 2024-12-16
Acting Detective Chief Inspector Clifford Roberts – “It is with regret that the Bermuda Police Service (BPS) can now confirm the death of Mr. Khiry Furbert, in his 34th year of life and father to an 11 year old daughter. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Furbert during this time.
At 12:42am on Monday, 16th December 2024, police received a ‘911’ call from a member of the public who reported seeing a male laying in the road along Tribe Road No. 5 Ord Road, Paget next to a vehicle. Police and medical personnel attended the report where Mr. Furbert was found unresponsive. Lifesaving efforts were commenced and he was transported to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital by ambulance. Upon further examination at the hospital, Mr. Furbert was found to have suffered and succumbed to a fatal gunshot wound.
The scene has been processed by the BPS Forensic team and forensic evidence was recovered.
Officers from the Serious Crime Unit have commenced and are actively conducting house to house inquires and retrieving CCTV in an effort to progress this matter.
The next of kin have been notified and a Family Liaison Officer has been appointed to assist the family during this tragic period.
Public safety is one of our top priorities and we want to assure you that officers are actively investigating this incident. The investigative team would like to speak with anyone who may have seen Mr. Furbert earlier in the evening of Sunday 15th December 2024 leading up to the time of his death.
Be assured - we will continue to deploy resources in areas affected by crime so that our neighbourhoods remain safe and secure. Our officers are actively engaging with the community, and we encourage anyone with information related to this case to come forward to provide any information that may assist.
If you were in the area of Tribe Road No. 5, Ord Road Paget and may have seen anyone or heard anything suspicious, whether a person or vehicle, sometime between midnight and 12:45am just prior to the incident, please let us know. No matter how insignificant you may believe it to be.
You may contact the Senior Investigative Officer, Detective Sergeant 2193 Odessa Philip at ophilip@bps.bm, 717-2193, or you can call the Crime Stoppers hotline 800-8477. You can also utilise the BPS online community reporting portal https://portal.police.bm. Should you be more comfortable telling an officer you know, please reach out to them.
Again, the BPS extend their deepest condolences to Mr. Furbert’s family.”
Confirmed Firearms Incident [Updated]
Mon, 2024-12-16
Around 12:45 a.m. on Monday, December 16, 2024, police received a report of a male lying on the roadway along Tribe Road Number 5, Paget.
Units were dispatched to the location where they found the male unresponsive with an apparent head wound, lying near an unattended motorcar with the engine running.
EMTs were on scene and commenced life-saving efforts which continued as the victim was transported to the King Edward the VII Memorial Hospital for further treatment.
A forensic support unit attended the scene and recovered evidence to suggest a firearm had discharged at that location. However, there were no reports of gunshots in the area.
An investigation into this matter has now commenced and anyone with information or, who may have seen any suspicious activity occurring in the area of Tribe Road Number 5 and Ord Road, Paget, prior to this incident is asked to call the main police number, 295-0011.
You may also call the independent and confidential Crime Stoppers number, 800-8477 or, share the information via the police Community Reporting Portal at https://portal.police.bm.
Alternatively, if you feel more comfortable doing so, we urge you to provide the information to a police officer with whom you are familiar.
Update: Acting Detective Chief Inspector Clifford Roberts – “It is with regret that the Bermuda Police Service (BPS) can now confirm the death of Mr. Khiry Furbert, in his 34th year of life and father to an 11 year old daughter. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Furbert during this time.
At 12:42am on Monday, 16th December 2024, police received a ‘911’ call from a member of the public who reported seeing a male laying in the road along Tribe Road No. 5 Ord Road, Paget next to a vehicle. Police and medical personnel attended the report where Mr. Furbert was found unresponsive. Lifesaving efforts were commenced and he was transported to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital by ambulance. Upon further examination at the hospital, Mr. Furbert was found to have suffered and succumbed to a fatal gunshot wound.
The scene has been processed by the BPS Forensic team and forensic evidence was recovered.
Officers from the Serious Crime Unit have commenced and are actively conducting house to house inquires and retrieving CCTV in an effort to progress this matter.
The next of kin have been notified and a Family Liaison Officer has been appointed to assist the family during this tragic period.
Public safety is one of our top priorities and we want to assure you that officers are actively investigating this incident. The investigative team would like to speak with anyone who may have seen Mr. Furbert earlier in the evening of Sunday 15th December 2024 leading up to the time of his death.
Be assured - we will continue to deploy resources in areas affected by crime so that our neighbourhoods remain safe and secure. Our officers are actively engaging with the community, and we encourage anyone with information related to this case to come forward to provide any information that may assist.
If you were in the area of Tribe Road No. 5, Ord Road Paget and may have seen anyone or heard anything suspicious, whether a person or vehicle, sometime between midnight and 12:45am just prior to the incident, please let us know. No matter how insignificant you may believe it to be.
You may contact the Senior Investigative Officer, Detective Sergeant 2193 Odessa Philip at ophilip@bps.bm, 717-2193, or you can call the Crime Stoppers hotline 800-8477. You can also utilise the BPS online community reporting portal https://portal.police.bm. Should you be more comfortable telling an officer you know, please reach out to them.
Again, the BPS extend their deepest condolences to Mr. Furbert’s family.”
Officer Dismissed
Fri, 2024-12-13
The Bermuda Police Service (BPS) announces that following a disciplinary hearing, a Police Superintendent has been dismissed from the service without notice.
The dismissal comes after a panel found the officer guilty of conduct that was deemed incompatible with the high standards of integrity required for continued service within the BPS.
Darrin Simons, Commissioner of Police stated, "This decision, while difficult, reflects our unwavering commitment to maintaining the highest standards of integrity within the Bermuda Police Service. We recognize that public trust is paramount in our ability to serve and protect effectively."
This action underscores the BPS's dedication to holding all officers, regardless of rank or length of service, to the same high standards of professional conduct.
The service remains committed to its mission of making Bermuda safer through professional, transparent, and accountable policing.
No further comment will be made.
One Year Since Murder of Steve Parkes, Investigation Remains Active
Wed, 2024-12-11
Detectives continue to investigate the murder of Steve Parkes, which occurred around 7:48pm Monday, 11th December 2023 in the Mary Victoria Road, Devonshire area.
Mr. Parkes was 53-years-old when he was fatally shot outside his home, as he was about to get on his motorcycle.
The investigators renew their appeal for relevant information, in particular from area residents who may have seen any suspicious individuals or vehicles in the Mary Victoria Road, Devonshire neighbourhood on the night Mr. Parkes was killed.
All information received will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Anyone that can assist is encouraged to contact Acting Detective Inspector Anneka Donawa by calling 717-2250, or e-mailing adonawa@bps.bm.
Alternatively, anonymous tips can be provided through the independent and confidential Crime Stoppers Bermuda hotline 800-8477, as well as their website, www.crimestoppers.bm.
Two Car Drivers Treated & Released From Hospital After Collision
Tue, 2024-12-10
Two female car drivers were treated and later discharged from King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, after being involved in a collision around 9:45am Monday, 9th December 2024, at the junction of Court Street and Reid Street, in the City of Hamilton.
It now appears that one of the women involved, said to be a 67-year-old Warwick resident, was driving down Court Street and the other woman, said to be a 46-year-old Sandys parish resident, was driving along Reid Street when they collided at the junction.
Both injured women were transported to hospital via ambulance a short time after.
It is understood that the Court Street traffic light was green at the time.
There were traffic disruptions in the immediate area for approximately two hours while the collision scene was processed. The two damaged cars had to be towed away.
One witness made themselves known to the attending police officers and inquiries continue.
Update: Two Motorcycle Smith’s Parish Collision Investigation Continues
Tue, 2024-12-10
At last check, a 19-year-old local male motorcyclist seriously injured in a collision with another motorcycle rider at the junction of Verdmont Road and St. Mark’s Road in Smith’s parish shortly before 10pm Saturday, 7th December 2024, remained at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit, in stable condition.
The other rider involved, understood to be a 23-year-old local woman, received hospital treatment for her injuries and was later discharged.
It now appears that the 23-year-old was travelling along St. Mark’s Road and the 19-year-old was travelling along Verdmont Road, when the collision occurred at the junction.
Inquiries continue and any witnesses or persons with relevant information are now encouraged to contact Sergeant Milton Hill by calling 211, or e-mailing mjhill@bps.bm.
