POLICE WEEK - 2014
By all accounts this year’s Police Week, celebrating the 135th Anniversary of the founding of the Bermuda Police on 1st October 1879, has been phenomenally successful.
CONVOY OF POLICE VEHICLES
The week started off on our official anniversary date, 1st October, with a Convoy of 31 Police vehicles travelling the entire length of the Island, from Sandys Parish to St. George’s then into Hamilton, passing more than 30 schools on its journey. Thousands of schoolchildren came out to see the convoy which was hailed a great success. CLICK HERE for an article in the Royal Gazette.
A huge hit in the convoy was a “never before seen concept police vehicle “ produced by CedarBridge students in cooperation with Noble Auto (CLICK HERE for article in Bernews. To see more of this spectacular convoy CLICK HERE for Slideshow 1 on Bernews http://bernews.com/2014/10/slideshow-video-police-vehicle-convoy/
And CLICK HERE for Slideshow 2 on Bernews
On Saturday 4th October the Police Service put on the annual Police Pedal Cycle Gymkhana, first held in 1969, and organized by Raymond Sousa, Gary Perinchief and myself - Roger Sherratt. The gymkhana had been held for some 20 years and then stopped, but it was revived 8 years ago to be held during Police Week. It takes place at the Police Field, along very similar lines to the original gymkhanas, and is still proving very popular with children. The chief organizer is now Cliff Roberts who does a fabulous job with the support of a great team of volunteers. CLICK HERE for an article in the Royal Gazette for what was described as a “ resounding success”.
INTERFAITH SERVICE
A well attended Interfaith Service was held at the Police Recreation Club on Sunday morning 5th October.
SENIORS TEA
One of the highlights of the week was the Seniors Tea held at Pier 6 on Front Street, attended by more than 400 seniors who were treated to lunch and great entertainment. Retired Woman Inspector Jean Vickers was honoured at this gathering. CLICK HERE for a lovely article about Jean and the Seniors Lunch published in the Royal Gazette.
HISTORIC LECTURE ON HISTORY OF THE BERMUDA POLICE
On Tuesday evening Roger Sherratt gave a talk at the TN Tatem auditorium on the History of the Bermuda Police, with Chris Wilcox providing a series of vignettes of interesting cases dealt with by the Police. The event was very attended and those in attendance included the descendants of several outstanding officers who were mentioned during the talk, including the families of Charles Edward “D.O.” Simons, and Vernon Jackson. Also in attendance were Jean Vickers and Wentworth Christopher, both of whom were on the very first Basic Training Course held at Prospect in 1962.
CLICK HERE for article about the lecture and other Police Week activities
Editors note – I will make every effort to publish this talk on our website as soon as possible.
ART EXHIBITION AND AUCTION
The 2014 Police Week Art Exhibition & Silent Auction took place at the Prospect Police Recreation Club during week, with the PRC Hall transformed into an art gallery featuring various offerings, including paintings and handmade quilts, which were all produced by current and former officers and staff of the Bermuda Police Service. CLICK HERE for an article and slideshow of the exhibition published on Bernews.
PARADE OF STAFF
An unprecedented “Parade of Staff” was held on Wednesday morning 8th October when present and past members of the Police Service, together with present and former civilian staff, along with present and former members of the Police Reserves, marched from the new Police Station on Court Street, led by the Bermuda Regiment Band. Some 400 persons participated in the parade which traveled down to Court Street to Front Street, then along Front Street to the birdcage where retired Inspector Jean Vickers was directing traffic!
Commissioner Michael DeSilva, at the head of the parade, stopped to have his photo taken with Jean, surrounded by parade members (CLICK HERE for photo and full report in the Royal Gazette), and he then escorted Jean up to City Hall where all those assembled had an iconic group photo taken on the steps of City Hall. The public were treated to two pewrformances in front of City Hall by the Band of the Royal Bahamas Police Band who were visiting the Island especially for the Police Week celebrations. We will publish the photo as soon as possible. CLICK HERE for article and video published on Bernews.
RETIREMENT CEREMONY AND BBQ FOR RETIRED AND FORMER OFFICERS
On Wednesday evening Commissioner DeSilva hosted a BBQ at the Police Club for retired and former officers and staff, and also made a presentation to those officers who have retired in the last 12 months. This was very well attended and guests included three of our oldest retirees, Gladwin “Doc” Hall and Dudley Swan, accompanied by their wives who happen to be sisters, and Dudley Proctor who had also attended the Parade of Staff.
Two guests from overseas were Bob Porter and “Rocky Ironmonger and their wives, all of who are having a fabulous holiday and are attending just about every event put on during Police Week.
Events to follow are:-
SPORTS DAY & EVENING BBQ: being held on Thursday 9th October This popular annual event involved present members of the Service competing with other organizations such as the Bermuda Regiment, the Fire Service and the Prison Service.
ANNUAL MEMORIAL SERVICE
This service was held at the Police Cemetery, Prospect at 11am on Friday 10th October followed by lunch in the Police Club for those attending. This year it was very well attended, with a high turn-out of both present and former members of the Service, along with families of those who have passed. It was made extra special by the appearance of the Royal Bahamas Police Band and an excellent Honour Guard from the BPS. Wreaths were laid by Commissioner DeSilva, H.E. The Governor, Commandant Cannoth Roberts of the Bermuda Reserve Police, Roger Sherratt, President of the Bermuda Ex-Police Officer's Association on behalf of ExPo, and family members of those who have passed. Police Memorial Service 2014 for a video of the service published in the Royal Gazette.
POLICE BALL
Being held at the Fairmont Southamptn Princess Hotel on Friday evening
POLICE TATTOO
This is the culminating event of the week involving the Royal Bahamas Police Force Band, the Band of the Bermuda Regiment, the Island Pipe Band, the North Village Band, and several other events including a gymnastics display, and an obstacle course. This event, starting at 7pm, is free to the public and all are invited.