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Latest Interesting Article

Interesting Articles

 

This section features interesting articles written by former colleagues on a wide range of subjects related to the Bermuda Police Service or recounting personal experiences.   We are delighted to receive articles from anyone who wishes to put pen to paper, and will assist with editing where necessary.

 

 

Fiftieth Anniversary for Six in Bermuda

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Interesting Articles

Fiftieth Anniversary for Six in Bermuda

 

Six celebrate their 50th Anniversary in Bermuda
(l-r)  John Dale, Howard Cutts, David Smith,
Neil Anderson, Iain Morrison, and Roger Bydon

 

We’re delighted to report that six members of the group of 20 recruits who arrived in Bermuda 50 years ago to join the Police Force, got together at “Harry’s at the Waterfront” Restaurant here in Bermuda on 5th May 2023 to celebrate their 50th Anniversary year since  arriving here in 1973

The six former police officers are John Dale, Howard Cutts, David Smith, Neil Anderson, Iain Morrison and Roger Brydon, and we hear they all had a great time catching up, reminiscing and celebrating their 50 years in Bermuda.

Howard Cutts, Dave Smith, and Neil Anderson are all now retired and still residing here on Island, while Roger Brydon spends most of his time in Kentucky but loves to visit us quite often.  

Howard Cutts is enjoying retirement and is doing some traveling, going to the gym  (for cardiac training only!)  and playing golf.

Neil Anderson who served from 1973 - 1999 worked in property maintenance with White Rose Management after retirement from the BPS.  Employment at St. John's Church in Pembroke and its adjoining residences led to Neil  becoming caretaker to Pembroke Sunday School in 2011 where he continued until getting his own "piece of the rock" at which time he finally retired and now  spends his time gardening and looking after his property.

David Smith served from 1973 - 1981, during which time he worked in Central (Hamilton), Traffic and "B" Department at Headquarters.  In 1982 he joined the Bank of Bwermuda and had a successful career in finance until 2009 when he started his own company working with private clients. David is an avid golfer and is a member of the Mid Ocean Cub where he's served as Captain.  David has also served as President of the Bermuda Rugby Union.

Iain and Jennifer Morrison with their daughter Alanna

 

Iain Morrison advised us that he and his wife Jennifer are based here in Bermuda but their time is spend between here and Edinburgh, Scotland.  After spending 5 years in Spain, their son Calum now lives back here in Bermuda and works in the reinsurance industry, while their daughter Alanna works on a super yacht and during winters in based in Antigua, and in summer generally in Newport and Maine, USA.

 
Roger has his hands full with his horse 
"Pancho" officially "Kamikazi Kid", and his
black labrador Bentley or "Ben"
 
Karen is at home riding her
beautiful Quarter horse mare "SeaSea"
under the watchful eye of "Ben"

 

Roger Brydon served from 1973 - 1998, retiring as Inspector but he resided here in Bermuda for 39 years with careers in the Bermuda Police, Aviation Security, and Manager at a start-up private jet company.  He re-married and moved to Kentucky in 2012 where, with his wife Karen they have a 10 acre home in a large horse community north of Louisville.  Roger says they've now reduced the number of horses to two, and together with their six cats and a black Labrador they can just about manage their work load!  Roger explains that Karen is the horse expert in the family while he fills the role of "Equine Effluent Disposal Technician"!  Both of Roger's daughters are married and living in Bermuda (plus 3 grandchildren and one on the way) so Roger and Karen try to visit as much they are able, enjoying the benefits of Island and country living.

John and Betty Dale

 

It was John Dale who forwarded the photo of the group of six to us.  John and his wife Betty both keep busy and active here on Island and although John had a 2nd knee replacement last year he and Betty like to keep fit and they swim regularly up at the National  pool  at Prospect.  Both are active in their church, and John is still involved with Lodge activities and “acting gigs” with the Dockyard Historical Walking Tour.  CLICK HERE to read more about John in an article we published here on our ExPo website late last year.

The other 14 members of their intake back in 1973, were Paul Collins, Angus Craig, Stuart Donaldson,  Andrew Donaldson*, Roger Hanley, John Harper, Stuart Innes*, Richard Ironmonger, Anthony Laughton*, Malcolm Martin, Christopher Moyse*, Andrew Smith, Francis Thom, and John Walsh.

On a sad note,  we lost both Stuart Innes (CLICK HERE for our article about the passing of Stuart last November,) and Tony Laughton (CLICK HERE for our article about Tony's funeral in the UK. )

Dave Cooper, Iain Morrison and Roger Brydon at rhe
funeral for Stuart Innes at the Police Cemetery, Prospect
 

We had previously reported that Chris Moyse had died in 2016 (CLICK HERE for our report.

Very sadly, Andrew 'Andy' Donaldson died in very tragic circumstances in March 1994. Having left Bermuda in 1978 Andy joined the Northern Constabulary in Scotland. We heard from Iain Morrison that while serving as the Force Crime Prevention Officer, based in Inverness, Andy was killed in an RTA. He was driving south to visit his family when he was involved in a head-on collision with an American tourist, who was driving on the wrong side of the road. Iain commented "this was a terrible tragedy.  Andy was a good friend and a nice guy."  

On 1st January this year we published an article “Are you one of the 78 from 73?  This article is about the 78 young men and women who joined the Bermuda Police during the year 1973 and it lists each of those 78 officers together with the date of joining for each one. (CLICK HERE to view the article) If you are one of those officers we would be delighted to hear from.

 

Invitation to write "Then and Now" article - about YOU!

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Interesting Articles

ROUGH OUTLINE FOR “THEN AND NOW” ARTICLES

 

Our website,  which you can find at expobermuda.com  has been designed specifically to help former and retired Bermuda police officers keep in touch with each other, something that has been severely lacking,  and also to  describe the history of the Police Force in the words of those who actually served in it.   One of the major features is our “Then and Now” section in which we invite former officers such as yourself to provide us with your life story and reminiscences of your time in the Force.   This could be very brief, i.e. just a couple of pages, or as long as you wish.

 
Judging from the response so far I would say that the vast majority have enjoyed the experience of putting pen to paper, and several have commented about doing it for their grandkids!  Here is a suggested format for the sort of information that might be included:-

  • Brief details of when and where born and raised and what you did before joining the Police;
  • What attracted you to join the Bermuda Police?
  • When did you join, who with, Training School group etc.?
  • Where did you serve (Central, Training School, CID, Operations etc.) and roughly when?
  • Promotions, decorations,  commendations etc. (if you wish to include);
  • Sports and social activities while in Police;
  • Memorable characters both in and outside the Police  Force;
  • Outstanding/unusual/ humorous incidents  etc.
  • When you retired or resigned from the  Force?
  • Activities, employment, hobbies etc since  leaving the Force including present situation and location.

PHOTOS (if  possible) Early photo of you in police uniform;

  • Photos of you during service in the Bermuda Police Service  and especially photos showing you with fellow officers at special events, parades, sports activities, social gatherings, farewell parties etc.
  • Photos of your activities since leaving the Force;
  • Present photo of you, perhaps with family  etc.

Ideally, the photos should be scanned and emailed in JPEG format, and in the highest possible quality so they reproduce well.  In some cases I’ve received photos through the mail, scanned them myself, and then returned them.  So far we’ve amassed over 3000 photos. Other sections of the website include:-

  • “Who,  Where and When?” featuring photographs of perhaps a group of  police officers doing something unusual,  playing a sport, having an  office party etc. where we can post the photo on the front page and ask people  to write in and try to guess who is in the photo, and where and when it was  taken.   If you have any suitable photos they would be much appreciated.
  • ‘Hall of Fame’ for former officers who are now deceased.  If you know a family member of any deceased officer who might be interested in submitting an article please let me know.
  • ‘Interesting Articles’  - These can be about any police-related story or any topic that might be of interest to your old colleagues.  We ceretainly invite you to write articles for this section of our ExPo website.
  • 'Keeping in Touch'  -  This a popular section of our webste where we invite YOU to let us know what you're doing these days.  We use it to publish any interesting information we receive about our members, Unfortunately, this includes when we received the sad news that our members have died, but we try to include as much positive news as possible. For example, if you have positive news about  get togethers with other members,  special events with family members (please include photos) and any news that you think might be of interest to your former colleagues, please let us know.  These can often be just a few lines so no need to stress about sending information to us.    

 

 

String of major drug seizures in Bermuda

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Interesting Articles

Drug Photos provided by BPS

Without doubt the Police Narcotics Department has an ever present challenge in its efforts to control the illegal importation of drugs into Bermuda. 

Last Wednesday’s (19th April 2023)  seizure of drugs with an estimated street value of over $14million resulted from an operation carried out by the BPS Drugs Unit, assisted by the Financial Crime Unit, Criminal Investigation Unit and the Tactical Division, with the interception of two vehicles, in which persons who had just left the Executive Jet Facility at the L.F. Wade International Airport were travelling. A subsequent search of the individuals and their luggage, led to the recovery of a significant quantity of the controlled drug, cannabis.

The seizure was part of an operation dubbed, “Operation FURUD” and also resulted in the arrest of nine suspects, one of whom is a Senior Customs Officer. As part of the operation, warrants were executed at a number of residences in Pembroke, Hamilton parish, Warwick and Southampton.

Acting Detective Superintendent, Sherwin Joseph, the officer in charge of Crime Division stated: “This seizure, has led to the dismantling of a major drug trafficking ring and left Bermuda a much safer place. The BPS is well aware that efforts such as this, aimed at trafficking drugs into the island, often involve the illegal importation of firearms and other contraband. We will continue to work with our partners at our ports of entry, to strengthen existing security controls, and protect our community.”

The ongoing success of the fight against illegal drugs is clearly illustrated  by the following summary of some of the major drug seizures carried our during the last 12 months as reported in this morning’s Royal Gazette (CLICK HERE to view the article):-

  • March 14, 2022: a “substantial”quantity of drugs valued at about $45,000 was seized after a raid on a Pembroke home. A man was arrested and more than $38,000 in cash was seized.
  • March 31, 2022: “Operation Mizar”netted 58lb of cannabis worth an estimated street value of $1.2 million after a shipping container was searched. Four people were arrested and three Warwick homes were searched.
  • April 7, 2022: a “major drug-trafficking ring”at LF Wade Airport was disturbed after police seized $800,000 worth of cannabis from homes in Hamilton Parish, Devonshire, and Southampton. Six people were arrested following the raids, including three airport workers.
  • July 2, 2022: Three menwere arrested after drugs, drug equipment, and cash were seized from a house on Mount Hill Road, Pembroke. Police did not confirm the amount of cash or drugs found, nor what the suspected drugs were.
  • August 11, 2022: “Operation Algedi”conducted a raids at 18 properties across the island. Cocaine, live ammunition, more than $300,000 worth of cash, and several high-value goods believed to be bought with the proceeds of crime were all taken. Five people were arrested during the raids.
  • August 4, 2022: a “major”drug-trafficking ring was busted after police seized $500,000 worth of cannabis, cocaine, heroin, and ecstasy during raids on five Smith’s houses. Eight illegal dogs, $25,000 in cash, a hydroponics system, and several “high-value goods suspected to be acquired from the proceeds of criminality” were also taken. Six people were arrested during the raids.
  • October 24, 2022: “Operation Minotaur”netted $5 million worth of cannabis from several residences. The raids were sparked after a shipping container filled with almost 120lb of cannabis was seized. Three people were arrested following the incident.
  • November 14, 2022: $1.3 million worth of cannabis and heroin were taken from a residence at Collector’s Close, Smith’s. Five men and one woman were arrested following the raid.
  • February 7, 2023: a raid of two housesin Devonshire and Smith’s netted packages of cocaine and cannabis with a combined street value of $30,000. Four illegal dogs, a hydroponics system used to grow the cannabis indoors, and more than $85,000 in cash were also seized. Seven people were arrested in connection with the raid.
  • March 15, 2023: Police seized $1.9 million worth of cannabisfrom a shipping container during raids at a Hamilton business and homes in Pembroke and Devonshire. Four people were arrested, none of whom were connected to the business.

We wish the BPS and HM Customs continued success in their efforts to seriously curtail the importation of illegal drugs into the Island.

More Articles …

  1. 50th Anniversary of Assassination of Governor Sir Richard Sharples
  2. ExPo Cocktail Reception and AGM - February 2023
  3. The Life and Crimes of Kenneth "Eggs" Smith
  4. Funeral for retired Deputy Commissioner Harold Moniz
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