Bermuda’s first “detective officer” — who could not officially be promoted because he was black — will be among a string of heroes whose stories are being told as part of Bermuda Police Service’s 135th anniversary celebrations.

The fascinating but criminally unfair tale of the talented and highly respected Charles Edward ‘DO’ Simons is just one of those being shared at a special lecture on the history of policing on the Island on Tuesday.

The talk will be conducted by police history expert Roger Sherratt, a retired chief inspector and president of the Bermuda Ex-Police Officers’ Association, who described Simons as Bermuda’s “first detective and the best we’ve ever had”.

“He served from 1902 until 1935, when he retired,” Mr Sherratt said. “He was in the police force at a time when black people weren’t promoted, certainly not to inspector. So he was never promoted because of the time.

“They called him ‘detective officer’, a way of saying you’re special but we don’t have to pay you.

“He was a phenomenal detective and his is a fantastic story, I love the story. I’ve been working with his granddaughter, Marilyn Olivia (Simons) Simmons.

“Not many people will know anything about him, it was so long ago. But it’s a fabulous story.”

After joining the police, Simons’s obvious talent as an investigator shone and he was renowned as a thorough and conscientious officer.

He became the first ‘detective officer’ in 1919, earning the nickname DO, and was the Island’s only detective for years, travelling from East to West on his pedal bike to crack crimes.

Famous for his sharp white suit and Panama hat, he helped to set up Bermuda’s fingerprint department and even risked his life in the line of duty — he was once shot at but the bullet missed him, and was attacked by a knifeman and by a man brandishing a hoe.

Mr Sherratt, who joined the Service in 1964 and served until 1992, said his lecture would include many other “interesting stories about what it was like to be a police officer” when the Service launched back in 1879.

“There were the same problems we have now,” he said. “Before we had cars there were tremendous problems with accidents on pedal cycles — traffic isn’t a modern phenomenon.

“We have always had problems police have had to deal with — accidents, murders, violence. Within a few months of the Sea Venture wreck one of the sailors killed one of the others.

“There’s always been a need for police and making sure law and order is kept.”

The development of officer training will also be explored, with Mr Sherratt revealing that “when policemen first started, there was no training at all”, plus a look at the progress of communications and technology.

A highlight of the lecture will be a collection of old photographs of the Service “that some people have never seen”.

“I’ve just acquired a photo of old Hamilton Station taken in 1890,” Mr Sherratt said. “It was purchased from Australia, of all places.”

He is collecting as many old pictures of the Service as he can for publication in a coffee-table book.

“It’s a book on the history of Bermuda Police Service and is coming out before Christmas,” he said. “It’ll be a real collectors’ item. Some of the photos may be seen for the first time.”

Mr Sherratt’s lecture is part of a string of free public events being held as part of next week’s Police Week festivities, which are helping to mark the Service’s 135th anniversary.

The historian repeated calls by Commissioner of Police Michael DeSilva for former and retired police officers to join the Parade of Staff on Wednesday morning, in which officers, Reserves and civilian staff past and present will march through Hamilton and gather at City Hall for a commemorative photograph.

Mr DeSilva told The Royal Gazette last week that “we ideally want to get as many former staff as we have available to pitch up at Hamilton Police Station on October 8 for the Parade of Staff — a visual representation of the past and the present”.

Mr Sherratt said they wanted to recognise “all the people who have contributed to the Service over the years” and that “we hope everybody turns out”.

Among those expected to attend are Carole Royer, “the first ever civilian to work for Bermuda Police Force”.

“She served in the early 1950s,” Mr Sherratt said. “Bermuda Police took over the place in Prospect from the British Army. Carole was with the Army but stayed to work with the Police.”

He revealed that other former officers who now live overseas are also expected to attend.

Mr Sherratt also highlighted that the Service was hosting a special barbecue at the Police Recreation Club at Prospect on Wednesday at 7pm.

“The Commissioner has kindly invited all retired and former officers to attend,” he said.

The Service will pay tribute to fellow officers who have passed away at a special memorial service on Friday at 11am, at the Police Cemetery at Prospect.

“We’re remembering police officers who passed on — those who died during the course of service and a special mention for those who died in the past 12 months,” Mr Sherratt said.

Police Week closes with a bang next Saturday with the Tattoo, featuring the Royal Bahamas Police Force Band and the Bermuda Regiment Band.

Mr Sherratt’s free history lecture will be from 7-9pm on Tuesday at TN Tatem Middle School. The event has been moved from BUEI.

Former officers and staff are urged to attend the Parade of Staff by meeting at Hamilton Police Station at 11am on Wednesday. The parade will go down Court Street, along Front Street, up Queen Street, and end at City Hall. The public are encouraged to watch and show their appreciation for the Service.