Satisfaction with the police has risen “significantly”, according to the Minister of National Security Wayne Perinchief.Mr Perinchief was speaking in the House of Assembly this morning where he read an overview of the results of the 2011 Public Perception Survey.He told the House: “Honourable Members will no doubt recall that it was in March of 2004 that the Bermuda Police Service implemented its first public opinion survey to assess residents’ overall perceptions of the Service and its performance. Follow-up studies were conducted in March 2009 and March 2010.“The overarching message of the public perception survey is that satisfaction with the Bermuda Police Service has risen significantly. Mr Speaker, the public perceive that the BPS is doing a good job overall. Mr. Speaker, there is increased satisfaction with the BPS’ investigation of serious crimes and there is a growing perception that criminals are being caught.“This perception is borne out in reality as we see daily successes achieved by the Bermuda Police Service. Joint interdictive operations have had very public success. Criminals are apprehended quickly and investigations are conducted in a sound and careful manner. Files are well prepared for the DPP and as a result sound results are achieved in the courts.“The increase in violent crime has affected the public’s perception of the amount of crime and that is no great surprise. In spite of that the public are expressing a greater level of confidence in the BPS and this is as a direct result of the effective operations mounted to combat the crimes of violence and antisocial behaviour that has increased in the community.“The men and women of the BPS are on the front line of contact with the public and the circumstances of that contact can be dangerous, frustrating and often challenging. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to observe that a significant majority of those who have had contact with the Police indicate their satisfaction with the response they have received.“Police officers are found to be polite, friendly and professional. In many cases the complaints of the public have been dealt with speedily and this is most important to a large number of people.“Perhaps the most heartening findings of the survey relate to the strategies to be employed in the reduction of crime. Residents are now embracing the fact that a multifaceted solution is required to reduce incidences of crime.“Education, stronger parenting and youth programmes all feature in the responses from those surveyed. This is significant because it demonstrates that the people of Bermuda know that enforcement is only part of the equation and that we all have a role to play in addressing the issue of crime. That tells us that there is significant good will in the community and that we must harness that good will and empower communities to police themselves as appropriate.“The BPS’ continued focus on violent crime and on aggressive, targeted enforcement is welcomed and endorsed by the public who are clear in their desire to see the police preserve that focus as their priority.“The Commissioner, his senior command and the men and women of the Bermuda Police Service should be justifiably proud of these results. Their commitment and hard work is not just rewarded by convictions and long sentences. Nothing matches the appreciation of the public one serves and the satisfaction of having the perception meet reality. I shall continue to support the BPS and this Government has demonstrated time and again its commitment to ensuring that the BPS can fulfill its mission of “Making Bermuda Safer.”