Systems and processes designed to ensure accountability in public life are effective and carry “an appropriate degree of transparency”, the Governor insisted this afternoon.

Rena Lalgie said that while individual cases may raise questions about standards and integrity in some of the island’s public organisations, that “does not necessarily” mean institutions are corrupt or failing.

Her comments came after Omar Dill, the chairman of the Free Democratic Movement, called for the appointment of an independent panel to investigate conduct by police that was deemed to have fallen short of standards as well as matters related to the justice system.

In a letter to Ms Lalgie and David Burt, the Premier, Mr Dill called for the establishment of “clear performance” standards for leadership across law enforcement, the judiciary and public service.

The FDM chairman also urged them to provide the Auditor-General, Ombudsman and Public Accounts Committee with “the resources and independence needed to effectively hold institutions accountable”.

Ms Lalgie said: “As well as recent headlines regarding various police conduct matters, there have been a series of stories in recent years reporting disciplinary and criminal matters taken up against members of the uniformed services and those in positions of significant power and influence in our community.

“These individual cases may raise questions about standards and integrity in public life.

“Whilst some of these cases have shown up criminal, concerning or unacceptable behaviour, this is in fact a powerful demonstration that our accountability systems, whilst they could be stronger, are indeed working.

“Individuals in every walk of life make errors of judgment and sometimes show character flaws through their behaviour.

“That does not necessarily mean that those institutions are, in and of themselves, corrupt or failing.”

The Governor added: “I have been steadfast during my tenure in ensuring that those who serve the public in roles or institutions accountable to me are properly and fairly held to a high standard of conduct.

“I am pleased, therefore, that in recent years, the systems and processes that enable accountability have been applied effectively, fairly and with an appropriate degree of transparency.

“Public service is a privilege. The public rightly has high expectations around the conduct, integrity and accountability of all public servants.

“We must be accountable to the people we serve. Fulfilling those expectations is a fundamental element of working in public service.

“When cases reach the public domain, I would encourage you to consider that knowledge of these matters, and the functioning of systems to investigate them following due process, is symbolic of good governance in a well-functioning liberal democratic system.”

In his letter, Mr Dill highlighted the review of more than 200 criminal cases, initiated as a man sentenced to life in prison for murder had his conviction overturned owing to flawed DNA evidence.

He noted the absence from the bench of a Supreme Court judge, understood to be suspended, which he said added to erosion of public confidence in the island’s institutions.

Mr Dill referenced the dismissal of a Bermuda Police Service superintendent.

Nicholas Pedro was let go from the BPS last week after, the BPS said, “a panel found the officer guilty of conduct that was deemed incompatible with the high standards of integrity required for continued service”.

Mr Pedro said later that the panel found against him after an “honest mistake” that related to procedure for obtaining a search warrant.

Mr Dill also noted that a former Commanding Officer of the Royal Bermuda Regiment faced criminal charges.

David Curley held that position from February 2016 and it was revealed in November 2019 that he was the subject of a police investigation and had been absent from Warwick Camp since October that year.

He was jailed for six months in 2023 after pleading guilty to a charge of official corruption.

Separately, the Bermuda Equal Justice Initiative this week highlighted the need for proper safeguards to be put in place to hold law enforcement accountable.

The group said the dismissal of Mr Pedro by the BPS was a “necessary step” towards restoration of integrity and public trust in the police.

Eron Hill, the BEJI founder, said in light of Mr Pedro’s recent dismissal, the cases that he investigated should be reviewed “to assess for injustice”.

The BEJI urged the police to continue adopting measures which restore faith in law enforcement.

The BPS was asked to respond to the BEJI’s statement but no comment was received by the time of publication.

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