The acting Commissioner of Police has praised officers who had to restrain members of the public who tried to stop them making arrests over the weekend.

Darrin Simons said in a statement last night that several officers were assaulted by members of the public while trying to break up fights.

This included being attacked by two women on Front Street when they tried to break up a fight between several other females.

The two women who tried to stop the officers were arrested, a police statement said.

Separately, as reported in Saturday’s Royal Gazette, officers who broke up a altercation fight and dispersed a crowd at Darrell’s Wharf, Warwick had to call for urgent assistance when the crowd became hostile after a 27-year-old man was tasered.

One officer sustained minor injuries to his hand during the incident, in which the 27-year-old man and a 23-year-old man were arrested.

Mr Simons said: “Our job is hard. And I am always proud when we face adversity and aggression, confidently and professionally. None of us signed up to be assaulted but we know this can and does happen.

“The Bermuda Police Service will always support officers when they appropriately use their training, tools and tactics to deal with these situations that are too often aggravated by groups of onlookers who both threaten and obstruct them in the performance of their duty.

“I wish to thank each member of the Service who played a role in making this a safe weekend. Particularly, those that had to show commitment and courage under very trying circumstances.”

Mr Simons also urged the public to assist the police and not to stop them, reminding them that they can be arrested for obstruction.

He added: “If you can’t help, don’t hinder.

“The vast majority of our community responds appropriately to officers doing their job. However, there is a very small minority that needs to be reminded that it is an offense to obstruct or assault an officer in the lawful execution of her or his duty.”

Mr Simons also noted that if a member of the public believed an officer acted incorrectly or exceeded his powers, they can raise any performance matter with the on-duty incident commander 24 hours a day by calling 295-0011 and asking for the incident commander or by contacting the Police professional standards department.

He said: “I assure you that we have robust accountability measures in place to address your concerns.”