Police officers have made “significant advancements” in how they handle domestic violence and abuse cases, it has been claimed.

Commissioner of Police Darrin Simons said while all frontline officers underwent specialised domestic abuse response training in 2022 based on the model from the charity SafeLives UK, there was ongoing training and regular reviews.

The Bermuda Police Service faced some criticism at the start of the year from charities that said officers required better education and training on protocols.

SafeLives UK is a recognised leader in domestic violence prevention and response strategies.

The BPS said the “crucial training” equipped officers with the skills to support victims more effectively and respond to incidents with greater sensitivity and understanding.

Mr Simons said: “The training we have implemented is not just a one-time event, it is an ongoing commitment to improving our response to domestic abuse.

"We are dedicated to fostering a culture of understanding and support for victims, ensuring that our officers are prepared to meet the challenges they face in these sensitive situations."

The BPS added in a statement: “The BPS have committed to ongoing training and regular reviews of officer responses, ensuring that the lessons learnt continue to evolve with community needs.

“Commissioner of Police Darrin Simons has played a pivotal role in championing this initiative.

“Under his leadership, the BPS have prioritised the training and resources available to officers, fostering an environment where they are not only equipped to handle domestic abuse situations but also fully comprehend the complexities involved.

“Commissioner Simons emphasises that the safety and wellbeing of victims are of utmost importance, and he is dedicated to ensuring that officers respond with compassion and professionalism.”

Speaking on a panel of women’s advocates in January, Juanae Crockwell, the executive director of the Women’s Resource Centre, said numerous clients had been told incorrectly by officers that action could only be taken if the abuse was physical.

All victims of domestic abuse, whether physical, verbal or in writing, emotional or otherwise, have a right to file a formal report to police, according to BPS protocol.

Ms Crockwell highlighted the “tremendous” work of Petrice Madeiros, the police domestic violence liaison officer, but said work remained to be done among some officers.

She said at the time: “This is a criticism of some officers in the BPS, not all.

“I have had more clients than I can count come and say: ‘I went to police station, showed them this threatening message or played this threatening voice note and they said ‘until he hits you we can’t do anything’.

“There’s an education that has to take place within BPS. WRC has met with the domestic violence liaison officer to establish what the protocol is. There is work that needs to be done on the side of the BPS.”

Ms Crockwell has now said that progress is being made.

She told The Royal Gazette: “The WRC is encouraged by the BPS’s increased focus on addressing domestic abuse in Bermuda. We have observed a heightened level of community awareness and advocacy on this critical issue thanks to the efforts of the BPS.

“Additionally, we are pleased to see that ongoing training in the area of domestic abuse remains a priority.

“In March of this year, the WRC had the opportunity to meet with the Vulnerable Persons Unit following concerns we raised regarding the handling of domestic abuse cases and victim support. This meeting proved to be highly beneficial in strengthening our community partnership, identifying gaps in care for victims and working collaboratively towards improving the overall response to domestic abuse cases.

“We understand that domestic abuse is a sensitive and complex issue, and meaningful systemic change will take time. However, we are encouraged by the BPS’s efforts to address these challenges through enhanced training, community awareness and continued collaboration with community partners."

The BPS statement added: “Anyone who is a victim of domestic abuse, or who may have witnessed such incidents, is always encouraged to report what they experienced immediately.

“However, we understand that reporting incidents of domestic abuse is hard to do, particularly for a victim. With that in mind, we continue to reassess our processes, to reduce any and all institutional barriers that create unnecessary friction.

“Admittedly, we may not always get it right. That said, we remain committed to providing a safe and empathetic environment for all victims of domestic abuse and will continue to enhance our training and resources to better serve the community.”

Anyone wishing to make a report of domestic abuse to police via phone may do so by calling 911.

• Help is also available via theWomen’s Resource Centreor Centre Against Abuse