A former detective who was dismissed from the Bermuda Police Service last week after more than three decades of service spoke out yesterday to shed light on the circumstances that surrounded his departure.

Nicholas Pedro “reluctantly” made a statement owing to “intense media and general public interest” in the matter.

He added: “I am cognisant of the rationale of the police commissioner for making a public statement concerning my dismissal to address public confidence issues.

“However, the nature of their media release appears to not address the obvious metric that public confidence can only be properly addressed by informing the public of the true nature of events.

“Their media release and my subsequent identification in other media outlets did not seek to reassure the public of the events that actually transpired.

“Though I am limited in the extent of any comments I may wish to make at this time, I wish to put the matter into its true context.”

The BPS announced on Friday that, after a disciplinary hearing, a superintendent — whom the police service did not name — was dismissed without notice.

It said: “The dismissal comes after a panel found the officer guilty of conduct that was deemed incompatible with the high standards of integrity required for continued service within the BPS.”

Mr Pedro explained yesterday: “My dismissal followed various allegations made by the BPS that I had acted ‘dishonestly’ and with a ‘hostile animus’ towards another officer, who was under investigation for serious criminal offences. Those allegations were found to be unproven.”

He said: “A fellow superintendent, on secondment to the professional standards department from the United Kingdom, was investigating two officers suspected of serious criminal offences.

“However, the entire professional standards department had at the time [December 2020] been placed in Covid-19 quarantine.

“I was instructed by the former Commissioner of Police [with the knowledge and tacit approval of the present commissioner] to take on these matters as a lawful order.”

Mr Pedro did not name anyone in the statement he issued yesterday.

However, The Royal Gazette understands that the superintendent on secondment was Gillian Murray, who came to Bermuda from the British Transport Police and returned to Britain in May 2021.

It is understood that the two officers under investigation were Pc Robert Butterfield and Sergeant Mark Monk, who were accused of causing or conspiring to attempt to cause disaffection among their police colleagues, and whose homes were raided in December 2020.

Those searches were in relation to the leaking of a legal document about the divorce of Stephen Corbishley, who was then the Commissioner of Police — understood to be the former commissioner referenced.

Pc Butterfield and Sergeant Monk, who both denied any wrongdoing, were told in July 2021 that they would not face criminal charges in relation to the leaked document and could return to work after being suspended.

Mr Pedro said yesterday: “My fellow superintendent [the head of the professional standards department] had provided me with information to obtain a search warrant for two individuals.

“Unbeknown to me, that information contained inaccuracies that I had no reason to doubt, given the trustworthiness and good offices of an experienced and senior fellow officer of equal rank.

“I was found against by the panel following an honest mistake when a fellow officer was swearing the information for the search warrant.”

He added: “My colleague had asked me to attend with him before the magistrate, in support, due to the seriousness and sensitivity of the matter.

“The allegation that I acted dishonestly was found to be unproven.

“The magistrate himself confirmed many months ago that I had played no part in the application for the search warrant. It has never been suggested I did.

“However, as I was present, I should have informed the magistrate that I was referred to in the application.

“This was not a dishonest mistake, albeit my honest omission was viewed seriously.

“I had incorrectly understood that by remaining mute during the application — so as to not be accused of having attempted to influence the process — I could not be accused of trying to influence that part of the process.

“However with hindsight, I accept I had a responsibility to inform the magistrate to address any perception of bias, and my omission in not doing so breached the standard of integrity — it was not dishonesty.

“Any suggestion I was in any way biased was found to be unproven.”

Mr Pedro noted: “I am grateful as a born Bermudian with centuries of family ties to the island to have served my community with distinction for nearly 32 years, and look forward to new and greater challenges.”

The BPS said on Friday that the dismissal highlighted the police service’s “dedication to holding all officers, regardless of rank or length of service, to the same high standards of professional conduct”.

Commissioner of Police Darrin Simons said then: “This decision, while difficult, reflects our unwavering commitment to maintaining the highest standards of integrity within the Bermuda Police Service.

“We recognise that public trust is paramount in our ability to serve and protect effectively.”

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