The answer lies in the family

November 14, 2010

Dear Sir,

I am writing in response to an article recently published regarding Wayne Perinchief and his position on the Bermuda Police Service. As a modestly young Bermudian having returned home from living overseas eight years ago, and having had the opportunity to observe and participate in the Bermuda in which we now live, I wonder at some of Mr. Perinchief's comments.

The first step to fixing a problem is not to throw out the components that exist. If you do that, you may come to realise too late that there were very valuable parts that you got rid of. We made that mistake with our educational system and look where it has left our youth. More illiterate than ever. When you really look at the root of the problem, it was not the school system, it's home life, the struggle of making ends meet in a struggling economy, it's kids being undernourished, the need for parental attention creating behavioural problems, and the list goes on. The ills that affect children growing up in our community is what is causing the increase in violence and gangs that plague Bermuda today. It is not the BPS that needs an overhaul, it is our Bermuda society. Mr. Perinchief makes a number of statements.

1. "... It [the BPS] has become "largely expatriate and disconnected from the general populace."

To a large extent we need a certain level of disconnect from the community in order to police it effectively. Am I suggesting that the BPS should not hire Bermudian officers? Not at all. I admire the strong desire to recruit locals, but will it really make a difference? When it comes to taming a situation or unruly crowd, a directive from an assertive Bermudian officer would be more accepted. But can a Bermudian officer truly disassociate himself from the offender(s) that he grew up with or is family?

Furthermore, a local officer will not be willing to step into a situation or give up information that will potentially create a threat to him or his family. Maybe there are a small few, but only that. Pairing non-Bermudian officers with Bermudian officers can help. Because there are too many Bermudian connections from friends to family, officers may be influenced or more likely to turn a blind eye, or become corrupt. We should consider non-Bermudian officers who have lived in Bermuda for quite a length of time as a unique breed. In them you have someone who will NOT be influenced, intimidated, or ostracised by offending peers or family members for doing their job, as well as someone who has learned the diverse Bermudian culture and has a sensitivity as to how to best achieve peace in the community without offending the public. They should be considered an asset to the Bermuda Police Service.

2. "I have observed that Bermudian males, those not as academic as others, have been rejected for service."

It would make sense to believe there is a correlation between crime and the lack of academia in offenders. The reason many are involved in criminal offences is no doubt linked to that person not having adequate education or skills to hold a job to sustain their livelihood. It is sad to know that some don't even know the difference between where, were and wear for example. While I do not know what educational level is expected of entry level officers, I would think that it is crucial that officers have good writing skills and good comprehension in order to prepare accurate and detailed reports. Good policing is not restricted to what happens 'on the ground' or on the road. Besides, is Mr. Perinchief implying that employers should lower their standards to meet the lowered educational levels of potential employees!

That seems very backward. It would behoove him on behalf of our country to encourage these persons to strive for excellence!

3. "... employing locals as Police officers would mean immediately increasing the resource pool of local knowledge, helping to solve crime."

This has some merit but not totally true. Bermudians are not going to give up their own people even if they know where they are hiding. Not unless they are the direct victim of a crime.

4. Bermudians were more likely to go out and make arrests and "create problems for managers".

For the very same reasons in the point above, this is nonsense. Bermudian officers will not create problems for managers.

As Acting Police Commissioner Mike Jackman stated: "Not all Bermudians who apply are suited for policing." That is the truth. What the service may need is an overhaul of its system. Continuous training, proper compensation, and incentives for officers are some of the ways in which the service could enhance its productivity. Then, you will be able to weed out those who are not producing and do what is necessary. I tend to believe that like many returning to the limelight, Mr. Perinchief is attempting to quickly make his mark on this society rather than taking the time to get back in touch with what the service was designed to do and truly promote what is best. It is my hope that Mr. Perinchief does act with caution and wisdom.

CONCERNED BERMUDIAN

Pembroke