Trauma kits will be available for all police officers on patrol to help in the treatment of gunshot wounds.

Governor George Fergusson and Police Commissioner Michael DeSilva announced today that 350 of the kits, each containing a tourniquet, pressure gauzes and a chemical that’s used to clot blood, will now be carried by all front-line police officers on patrol.

“This is a slightly unusual event but it arises from the insanity not just in this part of the world but worldwide of police officers suffering, in the course of duty from time to time, gunshot wounds.” said Mr Fergusson.

“Last year there was a conference of the Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police (ACCP) here in Bermuda at which there was discussion of new trauma packs issued to some police officers (last year) and which demonstrably saved lives, including one of the people who was at the conference.

“The Foreign & Commonwealth Office and Britain have been able to supply trauma kits to overseas territory police services including, I’m glad to say, the Bermuda Police Service.

“These are not going to be for just police officers.

“But they can certainly save the lives of police officers who might be unfortunate enough to be involved in gunshot incidents.

“Police officers are also often first respondents and the fact that police officers will have handled these kits will enable them to provide initial first aid to members of the public or others who are involved in such incidents“.

Mr De Silva said: “This is not just an object of safety gear, this represents a collaboration between law enforcement agencies in the region.

“Last year at the ACCP Conference, the Commissioners were quite moved by a very powerful presentation from the then Chief of Police of Saint Croix, Christopher Howell.

“He told a story of how he survived multiple gunshots because he happened to have one of these packs with him.

“The Commissioners decided that they would, under the banner Operation Triage, undertake to provide all front line police officers in the Caribbean region with one of these life-saving packs.

“This pack is to be only used by police officers in extreme circumstances where it could mean the difference between life and death.

“I’m really glad we have these packs, I hope we never have to use them.”

It is estimated that two out of three fatal shootings result from blood loss, not the gunshot injury itself.