The Bermuda Police Service has opened a new Occupational Health Unit at 81 Court Street, known as the Old Fire Station building.

Deputy Police Commissioner Paul Wright, before cutting the ribbon at the official opening ceremony for the new facility today, said policing could be a hugely satisfying and rewarding form of public service, but it could also be stressful, exhausting and otherwise challenging for all police officers, reserve police and support staff.

“The BPS has made progress in recent years to place more emphasis on wellness support for our staff, and today, the official opening of the new Occupational Health Unit (OHU) represents a significant leap forward in terms of elevating the importance of that support,” he said.

“We now have a physical space that is fit-for-purpose in that it provides a single location for the amalgamation of our Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) team and our clinical support services, as well as space for health and wellness seminars and group consultations.

“But, having a useful physical space is only part of the solution,” he said, adding that the OHU was “testament” to the work of the staff, which includes 28 volunteers, who provide CISM support.

“Wellness is a blessing and sometimes we all need a little extra help to remain strong,” said Mr Wright. “There is a saying that ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure’.

“Our people are our most important asset and the objective here is to help each other to stay healthy and well so that we can continue to deliver quality policing services.”

He said the unit represented “good progress and a continued commitment to the wellness of our staff” before cutting the ribbon to declare the facility officially open.

The OHU’s coordinator, Sergeant Raoul Ming, said: “Upon assuming the role as coordinator, I identified specific areas where concentrated and dedicated attention would greatly assist our members’ needs.”

The specialty areas include general law enforcement, family and marriage, natural disasters, firearms, and spiritual and pastoral services.

“Between 2013 and 2014, the CISM team dealt with 27 major or significant incidents and several other incidents on a smaller scale,” Sgt Ming said. “CISM team members have provided group and one-on-one peer support interventions.”

He added that they also provided aid to their “sister service”, the Bermuda Fire Service, when that organisation dealt with the death of a “serving member”.