TWO SENIOR OFFICERS RECEIVE "QPM" HONOURS FROM THE QUEEN

Buckingham Palace and Government House in Nassau announced early on Saturday 14 June, 2008 that two serving senior members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force had received the Queen's Police Medal for Distinguished Service. The names were included in Her Majesty's Birthday Honours List.

 

Queen Elizabeth II honoured Deputy Police Commissioner Christopher McCoy and Supt Willard Cunningham in her annual Birthday Honours List which was released on June 14, 2008.

The Governor General will present the awards at a later date.

 

Deputy Police Commissioner Christopher McCoy and Superintendent Willard Cunningham will receive their "QPM" from the Governor General in the fall. Several other Bahamians received honours in the Order of The British Empire from the Queen in her birthday honours list including, Bahamian diplomat David Hepburn, former MP Sylvia Schriven and national tourism director Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace.

Both Deputy Commissioner McCoy and Superintendent Cunningham have long and distinguished careers in policing. Each also holds the Bahamas Long Service and Meritorius Conduct medals.

Below is how the announcement appeared in the London Gazette, the official government newspaper in the United Kingdom.

Supplement No. 3

Birthday Honours List — Bahamas

CENTRAL CHANCERY OF

THE ORDERS OF KNIGHTHOOD

St. James’s Palace, London SW1

14 June 2008

The Queen has been graciously pleased, on the occasion

of the Celebration of Her Majesty’s Birthday, and on the

advice of Her Majesty’s Bahamas Ministers, to approve

the award of The Queen’s Police Medal for Distinguished

Service to the undermentioned:

Queen’s Police Medal

Q.P.M.

Willard Mingo Cunningham. For services to law

enforcement.

Christopher Noel McCoy. For services to law

enforcement.

 

PILOT SAFE AFTER DITCHING PLANE IN SEA NEAR BIMINI

A pilot escaped without injuries when a twin engine aircraft in which he was the sole occupant at the time ditched into the sea between North and South Bimini on Monday 9 June.

Bimini Police reported that at about 1:10 p.m., pilot Norman Aranha, 52, of Florida, departed from the Sir Lynden Pindling International Airport in New Providence after dropping off three passengers and was headed back to the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood Executive Airport  in the white Aero-Commander aircraft owned by Atlantic Jet Management Company.

As he was flying over North Bimini, the right engine on the aircraft suddenly failed, resulting in the pilot turning around and descending, in an attempt to land on South Bimini. However, as he was approaching South Bimini, the left engine also failed, causing him to ditch the aircraft into the sea, about a half mile south of the tip of North Bimini, opposite the Bimini Sands Resort.

Chief Councillor Tasha Bullard-Rolle, along with other persons who witnessed the aircraft going down into the sea, immediately contacted the Alice Town Police Station. Several boats, including police, quickly arrived on the scene. One of vesels rescued the pilot and brought him ashore at the Bimini Sands Marina. He was taken by Bimini police to the Bimini Medical Clinic for observation.

The aircraft sank to the bottom in about 35 to 40 ft. of water. Police secured a local diver who was able to retrieve the pilot's personal belongings and the flight documents from the sunken plane. The aircraft was later salvaged.

The Civil Aviation Department out of New Providence, along with the National Transportation Safety Board in Washington, D.C., will be conducting an investigation into this incident.

[With permission from Freeport News]

 

POLICE COMMUNITY WALK-ABOUTS A SUCCESS

Members of the Royal Bahamas Police in Bimini conducted a community walk-about recently to meet with members of the North Bimini community in both Bailey Town and Alice Town. The morning walk-about saw Ch Insp Kevin Mortimer together with Sgt Lockhart, Cpl Prescott Pinder, Cpl Stacy Rolle and RSgt Michael Checkley meet with residents.

Mr Mortimer with resident Sonia McPherson

"It is all about building links with the community that will help us provide effective policing to the community", said Mr Mortimer. "We meet with people in their own homes and neighbourhoods and listen to their concerns", he added.

"Foot patrols are an excellent way to get to know your community well", said Cpl Prescott Pinder. "The patrol car goes by and often quickly whereas when you are walking you have the opportunity to really see the community and meet people", he added.

The walk-abouts will continue on a regular basis.

 

POLICE PARTICIPATE IN SCHOOL CAREERS PROGRAMME

Officers from the Royal Bahamas Police in Bimini together with two officers from the police college's Grand Bahama campus participated in the Ministry of Education's school career day programme held in Bimini recently.

Several students have expressed an interest in becoming police officers and have agreed to sit the police college entrance examination.

Chief Inspector Kevin Mortimer and Sergeant 2107 Lockhart and R/Sgt R473 Checkley attended a careers presentation forum during which Mr Mortimer spoke to the island's senior students about careers in policing. The day following the forum a careers fair was held at the Bimini Cultural Centre and the police were present with materials for young people to read concerning policing careers. An audio-visual presentation was also offered. Sgt Wilson and Cpl Stuart from the police college in Grand Bahama met with many students during the course of the day. Several accepted recruiting application forms and expressed an interest in sitting the police college entrance examination.

 

Sgt Wilson and Cpl Stuart speak with students about policing careers during a job fair in Bimini held by the Bimini All Age School. School Guidance Counsellor Forbes organised the three day event.

Sgt Wilson, Cpl Stuart and Ch/Insp Mortimer. Officers Wilson and Stuart are from the Bahamas Police College, Freeport campus. Several young people completed applications for entry into the Royal Bahamas Police.

 

POLICE WEEK ACTIVITIES

"We need to be with the community because as police officers we are part of the community", said Chief Inspector Kevin Mortimer, Officer-in-Charge of the Bimini Division as he initiated a series of police sponsored community activities.

Beginning on April 6 and running through to Arpil 12 the Royal Bahamas Police scheduled several activities to bring the community and the police service closer together. The activities included a church service, community walk abouts, school visits and and a fun/run walk. The final event was a Family Fun Day at the public park.

Under the theme "All We is One" the police began the week with a church service. Conducted by the Bimini Christian Council and held at the Born Again Full Gospel Baptist Church, the community gathered in prayer to offer worship and to pray God's guidance and blessing upon Bimini's law enforcement officers. Also participating in the service was Bahamas Customs and Bahamas Immigration. Representatives from all government ministries and agencies were also present at the service. Administrator Sherrick Ellis and Mrs Ellis were guests of honour. Chief Councillor Tasha Bullard Rolle and several members of the District Council were also in attendance. Pastor Oral Ellis delivered the sermon.

Ch/Supt Rahming (left) with Ch/Insp Kevin Mortimer

 

Chief Superintendent Basil Rahming of Grand Bahama represented Mr Eugene Cartwright the Assistant Commissioner of Police for the Northern Bahamas. Mr Rahming also spoke at the service encouraging the community to work closely with the police to ensure that law and order prevailed so the peace of the island community could be maintained. Mr Rahming was accompanied from Freeport by Sgt Tericita Pinder and Detective Constable Major.

Following the church service a police parade was held with music performed by the Community Band under the direction of Felton Rolle and Vincent Ellis.

Ch/Supt Rahming gave remarks at the service.

 

The Church parade followed the afternoon service. The music was provided, for the first time, by the Bimini Community Band.

SCHOOL VISITS

Chief Inspector Mortimer, Sgt Steven Hamilton, Cpl Stacy Rolle and RSgt Michael Checkley visited several of the island's schools during which time they met with both teachers and students. The informal visits will be continued throughout the school year.

Ch/Insp Mortimer and Sgt Steven Hamilton at Bimini All Age School

Ch Insp Mortimer and Cpl Stacy Rolle meet with young people at Bimini All Age School during an informal visit to the campus.

 

Some primary students at Bimini All Age follow behind Chief Inspector Mortimer and Sergeant Steven Hamilton during a school visit.

Ch/Insp Mortimer shares his police cap with a future police recruit.

A future police officer from the Anglican Pre-School

The girls try on a police woman's cap during the police visit to the Jacobs Anglican Pre-School.

Ch Insp Mortimer with a Grade 6 student from Holy Name Catholic School.

Ch Insp Mortimer, Sgt Steven Hamilton and Cpl Stacy Rolle stand with the students from Holy Name Catholic School during a school visit.

 

COMMUNITY MEETINGS BRING POLICE AND BIMINITES TOGETHER

A series of community meetings held by the Royal Bahamas Police in Bimini with members of the Bimini community have helped bring the police and Bimini residents closer together. Chief Inspector Kevin Mortimer, Officer-in-Charge of the Bimini Police Division together with Sergeant 1121 Steven Hamilton, Second-In-Charge of Bimini District, held four meetings recently to make the community aware of "the way forward" for the police service in Bimini. Administrator Sherrick Ellis and Chief Councillor Tasha Rolle also participated in the forums encouraging the police and the community to work closely together for the island's development.

Ch/Insp Mortimer listens to Ebbie David make a comment at the Men's Forum on Policing. Sgt 1121 Hamilton, Second-in-Charge, is seen on the left of Mr Mortimer.

The first meeting under the theme, "The Way Forward", was held with the various heads of government departments on the island which was followed a day later by a meeting with the religious leadershp of Bimini. A subsequent meeting was held with young men from the island and finally a general community meeting. "I want to hear from the community. I want to know the concerns of the people of Bimini when it comes to policing," said Mortimer. " I also want the community to know me and my officers and to know and understand my approach to law and order and to policing", he added.

The Chief Inspector indicated that all good citizens expect the law to be respected. He told the meeting participants that traffic matters are a concern as over 80% of the people driving vehicles either have no licence to drive or their licence has expired. A further 60% of all vehicles on the public roads have expired tags. He encouraged the public to correct these infractions. "We're talking about government revenue. This is money the government needs and uses to run the country....public officers, nurses, doctors, teachers, our schools, health clinics and so much else depends on this revenue."

Mr Mortimer declared that the law would be enforced without "fear or favour, malice or ill will." He emphasised that policing is everyone's responsibility and that all must do their part to keep Bimini safe and at peace. "We all must do our part", he stated. "If you have a concern or a problem call 919 or come and see me", he said.

"The police are community builders. We're here to build. We are here to work with you and to work for you to make Bimini the best it can be."

Ch/Insp Mortimer addresses the General Community Meeting

Bimini Administrator Sherrick Ellis,J.P., addressed all four meetings. At the Pastor's Forum he challenged the pastors to continue to "provide spiritual leadership and guidance to the community at large inclusive of the police on the way forward for the betterment of the island as we remember the past and embrace the future."  He also added, "that the only duty of the police is to serve and protect the community."  He also encouraged the pastors to make the officers feel "home while away from home."

The meetings were well received by the participants. "It was a great session and long overdue", declared Deputy Chief Councillor Robbie Smith(right), who addressed the Men's Forum. "We all want to get it right", he said .

"We need more of a police presence on this island", said one resident. "Put the police back in the community", he added. The Chief Inspector promised that the police would be present and visible throughout the island. "We are going to be seen as a neighbourhood police service", he said while also indicating that several of the police officers will now be livinig throughout the community.

The Pastors of Bimini with Ch/Insp Mortimer and Bimini Administrator Sherrick Ellis; Insp James Moss is on the left along with Sgt 1121 Hamilton, Second-In-Charge of Bimini District. "We need God's help if we are to succeed", said Mr Mortimer. Pastor Gilbert Rolle was appointed by the Bimini Christian Council to act as an on-island chaplain to the police officers.

Ch/Insp Mortimer speaks with the island's religious leaders. Inspector James Moss in seen on the left at the speaker's table with Sgt 1121 Hamilton on the right. Bimini District Council's Chief Councillor Tasha Rolle also attended the session and addressed the pastors.

The meetings were also attended by the members of the police service on Bimini, most of whom were recently transferred to Bimini and are new to the islanders. Inspector James Moss, officer in charge of the Berry Islands, moderated the sessions and was attached to Bimini for several weeks to assist in the implimentation of several community policing initiatives. Inspector Moss was first posted to Bimini 20 years ago as a constable and served for over five years prior to a transfer.

Former Bimini Member of Parliament, George Weech, JP, addressed the community forum and pledged his support for the police and Mr Mortimer's new initiatives.

"I commend the police for allowing the persons of Bimini to come and talk to them through this town meeting. This is the first time this has been done and it is greatly appreciated", said Mr Weech. "We cannot live in the wild, wild west and we must obey and respect the laws of the land", he added.

Chief Inspector Kevin Mortimer was transferred to Bimini in late December. He has served on several islands including New Providence, Andros, Cat Island, Eleuthera and Grand Bahama. He was recently responsible for the Police Training College in Grand Bahama. He succeeds Assistant Superintendent Stephen Newbold whose tour of duty in Bimini had expired.

GIRLS AND BOYS SCHOOL RETREATS SUCCESSFUL FOR BIMINI STUDENTS

The Royal Bahamas Police in partnership with the Ministry of Social Services and the Ministry of Education held a Girls and Boys Retreat recently over a two day period.  The retreat featured several guest speakers, special presentations and forums on issues impacting the lives of young girls and boys on Bimini. The Girl's Retreat was held on Monday January 28. The Boys Retreat was held two days later.

"We've had a very successful retreat which we feel was beneficial for the young people who  participated", said Mrs Jamie Carey-Humes, Bimini's Social Services Officer and the retreat programme coordinator. "There was much planning and organisational work put into the programme by both the Royal Bahamas Police community relations people here in Bimini and the Social Services department and we feel confident that it was received as a positive experience for the young people." She added that the girl's retreat was a success. "We have heard from many of the participants and they said that the speakers were good and the information given was very important. The boys also gave us positive feedback about their day of retreat."

"We're all hoping that the young men and women will be able to make good decisions about their lives and their futures and we are hopeful the programme has been useful in that process", said Police Corporal Stacy Rolle.

Sgt Pinder spoke on sexual offences, personal value and responsibility

"Our best decisions in life are made only with the best information that is available to us and we want our decisions to be well informed decisions. It was our hope that the  participants  acquired some of the  skills and information that will make it possible for informed choices to be made. Good information grounded in reality makes that possible and that is what this programme was all about", said R/Sgt 473 Michael Checkley. "We want the best for our young people."                    

Mrs Donna Bastian spoke to the girls on self esteem and self respect.

Along with the presentations by the guest speakers the girls participated in several activities. Mrs Jamie Humes, Social Services officer in Bimini is seen directing an activity that promotes teamwork.

From left: Cpl Stacy Rolle, Sgt Terricita Pinder, Mrs Donna Bastian, PC Garnette Mills and Jamie Humes, Social Services Officer

The Girls' Retreat was held on Janaury 28

BOYS' RETREAT SUCCESSFUL

"That was great", said 18 year old Jonathan Levarity following the day long Boys' Retreat which featured several speakers and group activities designed to build an appreciation for self worth and team building. The Boy's Retreat, like the Girls' Retreat, was organised by the Department of Social Services in Bimini and was supported by the Royal Bahamas Police on the island. "Our boys are faced with many challenges and especially so on Bimini and this day away for them was an attempt to help them make positive life decisions", said Social Services officer Jamie Carey-Humes.

Guest Speaker Sergeant 2091 Rolle from Nassau spoke on sexual responsibility and the importance of making smart choices.

Speakers, among others, included Chief Inspector Kevin Mortimer, Sergeant 2091 Rolle from Nassau and Sergeant 1882 Terricita Pinder of the Sexual Offences Unit in Grand Bahama. A presentation on self esteem and personal value was offered by Donna Bastian of Grand Bahama. A number of inter-active activities also formed part of the programme.