News

BIMINI POLICE OFFICERS DISTRIBUTE SCHOOL SUPPLIES TO KIDS AND CLASSROOM MATERIALS TO TEACHERS

The officers of the Royal Bahamas Police Force in Bimini recently distributed several items of school materials to young students and to classroom teachers in the primary grades. The police distributed nearly 20 back-packs filled with notebooks, crayons, pens and pencils along with other school supplies as students begin a new school year. The initiative, in conjunction with the Department of Social Services, made available a large quantity of school supplies to young students. The police were also able to present supplies to primary school teachers at the Bimini Government School. "We wish we had more to distribute but we can only do what we can with what we were able to receive from generous benefactors," said RSGT 473 Michael Checkley. "But, this is a start and we know we were able to help some kids and parents out", he added.
"Supporting education and encouraging young people to do well in school and to stay in school is an important role for the police. When young people leave school without the skills they need to get jobs or start careers they are often tempted to turn to criminal behaviour to make it in the world. That is a disaster for both the young person and the community. Education can prevent that. We support our schools and our young people. And we want our young people to stay in school", added RSGT Checkley.

3000 books soon to be presented to the island's schools by police
In September over 3000 reading books for all grade levels will be presented by the police to the public school and Gateway Academy. These books have come from Canada through a programme called "Bimini Bound" which once before sent thousands of books to Bimini. The police in Bimini spearhead this book-giving programme.   www.biminibound.ca




Several Bimini youngsters with their police-donated school bags



PC 3309 Ramsey spent the better of a day helping to distribute school supplies
to young people througout Bimini. "Oh, I wish we had more", said Ramsey. The
supplies were donated by several persons for distribution. Primary teachers will
also receive classroom supplies as school gets underway.


POLICE COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALISTS VISIT BIMINI STATION

A team of police communication specialists visited Bimini recently to conduct routine maintenance on the police communications systems in place at Bimini. The system in Bimini is part of a multi-million dollar communications system that allows all stations throughout The Bahamas to be in contact with each other and to pass vital police information as needs arise. The system is also part of a massive upgrade of local police communications systems.
 

Cpl Young(foreground) with technician Darvin Rodgers.

Cpl 2198 Young, who has spent three years in police communications, together with police civilian technician Darvin Rodgers accompanied a technical communications engineer from Motorola to Bimini to review the communications systems that are currently in place. Two years ago Bimini's police communications systems were upgraded to a new platform of performance which has greatly aided police efficiency.


POLICE RESERVE OFFICERS CELEBRATE 45th ANNIVERSARY
WITH LUNCHEON
ISLAND ADMINISTRATOR PRAISES THEIR WORK AND PRESENTS AN AWARD OF HONOUR

Island Administrator Sherrick Ellis recently praised the work of the police reserve officers posted to Bimini and thanked them for their dedication to duty and commitment to Bimini and its residents. The reserve officers in Bimini hosted a luncheon at Captain Bob's Restaurant for the rergular officers with whom they work and also invited heads of two government departments who work closely with the police such as Immigration and Social Services. Island Administrator Sherrick Ellis was guest of honour.

During the luncheon Mr Ellis addressed the guests and praised the reserve officers for their commitment to Bimini and helping keep the peace on the island. He noted that the 45th anniversary of the establishment of the reserve branch was a milestone within the organisation. Mr Ellis reported that the Minister of National Security, Tommy Turnquest, recently remarked that the reserve officers were an integral part of the police force whose commitment to their duties was commendable. Mr Ellis also praised the officers for their willingness to be put in harm's way to keep the people of Bimini safe. "Criminals don't check to see if an officer is wearing a black patch as a regular or a red patch as a reserve. A bullet or a bottle or a rock makes no such distinction. These are commited people. These are people with courage," he said. He asked the officers to continue to make their commitment to law enforcement and encourage others to join their ranks.


He presented the reserve officers with an Award of Honour and Appreciation on behalf of the Bimini community and declared the day "Police Reserve Day" in Bimini.










PRESENTING AN AWARD OF APPRECIATION
L-R  RSGT Checkley, R/PC Obrien, R/PC Joffre, RINSP Barry, Administrator Sherrick Ellis, ASP Bethel, OIC Bimini, R/PC Pinder


OFFICER STRACHAN-RUSSELL COMPLETES TEN YEARS OF SERVICE AS A POLICE OFFICER

Police Constable 280 Delarese Strachan-Russell has celebrated 10 yerars as a police officer recently. Constable  Russell joined the Force in 2000 and has served in Nassau and Grand Bahama and now Bimini. PC Russell also marks one year of marraige to PC 2796 Doron Russell who is also attached to Bimini.





Mrs Russell is one of several of her squad mates who have served in Bimini over the past ten years including PC 245 Cambridge, PC 260 Pyfrom and Cpl 254 Colebrook.
Officer Russell has served in the police Pay Office at Grand Bahama for many years and in Bimini she continues to work in the station's Finance section as well as perfoming general police duties. She has also been involved in police-school programmes.

ASP Tyrone Bethel, officer-in-charge of Bimini, wished her well and encouraged her to continue from "strength to strength". 





OFFICERS COMPLETE COURSES

Two Royal Bahamas Police Officers posted to Bimini have completed courses in career development at the Police College in Nassau. Cpl 2868 Christopher Miller recently completed a course in management for corporals. Detective Constable 2796 Deron Russell also completed further studies in forensic science and crime scene investigation techniques at the Police College in Nassau. Meanwhile, Sergeant 2107 Lockhart successfully completed the Sergeant's Management Course, also in Nassau.  "Training never stops the day a recruit graduates from the college. Training is on-going and vital to remain an effective police officer", said ASP Tyrone Bethel, Officer-In-Charge of the Bimini district. "I make it a point to encourage officers to take as many courses as they can. We can't fall behind", he added.

The Police College in Nassau offers many courses throughout the year to assist officers in keeping abreast of the latest developments in policing. Some courses are general in scope others are focused to a particular area of policing. Officers from other Caribbean countries also study at the Royal Bahamas Police College in Nassau. Senior officers also attend highly advanced courses, seminars and programmes in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. 



                                                                           Cpl Miller with ASP Tyrone Bethel








                                                              D/Constable Deron Russell with ASP Bethel





QUEEN AWARDS QPM TO TOP BAHAMIAN POLICE OFFICERS



Queen Elizabeth II, as Queen of The Bahamas, has awarded Deputy Commissioner of Police Marvin Dames and Senior Assistant Commissioner Quinn McCartney the prestigious Queen's Police Medal for Distinguished Service. The honour was announced as part of the Queen's 2010 Commonwealth Birthday Honours released by Government House on June 11.  His Excellency Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes will present the Queen's Police Medal to the officers at a ceremony in the fall. Other Bahamians were included on the honours list including distinguished churchman Right Rev Monsignor Preston Moss who was named a Companion of The Order of St Michael and St George(CMG). Warren Levarity, a former member of parliament for Bimini and former cabinet minister was also awarded the CMG.




INDEPENDENCE DAY USHERED IN WITH FLAG RAISING CEREMONIES

The Royal Bahamas Police in Bimini participated in ceremonies marking the 37th anniversary of the independence of The Bahamas which included a flag raising ceremony and the singing of the national anthem. A large crowd of both Bahamians and visitors attended the ceremonies at the Bimini Cultural Centre across from the island museum. The evenings entertainment included music and dancing and a junkanoo performance by the TUM TUM group. Cpl 2868 Miller and D/PC 2796 Russell performed the flag raising duties.


Activities continued throughout the weekend and included fireworks offered by Bimini Sands Resort and Bimini Bay Resort. An island parade was also scheduled. Churches marked the anniversary with special prayers and the singing of the national anthem. The Bahamas was granted complete political independence from Great Britain in 1973. The Bahamas continues to be a member of the Commonwealth and recognises Queen Elizabeth as Head of State as "Queen of The Bahamas".




OFFICER FROM BIMINI VISITS LONDON, ENGLAND


R/Sgt 473 Michael Checkley from Bimini seen with two officers from the London Police.
Officer Checkley was recently on a private visit to London and France.
The photo was taken on Fleet Street with St Paul's Cathedral in the background.

THE JUDICIAL COMMITTEE OF THE PRIVY COUNCIL -- OUR FINAL COURT



While in London Officer Checkley took a photograph of the entrance to the chambers of the
Judicial Committee of the Privy council, the final court of Appeal for The Bahamas
and many other British Commonwealth nations. We often hear the term "Privy Council" used but never
see where it actually exists. The  physical location of the Privy Council is across from the British Houses of
Parliament near Westminster Abbey. It is open to the public.


METROPOLITAN POLICE/SCOTLAND YARD POLICE VEHICLE






MAGISTRATE JONES HOLDS SEMINAR IN BIMINI ON NEW CHILD PROTECTION ACT

Freeport Magistrate Helen Jones held a seminar in Bimini recently to discuss the new Child Protection Act. The seminar was convened and attended by community leaders, government officials including teacher representatives and police officers. The new Act upgrades child protection in The Bahamas and takes into account current social issues facing the country with respect to young people. The seminar was sponsored by the local office of the Department of Social Services and its manager Mrs Jamie Humes. The Royal Bahamas Police assisted in the day's events and have partnered with the Social Services department in a number of initiatives. April was Child Abuse Prevention Month and the police worked with Bimini's Social Service agency to heighten awareness of the month long programme.
 


 L-R  Bimini Social Services Officer Jamie Humes, Bimini Administrator Sherrick Ellis, JP,
Magistrate Helen Jones, Sgt Gregory Lockhart, Royal Bahamas Police Force.


POLICE IN BIMINI PARTICIPATE IN JOB FAIR



Constable 2796 Russell at the police job fair booth

The Royal Bahamas Police Force in Bimini recently participated in a job fair sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism. The fair was held at the Native Cultural Centre in downtown Alice Town. Detective Constable 2796 Russell and R/Sgt 473 Checkley manned the police booth which attracted much attention. The booth included displays of crime solving techniques, photographs of crime scenes and equipment used by police and fire services personnel. A number of persons expressed interest in policing as a career. Serious candidates were asked to register at the Alice Town Police Station and several young people in Grade 12 at both the Gateway Academy and the Bimini Public School have completed recruitment applications.


BAHAMAS RED CROSS PRESENTS HEALTH KITS TO BIMINI POLICE STATIONS

The Bahamas Red Cross visited Bimini recently and held public information seminars on health issues and the H1N1 flu pandemic. The Red Cross officers presented their information to students, government health officials, government workers, church groups and community leaders and the general public. While in Bimini the Red Cross presented health kits to the Royal Bahamas Police Force in Bimini. The kits include disinfectants, masks and latex gloves along with other items designed to help deal with health related issues.

Red Cross officials Franchot Morely, Shannador Andrews and Damario Barton are seen
presenting to Detective Constable Russell supplies prepared by the International Red Cross and Red Crescent organisations.



JULIE DEAN HONOURED BY THE POLICE WITH BLUE LAMP AWARD

Mrs Julie Dean received a "Blue Lamp Award" from the police in Bimini honouring her for her commitment and support of the police officers in Bimini over a thirty year period. The local award, named after the blue lamps that are displayed outside Bahamian police stations, was presented to her by Assistant Superintendent Tyrone Bethel.

Mrs Dean is demiting her office as Executive Officer within the Department of Local Government. She has served in the Bimini Administrator's Office for over thirty years. "Mrs Dean exceeds the word 'competence'", said Administrator Sherrick Ellis. "She is simply outstanding and an exemplary public servant."  ASP Bethel said that  he remembers Mrs Dean well from his earlier posting to Bimini in 1992. "She was like a mother to the officers here." he declared. "We all grew to know and love her and appreciate the many favours and kindnesses she did." ASP Bethel added that, "professionally she was a fine example to others in government service."

FORMER BIMINI RESIDENT OWEN CHEESEMAN RECEIVES BLUE LAMP AWARD

 

Owen Cheeseman, an American World War II veteran of the Pacific war, and a former resident on South Bimini received a Blue Lamp Award from Assistant Superintendent Tyrone Bethel during Police Month activities during March 2010 in Bimini. The local award is named after the traditional "Blue Lamps" that are dsiplayed outside police stations in The Bahamas and many Commonwealth countries. 

 

Mr Owen Cheeseman next to his VHF  relay station "Ricky Jay" through which he has helped save both lives and property that were in distress at sea in and around Bimini and between Florida and Bimini.  

 

 PRIME MINISTER MAKES BRIEF VISIT TO BIMINI

The Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Hubert Ingraham speaks with ASP Tyrone Bethel, OIC Bimini and Sgt 2107 Gregory Lockhart, 2 I/C Bimini, during the prime minister's brief visit to Bimini recently. Capt Hyram Rolle, water taxi operator stands looking on.

 

  

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER BRENT SYMONETTE, MP ATTENDS FINANCIAL SERVICES CONFERENCE IN BIMINI

A major financial services conference was held in Bimini recently at the Bimini Bay Resort. The conference brought together financial services personnel from as far away as Europe as well as participants from the Caribbean region, Canada and the United States. Deputy Prime Minister Brent Symonette opened the two day conference and Minister Zhivago Laing, Minister of State for Finance, gave the keynote address.

L-R  Sergeant 2107 Gregory Lockhart, Second I/C Bimini; ASP Tyrone Bethel, O/C Bimini; Hon Brent Symonette MP, Deputy Prime Minister of The Bahamas and Bimini Island Administrator Sherrick Ellis, J.P. stand outside the Bimini Bay Resort Conference Hall. The Deputy Prime Minister also viisted the Department of Immigration on Bimini and the Alice Town Police Station. The Royal Bahmas Police Protocol and Special Services Unit in Bimini provided security, planning and protocol assistance for the visit.