Police Units

The Bimini Police District is headed by an Officer-in-Charge and he is assisted by a Station Sergeant who is Second-in-Charge. Together, they ensure the efficient functioning of the police service in Bimini.

All the officers in Bimini perform general police duties and work regular shifts to provide effective and efficient policing to the community. However, several specialised units or sub-divisions within the Bimini Police District are in place to respond to specific situations, conditions, needs or events. These specialised units consist of a core group of officers but all officers are connected to each of the units from time to time as required by the circumstances. Each of these units support the officers performing their "general police duties". Each unit is headed by a supervisor and all are answerable to the station sergeant and ultimately to the Officer-in-Charge of the Bimini District.

 MARINE POLICING UNIT
As the name suggests the Marine Policing Unit focuses on matters relating to the sea.  The unit is responsible for off-shore and in-harbour patrols, search, rescue and assistance at sea, drug and human smuggling interdiction, monitoring all fishing regulations, assisting in Customs and Immigration matters, and general safety at sea.

ROAD TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT UNIT

Perhaps the Unit that is not the most welcome at times is the Road Traffic Enforcement Unit.  This Unit patrols the island's roadways to ensure that vehicles adhere to the law as it relates to safe, courteous and lawful handling and operation of a motor vehicle. The Unit, through regular patrols, check vehicles for proper licences, inspection certificates and validation stickers. The Unit also makes random checks to ensure vehicles are safe to drive on the roadways. The Traffic Unit, when issuing traffic summons to persons who have violated the Road Traffic Act, often receive hostile looks or frowns from the violators while others recognise they've violated the regulations and apologise. Nonetheless, this Unit is charged with the responsibility to ensure that the roadways on Bimini, narrow as they are, are kept safe for everyone. Road Traffic Regulations are really SAFETY regulations and therefore every good citizen is encouraged to be a good driver. "Vehicles cannot park in the road. That is obstruction and the fine is $500." said Administrator Sherrick Ellis in Traffic Court recently. "If you need to go into a shop or home get off the road. Park you car and walk to the place you need to go", he added.

DETECTIVE UNIT/SCENES OF CRIME UNIT

This Unit includes officers who have been trained to study, investigate and bring to a successful close matters brought before the police by members of the community. These investigative officers attend scenes of crime and gather evidence from which they garner information that can lead to the apprehension of persons who have committed a crime. These officers investigate all complaints to ensure that a matter is completely understood before laying charges and taking people before the Court.

These officers record statements, make extensive notes, investigate scenes of crime, gather physical and forensic evidence, take photographs and when necessary refer the matter to suitably qualified Scenes of Crime technicians from either Grand Bahama or New Providence. All the information is then studied and determinations made as to how best to proceed in the matter.

"If someone makes a complaint we will take their statement and ask them questions. This helps us to determine what has apparently happened and we go from there," said one of the officers in the unit. "We need to be sure that in fact an offence was committed and what type before we can proceed", he added. Another officer said, "After we receive a complaint we go into the field and investigate the complaint more fully. As a result of these investigations we will make a determination as to how best to deal with the complaint, whom to arrest and for what particular violation."  "Investigations and enquiries then continue and the case file is completed and eventually sent to the prosecution unit and the perpetrator is placed before the court", he concluded.

FIRE SERVICES UNIT

The police service cannot perform effectively without the help of the community.  The officers in this unit work to bring the police service and the public closer together for the betterment of the community. "Building relationships with the people of Bimini is the mandate of the Community and Neighbourhood Policing Unit," said ASP Tyrone Bethel.  "Neighbourhood policing is effective and efficient policing because it involves the police and the residents working together to keep the island safe for everyone", he added. The Community and Neighbourhood Policing Unit also works with other government agencies to bring about the same end -- an ever safer and ever peaceful Bimini. This Unit works in the schools by making presentations on crime, safety, drug and alcohol abuse and it also supports school functions. "By being involved in the schools the young people are able to relate to a police officer and through that contact mutual understanding can be achieved and then built upon", he said.  The Unit also sponsors after-school programmes for young people which has included basketball and track programmes. The Community and Neighbourhood Policing Unit also offers in-school programmes designed to keep young people from making poor decisions that result in criminal activity.
The officers attached to this Unit are out in the community meeting people and getting to know people so that trust can be built between the police and the people the police are sworn to serve. "When people feel comfortable with a police officer or officers then when there is a problem in the community or neighbourhood these people help us to solve crimes or resolve issues. We become partners in policing." he further stated.

The Community and Neighbourhood Policing Unit also maintains a website (you are on it now) which seeks to inform the public about the police service in Bimini and the services it provides to the community.

COURT PROSECUTION UNIT

This unit prepares cases which will be brought to Court and heard by the Administrator or the visiting Circuit Magistrate. The unit will also prepare and issue summons for court matters. They will also prosecute the matters in Court on behalf of the Commissioner of Police.



The officers in this Unit undergo continuous training and have been given seminars in court room procedures and prosecutorial techniques by the Crown Prosecution Office in Nassau. In some cases the Circuit Magistrate will bring a police prosecutor as part of his/her team. In this case the Bimini prosecuting officers will assist the visiting prosecutor in preparing for court.

 






SPECIAL RESPONSE UNIT

When a special situation requires a specific response or an operation needs to be executed a special team of officers chosen by the Officer-in-Charge or the Station Sergeant is selected. The Unit is briefed and a plan of action established which is then carried out.

When informed that over 25 suspected illegal immigrants were camped on Beach Cay 15 miles south of Bimini the Officer-in-Charge of the Bimini District ordered the Marine Unit and the Special Response Unit to proceed to the area and assist Immigration officials in their apprehension of the people and to ensure they were in good health.

Depending on the situation or operation all officers or only a few will be selected for this duty. This is left totally to the discretion of the Officer-in-Charge. Once the special operation has been concluded the members of the Unit meet with the officer-in-charge to debrief and discuss the operation's tactics and results. Usually all members of the team are required to write reports on their involvement in the operation.

VIP MANAGEMENT, PROTOCOL AND SECURITY UNIT

This Unit is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of official visitors to the Bimini District. This includes the Governor General, the Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers, the Leader of The Opposition, diplomats accredited to The Bahamas and other distinguished persons who may require the services of the Unit. This unit, which is trained in protocol procedures and security is always in attendance when official persons are on the island. Some members are in police uniform and others in plain clothes. The Unit works closely under the Security and Intelligence Branch (SIB) based in both Grand Bahama and Nassau when very senior government officials are present.
 

Once notice is given that an official person is visiting Bimini the members of the Unit review the itinerary, visit the places the official(s) will travel, speak with organisers and ensure the safety and security of all places associated with the visit including accommodations. The Unit ensures that proper protocol is in place so that respect to the visiting official and their office is maintained. Vehicles are selected and prepared by the police officers working in this unit and "dressed" to reflect the  rank of the official person who will be using the vehicle. "Dressing" a vehicle  means proper flags, licence plates and the placement of emergency lights when considered necessary.  All officers in the Unit operate on a separate tactical radio frequency to better co-ordinate the visit and not interfere with regular police radio traffic. The Unit also provides a police chauffeur and other police officers to ensure a safe and secure visit.

  The Prime Minister's official car is "dressed" with the Prime Minister's distinctive Flag, and distinctive "rank " licence  plates and a flashing blue emergency-warning light.




The Deputy Prime Minister's vehicle during a ceremonial event in Bimini.

 

Police provided security, protocol and support services to Deputy Prime Minister Brent Symonette on a recent visit to Bimini.
Bimini's Administrator Sherrick Ellis leads the DPM to an event at Bimini Bay Resort.

"Protocol is not just about ceremonies and flags, but rather protocol is a set of established procedures that ensure that an official person's office, rank and dignity are maintained and respected. Protocol also ensures that a visit or an event runs smoothly. Everyone is then happy. No one is embarrassed." said RSgt Michael Checkley who works with the Unit.  

The Governor General's vehicle recently in use in Bimini bears only a Crown on the licence plate as he is the representative of The Queen in The Bahamas. Also, in the front grounds of the home he was using a flag pole was erected flying his personal flag which indicates that the Governor General is in residence. The flag bears the Queen's crown surmounted by a lion. A ribbon below the crown displays the name of our country. All of the governors general within the Commonwealth have a similar personal flag. 

 Each time his Excellency left the residence the flag was removed. A similar flag flew on his vehicle and on the boat he was using when at sea.