D.C. Cherie Bean
We were deeply saddened to hear that our dear friend and colleague, retired D.C. Cherie Bean (nee Butler) passed on 6th August 2026. Cherie has been 'an institution' in Narcotics for many years and had served in the BPS for a total of some 40 years, from 1975 – 2015. Cherie officially retired in 2010 after almost 35 years, but then continued as a Post-55-officer until 2015 the she finally retired.
On behalf of our ExPo President, Cal Smith, and all of our ExPo members who knew and worked alongside Cherie we extend our sincere condolences to Cherie’s husband, Allan; her children, Selina, Allana and Taneah; her grandchildren, her wider family and loved ones and her many friends and former colleagues.
We are honoured to post the following Tribute to Cherie from Commissioner Darrin Simons who summed up Cherie's contribution to the BPS and the community as follows:-
“Cherie gave four decades of her life to policing and public service. Her professionalism, confidence, reliability, institutional knowledge and willingness to assist others earned her the respect of colleagues throughout her career."
TRIBUTE FROM COMMISSIONER DARRIN SIMONS
Dear Colleagues,
It is with sadness that I inform you of the passing of Retired Police Constable 154 Cherie Bean, formerly Cherie Butler, a longstanding and highly respected member of the Bermuda Police Service family.
Cherie joined the Bermuda Police Service on 1st March 1975 as a member of Recruit Foundation Course #19.
From the very beginning of her policing career, Cherie distinguished herself as a confident, capable and dependable officer. Throughout the Junior, Intermediate and Senior phases of her recruit training, she was consistently assessed as having exceptional turnout, being extremely interested in all aspects of police work, abounding in self-confidence, impressive and convincing in her speech, completely reliable, fluent and effective in her writing, and demonstrating consistently well-thought-out judgement.
Those who had the privilege of knowing and working alongside Cherie would likely agree that these early observations proved to be an accurate reflection of the officer and person she would become throughout her policing career.
Early in her service, Cherie also attended the Eskdale Outward Bound Mountain School overseas, where her instructor noted her willingness to accept responsibility and her ability to quickly develop skills such as map reading. Not every aspect came quite as naturally. Load carrying proved demanding, and canoeing presented its own challenge, particularly given her initial apprehension of white water. True to the determination that would characterise her career, however, Cherie overcame those challenges and ultimately thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
On 2nd October 1977, Cherie transferred to the Criminal Investigations Department, Narcotics, for a six-month attachment as an aide. Even during that initial attachment, she left a positive impression. Before returning to Narcotics on 29th July 1979, Cherie also served as a Junior Cadet Instructor and Parish Constable.
Cherie was confirmed in the rank of Constable on 10th April 1978. Her supervisor at the time, Retired Inspector Jean Vickers, described her as “a mature young woman who would go a long way in the job. She works well and gives her best.” Those words would prove particularly fitting.
Following her return to Narcotics, Cherie established what would become a significant part of her policing legacy. Her first assessment following the transfer recommended that she remain in Narcotics for the foreseeable future, and she was subsequently confirmed in the rank of Detective Constable.
Cherie was assigned responsibility as Intelligence Collator and Systems Recorder, a role to which she brought a wealth of knowledge, strong relationships with fellow officers and an extensive network of contacts that she developed and maintained. While highly effective in this capacity, she was equally dependable operationally, possessing sound local knowledge that proved invaluable at the airport, with street teams and during searches.
Police Narcotics Squad with H.M. Customs Officers - Circa Summer 1983
Top row (l-r) CO Kenny Simmons, Mark Allan, CO Vernon Foggo, Mike Wyllie,
Dave O’Meara, Steve Rollin, Zerphyl (Zip) Worrell.
Middle row, - Mark Cartwright, CO Roxann (Roxie ) Eve, Civilian Staff Carolyn Haynes,
Bev Outerbridge, Cherie Bean, Alickson (Alex ) Severin, Dennis Gordon,
Front row, Eustace LeGay Farley, Winston Esdaille, John L. Williams,
Norell Hull, Alex Arnfield and dog handler Ian Coyles.
Top row (l-r) CO Kenny Simmons, Mark Allan, CO Vernon Foggo, Mike Wyllie,
Dave O’Meara, Steve Rollin, Zerphyl (Zip) Worrell.
Middle row, - Mark Cartwright, CO Roxann (Roxie ) Eve, Civilian Staff Carolyn Haynes,
Bev Outerbridge, Cherie Bean, Alickson (Alex ) Severin, Dennis Gordon,
Front row, Eustace LeGay Farley, Winston Esdaille, John L. Williams,
Norell Hull, Alex Arnfield and dog handler Ian Coyles.
Throughout her years in Narcotics, Cherie attended numerous specialist courses both locally and overseas and consistently received outstanding reports regarding her performance. A 1990 assessment described her as reliable and trustworthy and recorded that she had acquitted herself well in her responsibilities as Collator and Assistant Custodian. She later became Custodian within Narcotics, a role in which she became an invaluable source of knowledge, assistance and continuity for generations of officers.
Indeed, those who served with Cherie in Narcotics have often recalled, with great affection and humour, that “Cherie was who really ran Narcotics. The bosses thought they did, but everyone went to Cherie for whatever they needed – even the bosses.” It is perhaps one of the most fitting reflections of the respect in which she was held and the important role she played behind the scenes in keeping the unit functioning.
Joint Importation Squad (JIS)
Probably taken in early 1986 just before retirement of D/Insp John Willams
Top Row - Alan Wilcock, Dave O'Meara, James Smith (HM Customs), Kenneth "Doc" Bourne,
Probably taken in early 1986 just before retirement of D/Insp John Willams
Top Row - Alan Wilcock, Dave O'Meara, James Smith (HM Customs), Kenneth "Doc" Bourne,
Richard Flood, Lynn Smith (HM Customs), Hugh 'Peter Meade, Norman Wilson, Michael Wyllie.
Middle Row - Ewart 'Pat' Hamlett, Brian Russell, Alickson 'Alex' Severin, Cherie Bean,
Middle Row - Ewart 'Pat' Hamlett, Brian Russell, Alickson 'Alex' Severin, Cherie Bean,
Mike Jent, Ronald Green, Ian Coyles, Steve Rollin
Front Row - Norrell Hull, Elsa McKay (HM Customs), D/Insp John Williams,
Front Row - Norrell Hull, Elsa McKay (HM Customs), D/Insp John Williams,
Caroline Hayes, Winston Esdalle
Over the course of her career, Cherie received numerous Letters of Good Work, Merit Awards and Commendations from successive Commissioners of Police, recognising her dedication and contribution to the Service. Her impact also extended beyond the BPS, with letters of appreciation received from external organisations, including the Anglican Parish of Pembroke and Christian Deliverance Academy.
Cherie retired upon attaining the age of 55 on 10th February 2010, following almost 35 years of service. However, her contribution to the BPS did not end there. She returned to serve as a POST-55 officer for a further five years, before officially retiring from policing on 10th February 2015, bringing to a close an extraordinary 40 years of service to the Bermuda Police Service and the Bermuda community.
Outside of policing, Cherie was also a proud member of her A.M.E. Church choir, another community in which her presence and contribution will undoubtedly be missed.
On behalf of the Bermuda Police Service, I extend our sincere condolences to Cherie’s husband, Allan; her children, Selina, Allana and Taneah; her grandchildren; her wider family and loved ones; and the many serving and retired members of the BPS who had the privilege of knowing and working alongside her.
Cherie gave four decades of her life to policing and public service. Her professionalism, confidence, reliability, institutional knowledge and willingness to assist others earned her the respect of colleagues throughout her career. For those who served with her, particularly within Narcotics, she will be remembered not simply for the positions she held, but as a trusted colleague whose knowledge, experience and presence made a lasting contribution to the Service.
Further information regarding funeral arrangements will be shared with staff once those details are received.
Please keep Cherie’s family and loved ones in your thoughts during this difficult time.
Darrin Simons
Commisioner of Police
The funeral for our dear friend and colleague Cherie was held at 2pm on Saturday 29th August 2026 at a packed St. Paul AME Church.