Superintendent Sinclair White 

The sad passing of our good friend and former colleague, retired Superintendent Sinclair “Sinky” White on 21st March 2023, gave us time to pause and reflect on Sinclair’s tremendous contribution to the Bermuda Police Service during a career which began 50 years ago when he first donned his police uniform in October 1973 – and we can’t think of anyone who has ever looked smarter than Sinclair as he represented the BPS with great pride, style, sincerity and commitment. 

Sinclair’s Celebration of Life funeral, held at Christchurch in Devonshire, on Friday 31^st March 2023,  was packed with family, friends, colleagues, and persons from all walks of life, and the BPS provided a Full Service Tribute which included draping the coffin with the BPS flag, displaying his police hat, ceremonial sword, and Sinclair’s police medals on the coffin, providing pallbearers, and arranging for the playing of the Last Post at graveside.

With Commissioner Darrin Simons off the Island, Assistant Commissioner Martin Weekes, gave the following Tribute to Sinclair which summarized his outstanding career as a police officer:-

 

BERMUDA POLICE SERVICE RECORD

On behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Police Officers, Reserve Officers and Staff who served with Supt White, I offer my sincere condolences to his family and friends.  

Sinclair joined the then Bermuda Police Force at the age of 22 in October 1973, on Recruit Foundation Course # 17 having previously served as a Corporal in the Bermuda Regiment between 1970 and 1971. 

Having viewed Sinclair’s application form to join the police I note that he expressed an interest in Photography, Music and Interior Decorating. He also listed a scientific interest in Chemistry & Meteorology. I am not certain how any of those were of assistance to him in his policing career. 

Having successfully passed out from the course he was initially posted to Central Division Hamilton Police Station in 1974.  After just a year in uniform patrol, in 1975 Sinclair was given an attachment to the Murder Room where he remained until 1979 following which he returned to Uniform Patrol. 

Following a number of other attachments to various specialist units he was transferred to the Criminal Investigation Division as a Detective Constable in 1980.

Young Detective Sinclair White 

In 1983 Sinclair applied to the Commissioner to come out of CID to broaden his experience and was transferred to the Training School as an Instructor. 

During this time Sinclair was often sent overseas to represent the Police and Bermuda at events put on by the Department of Tourism cutting a dashing figure in his tailored Bermuda Shorts and Bobby Helmet. 

He remained in the instructor role in Training School for five years, where in 1987 he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. 

In 1988 he was briefly assigned to Operations (Traffic) and later that year returned to the Training Department where he remained until his promotion to Inspector in 1991. 

On promotion he became a Watch Inspector (on “D” Watch) in Hamilton and later worked in a number of roles within the Crime Division.   

He was also appointed by the Commissioner as an Honorary Aide de Camp to the Premier in 1992 requiring him to carry out ceremonial duties. 

Sinclair was appointed as Honorary

In 1996 he was appointed as OIC of the Major Incident Room (formally the Murder Room) and promoted to Chief Inspector. 

In October of that year he took over responsibility for Complaints and Discipline where he was commended by the Commissioner for his work in reducing the backlog of complaints against police. 

In 2001 Sinclair was promoted to the rank of Superintendent and worked at various times in Operational Policing, Operational Support and Crime Division roles.  

Sinclair graduated from the Executive Command Course, at the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Quantico Virginia in 1997 and the International Strategic Leadership Course at the Bramshill Police Staff College in UK in 2003. 

Sinclair was the recipient of seven Commissioners Commendations between 1979 and 2007 often quoting such attributes as “zeal, dedication to duty and detective ability” along with 23 letters of appreciation and nine letters of good work. 

Sinclair was awarded the Colonial Police Long Service & Good Conduct Medal with 25 and 30 year bars and was recognised by Her Majesty the Queen in the 1999 New Year’s honours with the Colonial Police Medal for Meritorious Service. 

Sinclair was once described by then Commissioner of Police, Jean-Jacques Lemay, as a very capable and ambitious senior officer who provided a high level of service to the Police Service and the people of Bermuda.

A popular and well-liked officer, Sinclair retired as a Superintendent in October 2007 after 34 years service,  moving on to head up the newly formed Bermuda Financial Intelligence Agency. 

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Retired Superintendent  Rev. Larry Smith gave the opening prayer at the Service and spoke fondly of his long association and friendship with Sinclair.

Tributes were also given to Sinclair by Calon Hollis for his work with The Financial Intelligence Agency; Cheryl Lister for the valuable contribution Sinclair made to The Caribbean Financial Action Task Force and the National Anti-Money Laundering Committee; Marva Bridgewater for Sinclair’s tireless work for the Berkeley Educational Society; and Bill Pitman for his many years of service with the Paget Parish Council.

The following Obituary to Sinclair appeared in the Order of Service:-

HAROLD SINCLAIR RAMSEY WHITE, the beloved husband of Carol Mindell White and father to Patrick and Jae, was born in Paget Parish.   He was the son of the late Fay Alfreda White and Wycliff (Jack) Sinclair Ramsey.   Sinclair was affectionally known to everyone as ‘Uncle Sinclair’.

The family are appreciative of all the tributes that have been expressed about our much-loved Sinclair, however, there are only a few of us who really know why Sinclair was so regimented, beginning with the Boy Scouts and Junior Cadets, then the Royal Bermuda Regiment, the Bermuda Police Service and all the other organisations he belonged to.

Well, do any of you know the ‘girl’ he called Pat—she was the Sergeant Major who ruled 23 Collector’s Hill.   The Sergeant Major would have Sinclair, Webster and James (Tony) march around and around the perimeter of the house with pots on their heads, stand at attention and salute each time they came around.   As children they were like four peas in a pod.  Whenever Sinclair, Webster or Tony was going to get the ‘dreaded’ Black Brush, Patricia would tell them to run and hide behind their huge Collie, Andy, who would show his teeth at their Moms (Fay and Ruth White).   Needless to say, Sinclair was one of the culprits who eventually hid that ominous ‘Black Brush’ in the chimney.

Sinclair learned how to mend, wash and iron his clothes.   He also would cook, knit, make a sheet look good on a bed and polish his shoes.   We could never run out of Kiwi polish—and subsequently, his Scout badges, Regiment and later Police medals were kept highly polished and sparkling.   All these traits he carried into adulthood.

Sinclair married Carol, AND the Lightbourne Family, on October 27, 1990.   Their union lasted thirty-three years.

Carol, Patrick and Jae, reaped the benefits of Sinclair’s childhood grocery shopping and hands-on cooking classes.   Sinclair, along with Webster and Tony, helped with the shopping and every Saturday carried up Collector’s Hill, bags of groceries, which included three gallons of milk, one gallon for each of them.   Sinclair learned how to make cassava pie, peas & rice, mac‘n’cheese, shepherd’s pie and bread pudding, to name just a few.

Sinclair and Carol celebrating Sinclair's birthday at Aurora Restaurant

Although Fay and Ruth had a great maternal influence on his life, Sinclair was blessed to have had three uncles as role models. They taught him masonry, carpentry, sportsmanship, financial obligations, service and family values, all of which we who are here today can attest to. He gave of himself unconditionally. 

Sinclair was a ‘Halloween baby’.   His Mom would always have a huge birthday cake for him, which was shared by his cousins, along with ice cream and the Halloween Treats.

As children, we would spend time with our Aunt Louise at her grocery store on Cobb’s Hill.   Sinclair’s job was to weigh the peanuts and make deliveries around the Cobb’s Hill area.

There is no way that we can forget to mention fishing and swimming off Flatts Bridge.   Sinclair and his cousins would walk to Flatts, catch “a very big prize fish”, so big that in one swallow dinner was finished.   Although the boys went alone, they were watched over by Uncle Jack Minors, an Uncle they called the man with the cigar.

Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations were held at the family homestead on Collector’s Hill, where all the family, extended family and friends gathered.   As years passed, we saw less of Sinclair at these gatherings, as his life in service as Constable No. 471 up until his retirement as Superintendent of The Bermuda Police Service, consumed much of his time.   However, retirement for Sinclair was not meant to be.   He soon took the opportunity to become the Director of the Financial Intelligence Agency, a position he held right up until his illness.    AND as life would have it, he was then able to spend more quality time with his family.

Do you wonder where he got his sense of style from?   On any occasion, whether it be going to the Easter Parade, Sunday School, etc., Sinclair, Webster and Tony would be decked to the nines, every piece of clothing homemade, the boys wearing white buck shoes and Patricia in smocked dresses.   This immaculate dress style followed him into his adult life, Sinclair being able to shop for brand-name clothing for Carol, his Mom and his Aunt Ruth.   Christmastime was a treat for them because he would always be laden with beautifully wrapped boxes of clothing and other gifts to present to them.   AND, please, let’s not forget the Hallmark Cards for every occasion and for everyone. 

Sinclair attended Elliott Primary School, where he excelled academically, and always brought home sports awards.   Sinclair attended The Berkeley Institute (Gold House) and furthered his education at Exeter College in the U.K.   

Members of the Police Tug o' War Team in practice

Sinclair achieved a great deal through study and  community involvement.   Most notably with  the Exeter College Rugby Club, Teachers Rugby Club, Somers Isles Jaycees, Warwick Academy PTA, Hannibal Lodge 224 under the Irish Constitution.   Of course, his supreme dedication was to his chosen profession “Policing”.   Every now and then he was ‘gently’ reined in and reminded about Family Life by that ‘girl’ he would always refer to as Pat.   He would say, “we better go and ask ‘Pat’ first”.   During one of these ‘rein-ins’, that ‘girl’ Pat indicated to him that she needed help with, as we called them, ‘the Girls’.   Sinclair immediately responded and set the time aside by assisting with his Mom’s medication and then ensuring that he took his Aunt Ruth to Marsden First United Methodist Church every Sunday morning.  Hence the beginning of his strong commitment to the Church. 

Sinclair adored Carol and was always pondering what could he do for her. Throughout his illness, he didn’t miss out sending her flowers, the last delivery being on Valentine's Day.   Demco Florist, thank you, as the whole family knows as well that he kept you busy delivering flowers.

Sinclair also ensured that Patrick, Jae, and Kiara persevered in their educational endeavours.

On Tuesday, March 21, 2023, Harold Sinclair Ramsey White transitioned from labour to reward.   

 

 

Interment took place at Marsden First United Methodist Cemetery, Smiths Parish.

On 1^st April, The Royal Gazette published an excellent article about the contribution Sinclair made to the Bermuda community (CLICK HERE to view it)  headed “Sinclair White (1951-2023): a ‘Capable. Ambitious, Police Officer “written by Jonathan Bell.

Ralph Lindo first joined the  Bermuda Police as a young Cadet in September 1969. On reaching the age of 19 he attended Basic Training Course  #15 held from March - July 1972 after which he was posted to Central (Uniforn) in Hamilton. 

The following year Ralph spent several months in the Murder Room before being transferred to Western (Uniform) in 1973.  He had spells in CID, on Beach Squad, and in both Central (Uniform) and Western (Uniform) before moving to Operations (Traffic) in November 1975.  

A year later Ralph moved to Motor Cyce Patrol Section (MCPS), a posting he relished, and he spent the next 8 years in MCPS.  

After short stints in CID as an Aide and on the Task Force in 1984,  Ralph was posted to Marine Section where he proved to be the ideal man for the job  and was very highly thought of by all who worked with him.  

In September 1987 Ralph was awarded the Colonial Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, and he remained a very efficient and popular member of the Marine Section until his retirement in 2007.

Senior Officers with members of the Marine Section - 1981

Top row (l-r)   Mike Shaw, Mark Bothello, Huron Vidal, Andy Wright, Alan Gorbutt.

Middle row -   Paul Cranage, Ralph Lindo, Larry Dean,

Perry Fox, Wayne Ingemann & Reggie Horseman.

Front row -  Supt George Rose,  ACOP Harold Moniz, DCOP Clive Donald,

COP Fred "Penny" Bean, Supt Lenny Edwards, and Insp Phil Every

 

Ralph had played football for the Police Recreation Club team and was a very sociable member of the Service.   

Following his retirement Ralph operated a taxi and had an extensive list of clientele, including business people from abroad who would hire his services whenever they came to Bermuda.

Ralph with Reese Bartley and Vendal Bridgeman at ExPo Reception

Ralph continued his close association with the BPS and was a regular attendee at many of our  ExPo social functions.

Sadly,  Ralph passed away at the age of 70 on Wednesday 22nd February 2023, having been in failing health for some time.

His funeral was held at St. Anne’s Church, Southampton, on Wednesday 1^st March 2023. The church was packed with former colleagues of Ralph’s during his many years in the Bermuda Police Service, together with his family and many friends.   

Commissioner and Senior Officers give final salute to Ralph Lindo

Commissioner of Police, Darin Simons, gave an excellent Tribute to Ralph, and his comments  provided a unique insight into the contribution Ralph made to the Bermuda Police Service from the time he first joined as a young Cadet in 1969, to his service as a police officer from 1972 until his final retirement in 2017.

Ralph Allen Lindo was born on 5 December 1952 to the late Agnes Olivia Lindo and Howard Edward Lindo Sr. of Middle Road, Southampton. He was one of four siblings; Elizabeth, Howard “Eddie” Jr., Robert, and the late Matthew Lindo. 

He attended Port Royal Primary School and Dellwood Middle School. He partook in many sports and received many awards in athletics. 

In September 1969 coming out of Dellwood he joined the Bermuda Police as a young Cadet at the age of 16. As a Cadet, he completed the Outward Bound Program and received the Royal Life Saving Award, also he attended the Outward Bound Mountain School at Ullswater, with achievements in Proficiency Skills and Merit in Practical Application of Skills. Also a Cadet, he sat on one of the 250 and 275 Honda Motorcycles and said, “I’m not old enough yet, but I can’t wait until I’m ready to go out on one of these superbikes.”

On reaching the age of 19 he attended Basic Training Course  #15 held from March - July 1972 after which he was posted to Central (Uniforn) in Hamilton 

 The following year Ralph spent several months in the Murder Room before being transferred to Western (Uniform) in 1973.  He had spells in CID, on Beach Squad, and in both Central (Uniform) and Western (Uniform) before moving to Operations (Traffic) in November 1975.  

A year later Ralph moved to Motor Cyce Patrol Section (MCPS), a posting he relished, and he spent the next 8 years in MCPS.  While he was on in Motor Cycle Section, his handle was “Mike 10.” His mentor was “Boxhead” Foggo and often times you would find them chasing people for speeding, those who resisted being pulled over you knew what happened next. He would chase people up and down steps, through the railway trail but rest assured he was going to catch them. Others that rode with Ralph were Tyrone Smith, Clive Brown, Philip Larson and numerous others.

At the age of 23, Ralph played football/soccer with the Police Recreation Club Soccer Section as a defender and did two tours with the Police.

In March 1977, he was involved in an accident which left him incapacitated after which he could no longer play football for the police team.

In September 1978 Ralph received last minute instructions from the Department of Tourism, Deputy Director, Lt. Col. J.A. Marsh for an assignment in the US to be a special feature at a convention of the Independent Jewelers organization in Philadelphia. The organizers asked for a uniformed Bermuda policeman as a local symbol to assist with information on the island.

In 1980 Ralph married Lynn A. Lindo (nee Smith) and of that marriage, their two sons Neil and Nicholas were born. 

In March of 1984, PC Lindo and his partner, Steven Rollinson was first to arrive at a blazing apartment. PC Lindo and a householder plunged into the smoke, crawling through the apartment on their hands and knees using a flashlight to search for a 6 year old girl to see if she was still inside. Both emerged later suffering from smoke inhalation and it turned out that the little girl had not yet returned from school.

After short stints in CID as an Aide and on the Task Force in 1984,  Ralph was posted to Marine Section where he proved to be the ideal man for the job  and was very highly thought of by all who worked with him. He was very keen on water safety and as on motorcycles he was just as effective chasing speeding boats and jet-skis. He would be called to rescue distressed boats.

In September 1987 Ralph was awarded the Colonial Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, and he remained a very efficient and popular member of the Marine Section until his retirement in 2007. He was active as a Reserve Police Officer, Badge # 1350 and was with the Reserves for approximately one year before being recalled to Marine Section to serve another five year until his final retirement in 2017. Before his retirement, Ralph promised his father that he would take him out on the police boat and he surely kept that promise.

He earned numerous training certifications and awards throughout his career in the Police Service.

Throughout his career, he did odds jobs such as security at Gibbons Company and photo ops for their guests & special functions at Southampton Princess with the assistance of the late Stuart Innes and Minton Gilbert.   

In 1999, Ralph met Roslyn while he was working at Gibbons Company. He was very smitten by her and made sure that every morning he had her coffee and doughnuts ready for her when she arrived at work. From that point they started their journey together. They took frequent trips with family, working around their home i.e .painting, construction and odd jobs. In his way, Roslyn was his everything. Throughout their life together, Ralph would always talk about his sons and how he was proud of both of them and loved them very much. Roslyn would always encourage him to spend time with his sons.

In September 2013 Ralph and Roslyn, witnessed his eldest son, Neil getting married in a gorgeous destination wedding held in Montego Bay, Jamaica. He was very proud of him then and ten years later, it was announced he was going to be a granddad in July 2022. He was so overjoyed with the news. 

Following his retirement Ralph operated a taxi and had an extensive list of clientele, including business people from abroad who would hire his services whenever they came to Bermuda.

It can be said that PC Ralph Lindo was very instrumental with all those that he worked with, mentored and pushed up the ladder in the Bermuda Police Service. Surely, others that met his acquaintance over the years, even those who were not police, looked up to Ralph, and many have said if it wasn't for Ralph changing their lives, they wouldn't be where they are today. Given that, Ralph will be missed by all those that he has influenced. 

Ralph continued his close association with the BPS and was a regular attendee at many of our ExPo social functions.  He will be sorely missed by his many friends and former colleagues.

Ralph leaves behind his life partner of 22 years, Roslyn Miller; his sons: Neil (Caitlyn) & Nicholas; his step-daughters: Natasha & Adrian; and grand-daughter Ivy. Ralph is predeceased by his parents, the late Howard & Agnes Lindo and brother Matthew Lindo. He is survived by his sister: Elizabeth “Betsy”; brothers: Eddie (Sue) of England, and Robert (Mary); nephews: Dennis “Merts”, Derek, Edward and Andrew; nieces: Melissa and Kirsten; great-nieces: Kiara, Jomei, and Jaela; Dear and closest friends: Mark Botello, Paul Singh; those predeceased: “Boxhead Foggo”, Stuart Innes, and Tyrone Smith; The Bermuda Police Services: Traffic Division (Motorcycles), Reserves and Marine Section; and many acquaintances and friends to mention.”

Following is a list of Accolades & Recognitions recorded in Ralph’s personal Police file -  

• 20 December 1975 - Ms. Helen Perry, a Paget woman, praised PC Lindo and PC Phillip Lupson, who bravely rushed into her burning house and carried her out before the flames had engulfed her. Both received commendations before in instances where their courage and concern stood above their personal safety.
• 11 November 1980 - Passed the Advanced Driving Course of Instruction at the Motor Driving School in Prospect.
• 5 October - 10 October 1981 - Emergency Response Team Course with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
• 27 October 1987 - Colonial Police Long Service Award - 18 years Medal or 25/30 year clasp at Government House.
• 21 September 1988 - Marine Board Act 1962 - Certificate of Competency as Engine Driver of Motorboats – Diesel.
• 22 December 1988 - completed Coastal Navigation Course at Bermuda College.
• 21 April 1989 - Certificate of Recognition for Completion of Bermuda Search Planning Review Course.
• 22 June 1989 - Certificate of Training in Aircraft Fire and Rescue with the United States Air Force. 
• 5 July 1989 - Marine Board Act 1962 - Certificate of Competency as Engine Driver of Motorboats – Gasoline.
• 1 February 1990 - Marine Board Act 1962 - Pilots License “C”
• 16 September 1991 - Marine Board Act 1962 - Pilots License “A” & “B”
• 18 December 1996 - Commendation for duties performed assisting the US Coast Guard during the Xing-da illegal Chinese migrant incident between 8 and 9 October 1996.
• 4 November 1999 - Presented with the 30 year clasp for his long service and good conduct medal.
• 23 March 2004 - Recognition at the request of Mr. Mark Selley for bravery awards for saving the life of Mr. Binns who had fallen overboard. With PC Lindo who was operating and positioning the boat so that PC McRonald could dive overboard and recover Mr. Binns. 
• 13 July 2007 - Designated as an Inspector of Section 13 of the Historic Wrecks Act 2001. 

Also providing fitting Tributes to Ralph were retired Superintendent Larry Smith, and The Rev. Fr. Jamaine “Jay” Tucker who had also served in the Bermuda Police Service.

The Pall Bearers were all close colleagues of Ralph’s during his time in the Police Marine Section  -  Mark Bothelo, Perry Fox, Reggie Horseman, Larry Dean, Joey McRonald, Ed Peach, Larry Fox, and Ian McMillan. 

ExPo President Cal Smith, retired COP Michael DeSilva

Members of the MCPS provided a final Police escort for the funeral cortege from the AMIS Memorial Chapel in Warwick to St. Anne’s Church in Southampton.

Ralph will always be fondly remembered by all who  served with him in the Bermuda Police Service, and especially those who worked alongside him in the Motor Cycle Patrol Section (MCPS) and in the Marine Section.