George Herbert Robins, MBE, CBE, KPM, OStJ, CPM, served as Commissioner of Police here in Bermuda from April 1961 to November 1969, following his initial appointment as Deputy Commissioner as of 1st May 1960.   Prior to his arrival here in Bermuda  Mr. Robins had served as a Colonial police officer since 1930 when he was appointed as an Assistant Superintendent in Ceylon.  He was promoted to Superintendent in 1943 at which time he was in charge of the War Emergency Department in Colombo.  He served in Ceylon for 18 years,  and in 1948 he  was appointed as a Senior Superintendent in  Tanganyika (now Tanzania).

From 1950 - 1952 Mr. Robins served as the Director of Colonial Police studies at the Police College in Coventry, England, prior to returning to Tanganyika for 2 years as Assistant Police Commissioner. Mr. Robins returned to Cyprus as Commissioner of Police from 1954 – 1957, prior to being appointed Acting Police Commissioner in Nigeria until early 1960.

Having had a distinguished career in the Colonial Police, Mr. Robins was selected by the Secretary of State for the Colonies as Deputy Commissioner of Police in Bermuda to replace Deputy Commissioner,  Mr. Maxwell B. Parker who was due to retire on 1^st May 1960.

Bermuda experienced some of the most turbulent times in its history in the struggle for desegregation and equal voting rights during the late 1950’s and early 1960’s.

In June 1959, Bermuda’s six movie theatres were successfully boycotted by black Bermudians in a protest against segregated seating. Within a week the theatre owners announced an end to segregated seating.  The Theatre boycott was a pivotal moment in the struggle for desegregation and racial equality at a time when blacks  were still being denied entry into  civil service jobs,  post offices and banks, with black workers being paid less than white workers, and blatant segregation in hotels. It was the beginning of the end for segregation in not only theatres but also in restaurants and hotels.

Dock Strike -  September 1959 

In September 1959,  Bermuda experienced its first major industrial action  when Hamilton’s dockworkers went on strike just 3 months after the equally momentous Theatre Boycott.  Fortunately, after having the Riot Act being read by a magistrate from the balcony of a Front Street store, the dock workers and the gathered crowd peacefully dispersed.  

The Police Force was responsible for law and order and officers were present to monitor both the Theatre boycott and the Dock strike.   CLICK HERE for a first-hand description of the  scene on Front Street by a young new constable, P.C. Mike Cherry, as the situation escalated to the point where a small handful of policemen, with no prior training, having been issued with ex-army tin helmets, wicker shields, and long wooden batons, marched down Front Street “to be met by an unruly mob of dockworkers supplemented by others all seemingly armed with an assortment of ugly weapons …. (including) nasty looking swords and pieces of rebar.” Fortunately,  due to behind-the-scenes discussions, along with the efforts of longshoreman “Pork Chop” Mills, a physical confrontation was avoided but it was clear that the demands for justice and equal rights would continue and the police would need proper training in how to best handle future industrial actions.

During these difficult times only a small number of blacks were involved in elected political office due to the lack of voting rights for blacks, and it would be five more years before Bermuda finally had equal voting rights.  

The Police Force had long had a problem recruiting Bermudians into the Police Force, and very few local officers were promoted above the rank of Sergeant. In fact Edward “Bosun” Swainson made history for the second time when he became the first black officer promoted to the rank of Inspector on 1^st February 1949. “Bosun” had earlier made  history for the first time when he scored the first century in Cup Match in 1937. CLICK HERE to view his lifestory in the “Hall of Fame” column of our ExPo website.  

One of the major problems for black officers was the lack of any formal training for new recruits.  For many years this comprised spending a few days in Hamilton Police Station studying law books and hand-written notes under the supervision of a senior officer.   For example, when young Frederick “Penny” Bean joined the Police Force in 1956 his basic training included spending a week reading through law manuals under the direction of Inspector Jack “Tug” Wilson at Hamilton Police Station. 

Young Frederick "Penny" Bean

As the need for more police officers increased,  the Force began to recruit officers in the 1950’s  from the UK, either young men with previous police experience, or men who were usually ex-military men who had completed their National Service. The young men without previous police experience were required to attend a 3 month Basic Training Course at the Police Training School at Millmeece in Staffordshire prior to their arrival in Bermuda.  This was in stark contrast to the training received by Bermudian recruits although by 1960 the Police Force was sending a few officers on specialized courses in the UK.

At about the time of Mr.  Robins’ arrival in Bermuda in 1960, our tourism industry was rapidly expanding with more visitors arriving by air.  Traffic on the Island’s roads was rapidly increasing with more motor vehicles, along with livery cycles being ridden by tourists, and illegal drugs were beginning to appear on Island.

Mr. Robins would have just over 12 months to acclimatize  to the exigencies of police work here in Bermuda before being promoted to Commissioner of Police with effect from 2^nd April 1961, a position he held for the next  8 years until his retirement in November 1969.

18 years after his retirement, Mr. Robins returned to Bermuda at the age of 77 on a short visit during which time he attended a social function held in his honour,  hosted by Mr. Frederick “Penny” Bean, the young constable who had joined the Bermuda Police in 1956 and had received his “training” under the direction of then Inspector John “Tug” Wilson.  However, by the  time of Mr. Robins return,  “Penny” Bean has risen through the ranks to become Commissioner of Police, a position he held for 10 years.

Commissioner of Police Frederick "Penny" Bean

During a speech at the function held at the Hamilton Princess Hotel, Mr. Bean credited Mr Robins for laying, “the foundation of what we enjoy today as a first class Police Force.” Mr. Bean recalled that one of the many accomplishments of the former Commissioner was the establishment of the Narcotics Department – as it was then known”.  Additionally he had increased Special Branch activities, insisted on two fully trained and qualified (Marine) launch crews,  and started policing at the airport.”

“His primary task of Bermudianising the Force was no easy matter” Mr. Bean stressed. “However, he had a vision and persevered.”

Mr. Bean concluded by saying, “I am proud at being a part of that living testimony of his efforts and, if you glance around this room tonight, you will observe others who shared his experience. George Robins gave to us Bermudians a sense of pride and dignity. He showed that he cared, and providing that we were loyal, worked hard and applied our God given talents, the results would come.”

CLICK HERE for an article in the Police Magazine - Winter 1987 (page 17) about the visit by Mr. Robins. 

As a means of recognizing the difficulties and hurdles faced by Mr. Robins during his tenure as Commissioner of Police here in Bermuda,  we are publishing a series of articles compiled by retired Superintendent George Rose who has conducted extensive research through local and international newspapers, House of Assembly records,  and our own Police Magazines,  to piece together the record of Mr. Robins’ 9 years in Bermuda, first as Deputy Commissioner, and then as our Commissioner of Police.  

CLICK HERE for the first article in this series. 

1909 – 1959

George had a brother who later became the Rev. Henry Temple Robins, who had been Bishop Cashmore’s curate but who was, in 1960, the rector of Whimple, near Exeter, Devon. This same Rev. Henry’s oldest daughter [Commissioner Robins’ niece] is the godchild of Bishop Cashmore. 

George married Lucy Ethel Bedwell in March 1935 in Hendon, Middlesex, England. 

Lucy "Lou" was born on November 11, 1910 in Highbury, London, England. She died in 1985 in Attard, Malta.

Mr. Robins left Ceylon in 1948 and moved to Tanganyika (now Tanzania) as a Senior Superintendent.

Between the years 1950 to 1952 he was director of Colonial Police studies at the Police College, which was then near Coventry and is now in Hampshire, England. 

In 1952 he returned to Tanganyika as Assistant Police Commissioner. 

The recipients of honours are displayed as they were styled before their new honour –   George Herbert Robins MBE Assistant Commissioner of Police, Tanganyika. 

Mr. Robins was Deputy Commissioner until 1954 when he left Tanganyika and proceeded to Cyprus.

Between 1954 and 1957 Mr. Robins was Commissioner of Police in Cyprus, before becoming acting Police Commissioner in Nigeria until early 1960.

In 1960 he was admitted as a Grade IV Officer of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.

Having had a distinguished career in the Colonial Police, Mr. Robins was selected by the Secretary of State for the Colonies as Deputy Commissioner of Police in Bermuda to replace Deputy Commissioner,  Mr. Maxwell B. Parker who was due to retire on 1^st May 1960.

The retirement of Deputy Commissioner  Parker, and the appointment Mr. George Robins as Deputy Commissioner of Police in Bermuda was first announced publicly in the following articles published by the Royal Gazette and the Bermuda Recorder on Saturday March 19, 1960 as follows:[

After nearly 25 years' service in the Bermuda Police Force, Mr. M. B. Parker is retiring on May 1. He came here from Barbados, where he was a junior Inspector, in November,1935. 

In January,1938 he was promoted to Assistant Superintendent and in July, 1941 he became Deputy Commissioner, a post he holds today. Announcement of Mr. Parker's retirement was made by the Colonial Secretariat yesterday. 

Replacing Mr. Parker is Mr. George Herbert Robins, whose first police appointment was as Assistant Superintendent in Ceylon in 1930. Nineteen years later he was transferred to Tanganyika as a Senior Superintendent; he was promoted to Assistant Commissioner in 1951 and Deputy Commissioner in 1953. 

Mr. Robins’ next appointment took him to Cyprus, where he remained for three years as Commissioner of Police. In September 1957, he was re-engaged as Deputy Commissioner of Police, Federation of Nigeria, and is currently on leave in the United Kingdom from that post. He is married and has three children.

The Secretary of State for the Colonies has selected Mr. George Herbert Robins M.B.E., K.P.M., for appointment to the post of Deputy Commissioner of Police, Bermuda, to replace Mr. M. B. Parker who will be retiring on 1st May 1960.

Mr. Robins’ first police appointment was as an Assistant Superintendent in Ceylon in 1930. He was transferred to Tanganyika as a Senior Superintendent in 1949 and promoted to Assistant Commissioner in 1951 and Deputy Commissioner in 1953. In 1954 he was appointed Commissioner of Police, Cyprus, and served in that territory until he retired in June 1957.

In September, 1957 he was re-engaged as Deputy Commissioner of Police, Federation of Nigeria, and is currently on leave in the United Kingdom from that post.

Mr. Robins is married and has three children. He will be accompanied to Bermuda by Mrs. Robins.

ANNUAL POLICE REPORT  -  In late April 1960,  Commissioner of Police, R.G. Henderson submitted the following Annual Report to the House of Assembly as reported in the Royal Gazette on Monday May 2^nd 1960.

The Police Commissioner’s Report, as reported in The Royal Gazette (RG) on Saturday, had been submitted to the House of Assembly the previous day and is here reproduced in full. 

Mr. R. G. Henderson, among other things, asks for Jaguar cars for his road squads, two women policemen, increases in pay for some ranks, increased training courses in the United Kingdom, reinforcements at Hamilton Docks, and a police station in Warwick's "Murder Mile." 

The Governor stated in passing the report to the House that he suggested the pay increases be acted on at once, together with the reinforcements for the docks and the Warwick police station.

The Commissioner prefaced his report dated April 18, [1960] by recalling that he was asked on December 4 last year to make a full report on the Police Force and to state: 

Here is the text:

1  – This report deals mainly with the third question from the House of Assembly and gives an explanation as to why I consider the answer to both the first, and to a lesser extent the second, is "no." 

A summary, with the estimated cost, is given at the end. 

2  – Establishment, General – Present authorized establishment (all ranks) is 211. 

Present actual strength (as on 18.4.60) is 179. Vacancies 32. 

Apart from local recruitment, which I am anxious to encourage, the shortage of single men's quarters limits the intake of overseas personnel. The Crown Agents are in the process of recruiting 31 men which it is hoped, if there are no further resignations in the near future, will bring the strength up to establishment. (There were 18 resignations last year,)

3  –  The Band Block, which is situated to the north of the Prospect Parade Ground, has been earmarked for the Police. This will accommodate 16 single men and the Crown Lands have intimated that this Block will be available for occupation in August, 1960. Sixteen men can be quartered at Admiralty House but should this building be required for any other purpose the Force would be in need of a further 16 rooms. In short there will be just sufficient accommodation for the present authorized establishment when the Band Block is completed and provided that Admiralty House is still available. 

URGENT 

4  –  Housing,  The housing question requires urgent attention. It controls the strength situation and, until rectified, an increase in establishment is not possible.

5  –  Establishment,   If full establishment (211) were reached, I do not think it would be sufficient for the Force to discharge efficiently its normal duties. The increase, which I am recommending, will rectify this situation and at the same time provide the manpower to deal with any foreseeable emergency. My recommendations, in order of urgency and priority, are as follows: 

6  –  A schedule of the present and proposed distribution of establishment, including Gazetted Officers, is shown in Appendix 1.

It will be noted that this establishment which I am recommending includes a substantial increase in the number of Sergeants (21 – 39) and three new posts of Assistant Superintendent of Police. This, I am convinced, is a very necessary improvement to provide better prospects of promotion and is a point which Superintendent Lewis particularly stressed with regard to the C.I.D.   Promotion to the new posts would be made from within the Force.

7  –  In order to accommodate the increased establishment as soon as possible, I recommended that Government rent or purchase suitable buildings in the areas in which the men will work.  

8  –  DETAILS: 

The amount should be at the following rate:

I am endeavoring to find a suitable plot with about ⅓ to ½ an acre of land on or near Middle Road in the vicinity of the junction with Khyber Pass. The Public Works Department have drawn a plan of a suitable building (attached to original copy of this report). I suggest that, until this new Station is built, Government rent a house in the same locality as a temporary measure. 

I was advised by all persons, with whom I came in contact during my enquiries that the most suitable car for our purposes would be a Jaguar. This car is slightly larger than our law at present allows (2¾ inches wider and 14¾ inches longer) but in view of its suitability for police work I strongly recommend that legislation be introduced to enable the Police to use Jaguar cars for Patrol work. The T.C.B. have informed me that they would have no objection to the amendment. These cars are used by 39 different Police Forces in the United Kingdom and are very suitable for the housing of wireless equipment. 

(b)  Increase in Establishment. Increase from 211 (all ranks) to 273 which includes two Police Women. 

(c)  Creation of more higher-ranking posts.

(d)  Salary Increases.

(e)  Training. Instructional courses to be stepped up. 

(f)   Allowances for detectives and specialists. 

(g)  Police Station. New police station to be built in Warwick Parish. House to be rented until building completed. 

(h)  Police Patrol Cars. Regulations to be amended to enable the force to use larger cars than are now permitted. 

15  –  COST. 

The figures given below are approximations, but they are as near as it is possible for me to estimate: 

Annual Recruitment Expenditure (New establishment at proposed rates)

Less

                                                                      TOTAL       £103,544

16  –  Building up the Force will be a slow process and I do not think the cost to Government will reach the full estimated total until 1964. A jump in local recruitment, which might possibly take place as a result of improvements in conditions of service in regards to both salaries and prospects, would of course reduce the estimated expenditure.

Appointment of New Deputy Commissioner  -  The Winter edition of the BPS MAGAZINE at page 38 announced as follows the arrival in the colony of Mr. Gordon (sic) Herbert Robins, MBE to fill the post of Deputy Commissioner of Police.

Deputy Commissioner Robins’ wife, Lou, was an excellent artist who quickly became actively involved in the local arts scene, as evidenced  by the following article in the Royal Gazette on June 20^th 1960.

MARINE ART EXHIBITION REFLECTS MOODS OF SEA

Use a little imagination and you will be able to smell the sea when you go [to] the Art Gallery of the City Hall. Another excellent art exhibition, sponsored by the Bermuda Society of Arts, opened on Saturday and will continue until July 23. The theme is nautical and purposefully coincides with the Bermuda Race, now well under way. 

Familiar are the local beach scenes, and especially eye-catching and well executed are those by Helen C. Wayland, Ruth Fountain, Ruth Hooper, Lou Robins, F. Kenwood Giles and Humbert. 

The sailing ships of days gone by and local fishing smacks are captured well by Captain Musson, Lou Robins, D. M. Kirkpatrick and John Mitz. Captain Musson has another good "ship" painting which he presumably did in New York against the famous skyline. Lou Robins must also be commended for her beach scene at Lagos Lagoon in Nigeria.

The Royal Gazette reported on Friday June 24th 1960, that the House of Assembly was considering information on housing rented to police officers, along with proposed salary increases:-

PRIVATE PROPERTIES (All furnished unless otherwise noted)

CROWN LANDS PROPERTIES (Rented unfurnished – all with Government owned furniture)

*At present occupied by 66 Police Officers.

Maurading Dogs Problem  -   Deputy Commissioner Robins volunteered as a member of a committee set up to examine problems with marauding dogs throughout the Island as reported in this articdle in the Royal Gazette on August 13^th 1960.

TRAPS SEEN AS BEST SOLUTION TO PROBLEM OF MARAUDING DOGS

Holding the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr. Robins is reported as being a voluntary committee member set up to examine the problem of marauding dogs around the Island.

Trapping was thought to be the answer but the question of who was to set the traps was considered by the committee chairman Lt.-Col. Astwood who said he thought the solution to this would be to have the police set them out when complaints were received concerning dogs on the prowl. 

He said the help of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals would be enlisted to open the traps and take care of the animals apprehended in that manner. In this way the animals would be well treated, especially innocent dogs who happened to wander into the traps. The committee were to meet again shortly to finalize their plans.

EDITORS NOTE -  Our next article will cover the year 1961.