Following the launch of the “Policing in Paradise” series on BBC Television in England and on BBC iPlayer, we asked our members both here and abroad to let us know what they thought of the series which is essentially a documentary about policing in Bermuda, and features members of the BPS in action in the normal course of their duties. CLICK HERE for our first report on “Policing in Paradise”.
One of the first guys to reply was Frank Wood who served here from 1973 until 1980 before returning to the UK and joining the Northumbria Police. Frank gave us a comment about the show, and he also kindly provided the information below for our “Then and Now” column.
Firstly his comments about “Policing in Paradise” “I have watched the first four episodes of policing in Paradise and found the programme well balanced in content between serious and not so serious incidents. It also shows Bermuda as a beautiful island.
“It was interesting to hear but not surprising that only 10% of current personnel are from the U.K.
Here is the information Frank also provided about his life before, during and after his time here in Bermuda:-
Having been a police officer for 3 years in the UK I joined the Bermuda Police in October 1973 as part of an intake of 14 trained officers. I was initially posted to St George's for a couple of years before transferring to Operations Department at Prospect.
I played football (goalkeeper) for the Police and for Hotels International, as well as playing cricket and tennis for Police teams.
Back row (l-r) Ian Morrison, Gerry Lyons, Alan Cleave, John Harper, Frank Wood, Eric Robinson*, Chris Mitchell*, Dave Walker*.
I remained at Operations until I left Bermuda in May 1980 when I returned to the UK and married my wife Val who I met in Bermuda where she worked as a nurse at KEMH.
I joined Northumbria Police and carried out various roles in and around the Newcastle area until I retired as an Inspector in 2007.
Val worked in the NHS until she retired in 2011.
We have a son and daughter and 4 grandchildren who have kept us busy over the years. We live in a small village near Hexham, Northumberland. (Frank kindly provided us with this recent photo of himself with his wife Val and grandson Alfie.)
Over the years we have travelled extensively and have returned to Bermuda on 2 occasions in 2008 and on a cruise ship in 2018.
Bermuda is up there with them all In terms of scenery and beaches.
I look forward to watching the remaining episodes which can only be good for tourism.
Please send my regards to anyone who remembers me.