1963
Summary
This is the third in a series of articles by Retired Detective Superintendent George Rose about the years during which the Bermuda Police was headed by Commissioner George Robins. This article deals relates to 1963, and much of the information has been gathered from the daily and weekend newspapers along with the Police Magazines.
Early in 1963 Commissioner Robins expressed concern about problems with juvenile crime and wondered if having a YMCA could be a helpful solution. A small science laboratory was established at Police Headquarters which was already reducing the costs of needing to send evidential material overseas for testing, and during a visit to Bermuda, the British Home Secretary paid a visit to police headquarters and said he was impressed by what he saw there.
In March the Bermuda Police Association raised “important grievances’ that existed in the Police Force including salaries, housing allowances, conditions of service and leave arrangements, which were brought before Commissioner Robins. A subsequent Civil Service Report made recommendations on these matters to the Legislature. Later in the year a new salary scale for police was presented to the House, and a revised Police Act was placed before the Executive Council for consideration with provisions that were said to be likely to provide the Force with much needed stability for years to come.
In June of his third year as Commissioner, Mr. Robins released the annual Police Report for 1962 in which he noted favorable reaction to the introduction of policewomen, along with the effectiveness of Beach patrols, the Dog Section, Cycle Squad, and the separation of the Police as a body from the Civil Service.
In July the Commissioner commented on the increased size of the Police Force noting that in 1957 the establishment of the Bermuda Police was 163. During the year of the Warwick Murders (1959) in stood at 211, and in 1960 it increased to 274. Mr. Robins observed that Bermuda had a bigger police force than other countries of a similar size, but pointed out that one of its the most important functions was “to ensure that the tourists enjoy Bermuda with a minimum of interference or molestation of any sort.” He also commented on the increasing prevalence of unlicensed firearms, and identified marijuana as becoming a growing menace in Bermuda.
August saw the re-introduction of Bermuda’s traditional Parish Constables. Mr. Robins noted that the appointment of parish constables was as old as Bermuda’s parliament, dating back to 1620, and way back then parish constables swore an oath of office just as constables were doing in 1963.
Hurricane Arlene directly struck Bermuda in August keeping the Island Police busy and causing thousands of pounds worth of damage, but no casualties. One positive effect of preparing for Hurricane Arlene was that advanced preparations for it led to the formation of what later became known as the Emergency Measures Organization.
In October Commissioner Robins travelled to Houston, Texas, to attend the 70th Annual Conference of Chiefs of Police. This was the first time any Bermuda Chief of Police had attended the conference.
November saw two serious sexual assaults (rapes) committed in Warwick Parish, which again raised the issue of whether there should be a permanent police-sub-station in Warwick Parish to serve the Western Parishes. This proposal was first raised during the Warwick Murders in 1959. Although the proposal was never adopted, Commissioner Robins wanted to thank the residents of Warwick and the Salvation Army Church in Warwick for allowing their church to be used to house a temporary police station during the rape enquiries, and he presented a new table tennis table to the Salvation Army as a token of the appreciation of the Police.
Also in November the Police launched a short police recruiting film in an effort to attract more Bermudians to consider a career in the Police.
The Police Training School was getting into full swing in 1963, with Basic Training Course No. 3 having been held from April - June for local recruits, and in December Basic Training Course No. 4 was completed for 12 expatriate officers from the U.K.
During 1963 Commissioner Robins continued to encourage members of the Police Force to get involved in local sports, such as cricket and football, rugby, field hockey, squash, billiards and snooker, and one sport that was rapidly increasing in popularity was sailing (snipes). A group of young police officers had earlier formed the Bermuda Police Boat Club and at its annual prizegiving in December, Mr. Ronnie Marshall from Spanish Point Boat Club commended the Police for doing an admirable job under great difficulties, and observed that their participation in sports led to a better understanding between the Police and the public. The Police also had a team participating in the Somers Isle Rifle Club with the police team winning the 1963 annual J.E. Lightbourne Cup. Our two 1963 Police Magazines, published in