Crime 2000

More than one third of the overseas officers brought in to boost the Island's understaffed Police force have failed their basic fitness test; eight out of the 21 Caribbean recruits could not last the pace and were failed. The officers from Jamaica, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago and Anguilla, arrived at the beginning of last month and were expected to be on the streets by next week.

Comment: okay so you let the fitness standards slip - just how well did they do on their written exams, first-aid, firearms...? Or would you rather not tell us? Just what is your selection criteria when you interview? The situation would be laughable if it were not so serious - you can offer these recruits the opportunity of a lifetime, you are in a position to select the best and those chosen should be keen to demonstrate that they have what it takes to be a credit to you. Why does the island not take advantage of what it has to offer and acquire the best? Possibly it is in someone's interest .... who knows.

New Police not fit - yet

Overseas Police recruits who failed their medical test will still be allowed on the beat according to Police Commissioner Jean-Jacques Lemay.

eight out of 21 Caribbean recruits had not passed the fitness test, Mr. Lemay said this would not stop them taking up their duties later this month.

He said: "They will be encouraged to get themselves physically fit but you have to appreciate they have travelled thousands of miles from different countries. They are probably not familiar with our physical fitness test.."

Comment: Oh boy, will Bermudians really stand for the hogwash being spoon-fed them by the C.O.P? Travelled thousands of miles – what difference does that make? Not familiar with Bermuda fitness tests? What happened, they failed the written test??? You must be joking Commissioner. You are living on a Country as close to sea-level as you are likely to find. What are you suggesting – they are getting used to the low-altitude? So they passed physical tests int heir own Country – did no one think to compare the tests or put them through a Bermuda style test before recruiting?

Face it, the truth is, despite having the highest number of police officers per head of population anywhere in the world, you are still desperate for manpower and are taking anything. UK officers are thinking twice and Bermuda is now having to look to Canada. Hang on, is that not where the Commissioner came from?

Armed and dangerous

Gun-toting gang members have been roaming the streets in the recent upsurge of violence, one frightened Warwick resident said last night.

Comment: In an island where a catapult is an offensive weapon (I kid you not), what is going wrong?

Smith cleared of cocaine charge

By Patrick Burgess
The Royal Gazette Ltd

An admission by a Maurice Chevalier Smith that others may have left drugs in his mother's car led him to be cleared of possession of more than four grams of crack cocaine with intent to supply.

Mr. Warner called "crucial" Smith's admission "it could have been left in my car by other guys last night" and added the case "stands or falls" on a conversation between him and a Police Inspector Gibbons who said that the defendant told him at the time of the arrest that it was not his and that it may have been left in the car by one of the guys the night before."

The twists contained 42 "rock like" pellets of 91 percent pure cocaine weighing 4.04 grams with a reported street value of $2,100 and 0.95 grams of 97 percent pure powder cocaine worth $250.

Comment: Coggy (Inspector Gibbons), I do not know what is worse; you providing the get-out for one of our well known subjects, or the Bermuda police prosecution system that is supposed to 'support' you, permitting the case to proceed so far without considering the evidence. I guess one could expect you to be competent - you can have piles of evidence but the good investigator is the one who plays devil's advocate to the extreme and can negate all defence arguments. Logically, what will be left is a successful prosecution. I am not suggesting you misrepresent the facts, I am saying that you have to know when to give it up (or to progress investigations to negate the account provided).

What were you hoping - that they'd miss this loophole, that you might get away with it or that you'd give it a run? Is it surprising Bermuda is the target of so much drug activity when incompetence is seen to reign? What message does this send?

You may be lucky and not find yourself the subject of a complaint - the investigator would be bound to consider what investigation was made to support the admission and negate the defence put forward. I bet there is nothing. In future, expect life to be more difficult - anyone with drugs in their car will be practicing the line "it could have been left in my car by other guys last night".

The inquiry into how serious crimes are investigated and prosecuted in Bermuda should have plenty to keep themselves busy with this case, hopefully it will not remain beneath a stone which is not overturned.

Jamaican faces fourth trial

The Royal Gazette Ltd

A Jamaican man charged with importing cocaine into Bermuda is in line to face his fourth trial for the alleged offence, Director of Public Prosecutions Khamisi Tokunbo has confirmed.

Clifton Hopeton Morrison's jury was unable to come to a verdict on whether he imported up to $300,000 of liquid cocaine in rum bottles on February 6, 1999.

His lawyer Victoria Pearman questioned the fairness of bringing the father of three from St. Ann's Parish, Jamaica, before the courts again and expressed concern about the effect on her client of having to face yet another trial.

Last July, Morrison was found guilty of importing the drugs and sentenced to 12 years, but the conviction was quashed when the Court of Appeal ruled that Puisne Judge Norma Wade-Miller misdirected the jury.

Comment: strange - whilst I do not condone the importation of drug (if that is what this man has done), I do question the reasonableness of repeated trials. So, a Bermuda Judge misdirected a Jury - not the first time a Court has let down the prosecution or Bermudians. But why 'pick on' this man?

Following the 1991 conviction of Ted Ming and others, the Court over-turned the convictions of all but Antonio Miranda the self confessed co-coordinator of the cocaine importation gang. Poor old Antonio - he entered a plea of 'guilty' - can't really argue with the Court when you've 'put your hands up'. He really must have kicked himself entering a plea of guilty. A re-trial - talked about but nothing more ... the four Bermudians walked free - almost. One of them subsequently admitted he was a drug dealer (in a subsequent trial concerning another importation). Hmmm ... would the re-trial be ordered if this were a Bermudian? Just a question ... I have no idea why Ted Ming et al were never pursued but then, I'm unlikely to hear - did anyone really give a damn?

Until Bermuda can get its act together in the Courts, in addition to being a laughing stock you will continue to be the target of drug dealers who will laugh at your ability to catch and prosecute them. Plead guilty? You must be joking! But this extends further - co-operate with the police when you are caught (an admission of guilt in itself), why? The current situation is undermining the entire legal process. Does no one else see or fear this???

Let's hope Mr Dovaston's report extends beyond the police service and examines the entire judicial system.

Children organising dog fights for cash & drugs

The Royal Gazette Ltd

Youngsters are being paid with drugs to arrange dog fights; children as young as eight are collecting thousands of dollars in cash because drug barons in charge of the fights do not want to risk getting caught.

Mr. Whited (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) said: "It's sickening. It's common knowledge. Many, many juveniles are involved in this. I can't put a figure on it. They are not only being used to collect money, but also to set up fights and publicise them and train the dogs. Asked if children were being lured into the world of drugs, Mr. Whited said: "Most are already involved. The drug and dog fighting worlds run parallel.

"Most of them get paid with drugs. They might be paid a few dollars and get a bag of weed, or whatever

Comment: How much more demoralizing a story do you need? No protection to your children and a generating of drug dealers / criminals in the making.

This time a Bermuda Customs officer, Brenda Azzarioand her local football player boyfriend, Dennis Robinson, are facing 20 years imprisonment in the United States having pled guilty to exporting cocaine.

Azzario was carrying a kilo-and-a-half of cocaine wrapped in Bermuda Customs tape at New York's JFK Airport on route to Bermuda, Mrs. Azzario

Comment: On the other hand, maybe the Customs Service should not be tested for taking drugs, just handling the stuff !!!!

Former top Policeman Wayne Perinchief (now a Government MP) said officers from the Caribbean country of Jamaica would not fit in with the Bermuda force.

Jamaican Association president Winston Laylor said: "It is not my style, nor is it the style of many other Jamaicans residing in Bermuda, to adopt a bellicose and belligerent stance such as that which is espoused by Mr. Perinchief as being typical of the Jamaican personality."

bigot
noun a person blindly and obstinately devoted to a particular set of ideas, creed or political party, and dismissive towards others.

Racial Discrimination (racist)
Treatment of individuals unfavourably compared to others on the grounds of their race.

???????

And Mr Perinchief was a senior police officer - the Assistant Commissioner of Police!!! Want to know more about him, click on the icon:

My regards to the Jamaica Defence Force - those I met in 1989 were keen, enthusiastic, officers, no different to the many law-enforcement officers I have met. What other prejudices do you have Mr Perinchief - is it any wonder we referred to the service as the 'Bermuda police Farce' (as opposed to 'force'). sadly, many of your contemporaries and those who enabled you to climb through the ranks still remain in the police. Frightening.

Hang-on, who is going to make a decision about allegations an officer was smoking cannabis?

Comment: 'back him or sack him' is the cry. Over a month to deal witht he incident? This suggests there is no eveidence. Let's face it, you'd need the remnants of the cigarette he was smoking to prove the case, unless the officer admits the offence. It appears very unlikely this could be produced at this late stage.

So who made the allegation? A fellow officer? If so, what did he do at the time - his duty- arrest the officer for possession and secure the evidence? I don't think so - if it was then that officer is setting himself up to be investigated for dereliction of duty. An allegation from the public? Made when? To whom?

You want to stamp out the use of narcotics by officers - drug test them, it may act as a deterent, but be cautious, you can include narcotics in all manner of consumables ... nothing is as easy as it appears. As for this case, come on Commissioner, make a decision as aopposed to a fool of yourself and the service.

February

No drug testing for Customs officers

The Collector of Customs Bill Ledrew asked for consideration to be given to testing his employees. Apparently, at present their job is not said to be "safety sensitive."

Comment: a child's common question simple but effective; 'why?'
In this instance, 'why not?' appears appropriate. Create a greater divide between Customs and the police if you wish, cause suspicion to be cast on the integrity of Customs officers and make unnecessary complications. But why?

On the other hand, this affords Customs officers an opportunity to express themselves, possibly undo some of the harm done them by colleagues (admittedly as yet not convicted). Why do Customs Officers need directives, legislation, policy - simply volunteer to be tested. Demonstrate a little lateral thinking and let Bermuda know that you have nothing to hide. Just a thought.

By the way, is that Maurice Smith of Middletown (vicinity)? The individual who, the last time I saw him had a red Subaru? If so, who the hell vetted him for the job?

Hodgson worries about the danger of foreigners

Foreigners blamed for a breakdown in society says Environment Minister Arthur Hodgson. Apparently immigration has gone too far!

Comment: Nothing like stirring up a little anti-foreigner feeling. Clearly history teaches some nothing. "The more people you have, the more waste" - very astute. Of course, the more foreigners (who by the nature of their entrance) working and earning reasonable wages, the more money spent on consumables to swell the economy. Some simple economics Arthur: if I have a shop and I pay my rent and utilities etc. they increase very little (if at all) whether I sell 1 item or 10. However my profit is greater. It's a simple concept of fixed costs.

Of course you change the culture of the community. Some would say it becomes cosmopolitan - they are less negative than the Minister. Where's the link between 'importing' a working population and putting pressure on the streets? If you are letting in people to do jobs that could be done by Bermudans then stop it, more to the point, say so.

Has anyone actually asked the Minister what he means by 'puts pressure on the streets'? Just think about the comment; it's rhetoric. Actually it's worse, it appears intended to mislead, it's nonsense that has a solution-sounding ring.

As for 'people laboring for years to get an eight-hour work day', 10 years ago when I was on the Island a number Bermudans I knew had two jobs to make ends meet.

Judge throws out drugs case against Canadian woman

Puisne Judge Charles-Etta Simmons said officers contradicted each other and sometimes their own testimony and threw out a case against a Canadian woman accused of conspiring to import $150,000 of cocaine. She said Police testimony on the conspiracy charge was "tenuous and vague". Their evidence was unsafe because the officers contradicted each other, and sometimes themselves.

Ms Madill was questioned for 3 hours at the Mazarine by the Sea guest house in Pembroke on June 28 last year before she was taken to a Police station, read her prisoner's rights and given access to a lawyer.

Maximchuk, 44, also of Calgary, was imprisoned for seven and a half years last month when he pleaded guilty to possession of the cocaine, which he swallowed in 78 capsules.

Mrs. Justice Simmons said the Crown had provided no evidence that Madill knew anything about the drugs, so it had not established she had possession. Ms Madill had spent seven months in custody.

Comment: at what point does contradiction of testimony, sufficient to cause a case of some substance to be dismissed, amount to perjury?

Governor to decide office's fate

Police Association chairman Sgt. Mike Jackman has expressed concern over the speed with which the firing of the officer occurred saying "We believe the Police code provides adequate provisions for disciplining officers. He should be given due process, but this usurps due process by using an obscure section of the Police Act."

He said the normal practice was for a senior officer to hear the evidence and to make a recommendation to the Commissioner. The Commissioner could then increase the penalty but the procedure also gave the accused officer seven days to appeal the decision to the Public Service Commission.

Mr. Jackman said by using a little-known section of the Police Act, the officer's only route of appeal would be to sue through the courts.

Sgt. Jackman also attacked Police officers who had savaged the accused officer anonymously through the media. He said: "People are implying he's guilty before the investigation has been done...he has to be given the due process of the law."

Comment: people will always imply guilt. I have first hand experience of the Discipline Code and the inability or unwillingness of the service to implement it. It appears it is the procedure which needs to be addressed, no mention of the officer not being 'guilty' though.

Prisoners charged with trafficking heroin

Following their attempt to exchange heroin at the Prison Farm in St. George's in October 1999, a male and female prisoner have appeared in Magistrate's Court.

Heroin use increasing despite Police denials

Heroin use is on the rise in Bermuda - despite Police claims to the contrary, according to drugs experts.

Ch. Insp. Larry Smith, of the Narcotics squad, told The Royal Gazette that there was no evidence to say that heroin had risen in popularity. However, drugs workers directly contradicted this and confirmed that prices were plummeting - indicating that supplies had shot up.

Dealers are now selling tiny hits of heroin for as little as $10. the report added; "It's about supply and demand. I am sure it's never gone below $50 before. It's the same with cocaine."

"I don't think the Police are really interested in which particular drug people are doing. They are just concerned with catching them.

Comment: what a sorry state of affairs. Less of the bitching please and a concerted effort to combat the problem. Heroin is a dirty killer. The means of administration should put most off. Cannabis and cocaine were always the 'drugs of choice', easier to take with a more sophisticated stigma.

Sure, the price of heroin may have dropped but do not quote supply and demand (basic economic concepts) unless you are prepared to accept both sides of the simplistic equation:

It is more likely that '2' is the case. Narcotics do not respond in accordance with usual supply and demand rules, why not? Because as a commodity they are in a unique trading environment. Drugs dealers have the luxury of operating in a market affected by very strong outside influences - regulation and dependency.

Drug dealers do not drop the price because there is a great demand. Their price can be articifially maintained because the demand dis not affected by the usual rules - demand is affected by dependency.

It is time to act Bermuda. If drug prices are low there are those out there offering candy to your 'children'. They are enticing people to try - it's the 'special offer' principle. But unlike most products, free will is compromised. Don't like, won't buy is a possibility. Do like MUST buy is the intention.

But, by reference to the above, dealers are not giving that great a deal; these are 'tiny hits'.

I would suggest that you should be praising your police service if the cost of a narcotic has plummeted. Someone is trying to lure customers.

Heroin is the worst of the three drugs seen on the island, the users are a close community, the quantity used to achieve a 'high' is miniscule and the profits to be made immense. Sadly, it is starting to become increasingly popular again but of all the drugs, it is one which could (to a great extent) be combated by fear. Most of the heroin addicts I knew are dead, most departed unceremoniously suffering from aliments which would have made death a welcome release; their existence was hand to mouth, they were slave to the drug.

So, Focus counselor Sandy Butterfield who advises that heroin use is on the increase, do you have an alternative agenda? Is this your opportunity to make a statement, receive your 15 minutes of fame? Possibly you should reconsider your position and ask yourself some soul searching questions. You appear to be part of the problem, not the solution.

I have no love for the police but I have every respect for Bermudans. You appear to be taking cheap shots. Sadly, here will be those who take your comments at face value - I would suggest your only appeal is to the 'sheep' - followers with no mind of their own. If belief is placed in your statements then Bermuda is doomed. I ask you to reconsider your comments and accept that they are flawed before irreparable damage is caused.

this is a naive comment. Do you really think we do not know which drug someone has been taking? The paraphernalia seized, the condition of the subject and their confession (they tell us alright) is more than enough. Drug users will always tell us what they are on - it helps to prevent their death int he case of complications but more importantly; they don't give a damn.

To arrest you require a power, generally possession of the drug or equipment - both are none too subtle clues about the drug used. If they are under the influence I can assure you, it takes little to ascertain what they have taken; you only need ask some really obscure questions for them to volunteer everything.

"I don't think the Police are really interested in which particular drug people are doing. They are just concerned with catching them.

I trust this is praise, it appears to be derogatory. Bermuda is awash with drugs. I suspect they have no time to 'specialise' in a drug and are happy to receive whatever information they can to prevent the spread. I think you will find they are only capable of 'catching them'. The problem is infiltrating the suppliers.

You will appreciate that I am, for a change, rather impressed with Bermuda's situation but I am fearful the facts are being misrepresented.

Living the high life of a drugs dealer

" career thief and drug addict" sentenced to a 15 year prison term for the attempted murder of a schoolteacher, Dafydd Hermann-Smith who he stabbed twice in the chest after breaking into his home. Puisne Judge Charles-Etta Simmons called David Anthony Eugene Dill a "desperately vicious, morally corrupt and dangerous person"

Dill had eight pages of previous convictions; breaking and entering, drug possession and motorcycle thefts,

Comment: the defence are to appeal. Really? Okay, so the junkie did not take a knife into the house, he simply used one that he found so the assault was not premeditated. BUT, he took the time to locate a knife and used it - not just as a threat. He stabbed his victim more than once and mention was been made of his making a calm get-away. Was this school teacher victim such a threat that Mr. Dill needed to 'protect himself' or ensure escape by risking (and it is important to think about what one must anticipate by taking a knife to another human being) killing someone. And for what? The chances of being caught ofr house-breaking are reasonable but not guaranteed, especially if one runs like mad! So what is the point in stabbing someone? To ensure escape - that would mean an intention to

The School teacher should have died by Mr Dill's hand. His actions are no different to those of a police officer armed with a gun; if we shoot every bullet should be considered a killer. Our situation differs in that we are rational, calculating and in control. The public needs to be protected from those whose faculties are not consistent with the reasonable standards we expect of the norm.

Time to face the truth - Mr Dill needs protecting from himself; whilst a repentant person, clearly he has serious anti-social problems and iof only to ensure he is no longer led into temptation and his conscious is protected, it is best he be kept in a secure unit. As for Bermudans, hopefully they can sleep a little safer in the knowledge Mr dill is not about and that his like will think twice about breaking into their homes and never think about using violence.

To the judge; congratulations. The sentence appear to fit the crime. To the defence; do nto forget your client's sentence can be increased at appeal - let's hope the decision is to impose a minimum term of incarceration prior to release; 15 years sounds appropriate.

William Maximchuk, a Canadian, is to be sentenced after smuggling, in June 1998, $150,000 of cocaine into Bermuda. He admitted the offence. Paula Madill, also of Calgary, denies possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply.

Comment: another fraction of the substance is seized for a person wishing to profit from Bermuda's status as probably 'the most expensive place in the world to buy cocaine'

Tony Bukhari, a former Policeman, faces allegations concerning the death of Liz Cadell (former sub editor for The Royal Gazette).

Comment: another case in with which I have seen Sergeant Carlton 'socky' Adams ( you haven't really made him Chief Inspector have you - the police service must be seriously short of manpower) name associated. Let's hope he is not involved or, given his track record as a malicious incompetent, the trial will be a farce and no one will receive justice.

Bissoonduthsing Ramchurn, of St. George's, faces a manslaughter charge in relation to the death of German student Catrin Schaefer in summer 1999.

Police can recruit overseas but a crisis could befall the service when 50 officers are due to retire this summer. Police Commissioner Jean-Jacques Lemay ( e-mail: lemayjj@ibl.bm ) is understood to have said that the police are seeking experienced overseas male officers. Apparently, criminals were exploiting the manpower shortage.

if the Commissioner had made such an unqualified statement it was "extraordinary" and "discourteous to Government".

The Commissioner is reported as saying:
"We want someone with at least five years' experience, males only. We have a number of females who continue to arrive on our doorstep asking to join the Police force. We need experienced Police officers to train our Police officers to do Police work."

Comment: No you don't, you want 'yes men'. You do not want free thinking, competent staff with experience. Some of your sergeants and above require malleable men and individuals who they can persecute for the most trivial of alleged discipline matters. You require bodies on whom those ear-marked for senior positions can tread; fresh blood, people who, due to being in a foreign environment, far from home with little support, can be bullied and victimised.

Shadow Home Affairs Minister Michael Dunkley is said to have described the situation pertaining to mass resignations as " chilling in light of soaring crime rates revealed last week"

Premier Jennifer Smith is reported (by the Royal Gazette) as saying foreign recruits weren't a panacea, the Government hoped to encourage former Policemen to rejoin. However an earlier attempt to attract former officers failed.

Mention has also been made of the pension scheme; the situation whereby at 8 years an officer has to decide to stay for a further 17 years (locking in their pension contributions) or leaving and having their pension contributions returned.

Comment: and what of those who do leave at, or before, the 8 year point? Sure, their contributions are returned BUT Bermuda are supposed to contribute a like amount (the same as our contributions) to the pension scheme. This money should also be made avaliable to a retiring officer when they leave, albeit transferred into a UK ? Carribean pension scheme. You just try to get your money - no one I know of to date has been successful in having this contribution received.

In addition to refusing (7 weeks after the incident) to say if they are making progress in the murder of Glen Calvin Wolffe, other than say a weapon was involved, they won't say how he died.

BERMUDA CUSTOMS OFFICER AND PRO-SOCCER PLAYER BOYFRIEND ARRESTED AND INDICTED ON COCAINE CHARGES

New York, NY - Two individuals who were arrested by U.S. Customs Inspectors at JFK Airport in December were indicted on January 13, 2000 in the U.S. Federal Court, Eastern District of New York (Brooklyn), for conspiring to export approximately four (4) pounds of cocaine to Bermuda from JFK International Airport.

On December 21, 1999, based on information provided by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Customs Inspectors at JFK Airport conducted an outbound examination of Betty Azzario, a 34 year-old citizen of Bermuda, who was scheduled to depart aboard American Airlines flight #1444 to Bermuda.

Upon examination, Customs Inspectors discovered approximately 1,841 grams of cocaine secreted in Azzario’s checked-in baggage and wrapped in official “Bermuda Customs” tape. Azzario stated that the bag was hers, that she is a Bermuda Customs Officer, and she displayed her Customs badge.

Customs Special Agents, along with DEA Special Agents, arrested Ms. Azzario for exportation of cocaine (21USC 953).

Azzario subsequently admitted to transporting the narcotics for her boyfriend, Dennis Robinson, a 29 year-old Bermuda citizen, who was also in New York and staying in a Manhattan hotel. On December 22, 1999, Mr. Robinson was arrested after making arrangements with Ms. Azzario and subsequently meeting her in the Hotel lobby. Upon conducting a warranted search of his hotel room, agents seized various records and personal effects owned by Mr. Robinson. Customs Agents have since learned that Mr. Robinson is a current member of the Bermudian National Football (soccer) team.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office , Eastern District of New York, is prosecuting this case. The defendents have been charged with conspiracy to export cocaine, and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. If convicted on all charges, the defendants face up to 40 years imprisonment.

Cops fail fitness test

New Police not fit - yet

Armed and dangerous

Smith cleared of cocaine charge

By Patrick Burgess The Royal Gazette Ltd

Jamaican faces fourth trial

The Royal Gazette Ltd

Children organising dog fights for cash & drugs