The Island’s first Bermudian policewoman was honoured yesterday as part of celebrations marking the 135th anniversary of the Bermuda Police Service.

Jean Delight Vickers, 80, of Warwick, was recognised as a trailblazer by Police Commissioner Michael DeSilva at the annual Seniors’ Tea, held as part of Police Week.

“I was so surprised to be honoured, I didn’t know they were going to honour me,” said Mrs Vickers, who joined the Service, then the Bermuda Police Force, on January 8, 1962, and retired on May 27, 1987.

“They gave me a beautiful bouquet of flowers, I feel wonderful. It’s lovely to be here and see my colleagues — there are lots of policewomen here.”

Hailed by one officer at the event as the “first First Lady of the Service”, Mrs Vickers started her career as PC Mattis in the Police Women’s Department, overseeing matters involving women and children.

These included everything from domestic violence and rape to handling female prisoners when they were arrested and had to be searched. The women officers also performed station duties and investigated crimes such as shoplifting and thefts.

Mrs Vickers praised the Department’s Scottish Inspector, her mentor Isobel Lee, for being “so good to me” and said she “taught me everything I had to know”.

The bright young Bermudian quickly shone as a rising star in the force, being awarded numerous commendations, and was promoted to Sergeant in May 1968.

She filled Inspector Lee’s shoes in July 1977, taking over as the officer in charge of the Police Women’s Department.

“One of my favourite memories is we used to have an organisation called The Black Stockings, named because we all wore black stockings at that time,” Mrs Vickers said.

“We used to have bake sales and efforts to raise money — we’d give the elderly meals on wheels and sent youth to Outward Bound.

“We were involved in the community and got to know families, we were family oriented.”

The Black Stockings were founded in the early 1960s with Mrs Vickers’s help — that same decade she was instrumental in the launch of a scheme for young offenders of minor crimes.

Instead of being prosecuted, they would embark on the scheme and their special interests — such as music or woodwork — would be assisted by a sponsor, while a dedicated officer would take a keen interest in their education. Graduation from the scheme meant the youngster avoided a criminal record.

Hundreds successfully passed through the initiative, which was dropped after Mrs Vickers retired.

“In 1966 we launched the Juvenile Liaison Scheme for first offenders,” she said. “We would get the complainant, the parents and the police and agree to the child getting on the scheme.

“It was about preventing the child from getting into trouble and getting a criminal record. They’d be supervised for six, nine or 12 months.

“We’d get to know the families, get to know the parents. If the child was inclined towards piano lessons or carpentry we’d take them to learn what they liked.

“They never should have got rid of that scheme. The police force is there to be the strong arm of the law but we have to learn that some people have different situations, you have to look at all that’s not right in a family and put them in touch with counsellors or a minister.”

Current Commissioner Mr DeSilva certainly seems to share Mrs Vickers’ opinions on the importance of working with the community and has frequently thanked residents for their cooperation with officers. Police Week is also intended as a thank you to Bermuda, the Service has said.

Mr DeSilva’s attitude may be partly down to Mrs Vickers’s inspiring influence.

“I knew Michael’s mother when she was carrying him,” she said. “He knew me growing up.”

Mrs Vickers continued to serve the community after she retired from the Service, and worked as the after-school superintendent at Warwick Academy for 22 years until June last year.

She still volunteers to help children get home from school and assists them with their homework.

“I guess that’s why I feel so spry,” she said. “I feel so content with my life and have joy in my heart and Jesus in my heart.”

Mrs Vickers, a member of Warwick Seventh-day Adventist Church, has been happily married to husband Darrell for 43 years and is the proud mother of three daughters — Pamela Pitt, Lisa Mattis and Delight Morris — and six grandchildren.

“I’m so happy with that man,” she said of her husband. “None of my daughters are in the police force but I have grandchildren so you never know!”

More than 400 seniors from across the Island attended yesterday’s Seniors’ Tea at Pier Six in Hamilton.

Members of the Service — such as the Commissioner, Superintendent James Howard and Inspector Scott Devine — joined dozens of other officers to dedicate their time to their special guests and show their appreciation.

“We just want to show the seniors we value their contribution to the community,” said Dwayne Caines, Bermuda Police Service’s media and public relations manager. “This event was our way to say thank you.”

Members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force Band performed, as did the Police Choir and the band Prestige, which is fronted by Town Crier Ed Christopher. MC Linda Meinzer also kept the packed — and very hot — tent happy.

Mrs Vickers will be among many retired and former police officers, Reserve officers and civilian staff who will join the current Bermuda Police Service team at today’s Parade of Staff.

For more information visit www.bps.bm.