Police have issued a public apology after blocking parking on a portion of Church Street without advance notice.

Motorists were prevented from leaving their vehicles on the stretch between Parliament and Court streets while officers prepared for, and attended the funeral of colleague Richard Flood.

The move upset at least one businessman, who complained bitterly of the inconvenience which he said stretched over two days.

"Members of the public weren't expecting it," he said, adding that he scoured the pages of The Royal Gazette to see if application had been made to the Corporation of Hamilton for the parking ban, and found none.

"Everybody has to get permission. You have to state the intent no matter who you are Government, Police, everybody."

Loading, cycle and car bays were blocked off on both sides of the road, he said.

"[On Thursday] they blocked it off in the morning until about 1 p.m. for what was only about a half-hour rehearsal.

"[Yesterday motorists] didn't have much places to park, especially if they were going in and out."

Said a Police spokesperson: "The Bermuda Police Service apologises for any unintentional inconvenience caused by our preparations for the funeral of a colleague."