A former Commanding Officer of the Regiment and a previous Commissioner of Police have been appointed to the Defence Board.

Governor Sir John Vereker, announced that Lt. Col. David Gibbons, who held the top post at the Regiment from 1999-2002, and Jonathan Smith, who was Commissioner of Police from 2000-2005, were selected for the Defence Board.

The Defence Board reviews the Bermuda Regiment and makes recommendations for improvements. In March the Board finalised a review which stated that the Bermuda Regiment should not change its current roles, its methods of recruiting or much else. The review stated that new equipment is needed and the Regiment should explore expanding its role in providing help to other countries dealing the national disasters.

?The skills, expertise and personal qualities of these two individuals will further strengthen the Defence Board,? the Governor said. ?Among the Board?s highest priorities will be working with the new Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. White, on the implementation of the Defence Review and of recommendations of the Fitness for Role review undertaken by the British Army last year.?