POLICE Commissioner Jonathan Smith yesterday vowed that his officers would stand firm in the face of violence and appealed to the public for help in tracking down and prosecuting violent offenders.

His comments follow some disorder over the holiday weekend and an incident on Wednesday night involving a security guard at a St. George's bar being attacked by three men.

"The reality is that our officers are being exposed to violence or the threat of violence at incidents we attend," Commissioner Smith said.

"Recently even off-duty officers were assaulted in the line of duty as they intervened to restore order.

"Our officers continue to display courage and I commend their efforts at confronting violent offenders and making arrests in circumstances where order has broken down.

"We will not back down. We will investigate offences involving violence and where we have evidence we will present case files to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

"I am asking the public to continue to support the Service by providing evidence and information in connection with violent offences. The support from the public is absolutely vital in tackling violence in our community."

Police reported yesterday that a security guard had turned away a man from the door of the White Horse Tavern in St. George's on Wednesday night because his attire was inappropriate.

After he was refused entry, the man attacked the security guard and two other men joined in the assault. When two other security guards arrived to help out their colleague, the attackers fled on foot before the police arrived at around 10.10 p.m.

The three suspects are described as black males, who wore white T-shirts and dark-coloured jeans. The victim suffered abrasions to the left eye, forehead and shoulder.

Commissioner Smith gave his backing to bars that employed security guards.

"The association between the abuse of alcohol and / or drugs and recent outbreaks of public disorder is extremely strong," he said.

"The Bermuda Police Service stands firmly with the licensed premises that are employing security personnel to enhance the safety and security at their business premises.

"It is unacceptable that security personnel are being assaulted by unruly and disruptive patrons or would-be patrons.

"We will investigate these incidents thoroughly with a view to having offenders placed before the courts where appropriate."