Commissioner of Police Stephen Corbishley has resigned, the Governor said yesterday.

Darrin Simons, the deputy commissioner, will act in the top job until a new appointment is made.

The RoyalGazettereported this week that Mr Corbishley was overseas for personal reasons.

He declined to comment when contacted this morning.

Mr Corbishley said on his Facebook page he was a “former Commissioner” of the Bermuda Police Service.

He added: “Writer and academic lecturer in law.”

It is understood Mr Corbishley quit to spend more time with his family and seek new career opportunities.

In focus: Commissioner wanted to focus on communities

Mr Corbishley said in an e-mail to police service colleagues: “The past three plus years in the BPS have been fantastic for me.

“Collectively we have achieved many things, been through many challenges and above all served the public, protected victims, and kept Bermuda safe.

“Whilst you may not be aware, the BPS is looked at as a centre of excellence across the overseas territory police services.

“We have achieved that together, and I am very proud to have been part of that journey.”

Rena Lalgie, the Governor, said: “Commissioner of Police Stephen Corbishley has tendered his resignation, which I have accepted with immediate effect.

“I wish Mr Corbishley well in his future career.

“An open, merit-based and fair process will commence as soon as possible to recruit the next Commissioner of Police.

“In the intervening period, I will be appointing Darrin Simons as Acting Commissioner and Superintendent Na’imah Astwood as Acting Deputy Commissioner.”

She added: “I have had the pleasure of meeting men and women within the Bermuda Police Service who are dedicated professionals, committed to meeting the highest policing standards and are passionate about serving the people of Bermuda.

“I am extremely grateful to those who step forward to do what is, at the best of times, a difficult job and is even more so in this unprecedented period.”

Renee Ming, the national security minister, also thanked Mr Corbishley for his service to the country.

She added: “As the Minister of National Security, I’ve worked alongside Mr Corbishley during some very critical moments for our country, including serious crime incidents and, of course. the current pandemic.

“And as the co-chair of the Emergency Measures Organisation, we’ve worked to ensure an effective, coordinated hurricane and disaster response so that our community could feel safe and secure during times of uncertainty.”

Ms Ming said: “On behalf of the Ministry of National Security, I want to take this opportunity to wish Mr. Corbishley the best in his future endeavours.”

A police spokesman said: “The Bermuda Police Service wishes to thank former commissioner Corbishley for his service.

“We also assure the public that the BPS continues to achieve its mission of making Bermuda safer, under the guidance of acting commissioner Darrin Simons and his leadership team.”

He added: “There will not be any disruption in service to the community while we await the appoint of the next commissioner."

The job will be advertised in Bermuda and overseas.

Mr Corbishley was appointed by John Rankin, then the Governor, to lead the BPS in May 2018.

It was said in a press release at the time that there were six candidates, three of them Bermudian.

Mr Corbishley served with Kent Police in the UK before he took up the post in Bermuda for a five-year term in August 2018.

The press release added: “Mr Corbishley is widely respected for his strong partnership approach to policing and his commitment to developing capability in the teams he leads.

“One of his priorities in taking up this post will be to establish a programme for developing talented Bermuda police officers with leadership potential to prepare them for senior command positions within the next five years.”

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