Senators have approved legislation that would strengthen the island’s police co-operation and financial regulations.

The Police (International Co-operation) Amendment Act, the Proceeds of Crime Amendment Act, the Financial Intelligence Agency Amendment Act and the Proceeds of Crime (Miscellaneous) Act passed without objection in the Upper House yesterday.

Ryan Robinson Perinchief, the Minister of National Security, presented the police co-operation legislation, setting a framework for the Bermuda Police Service to partner with international agencies.

He told the Upper House: “Crime does not stop at national borders — modern policing increasingly requires officers to work with their counterparts in other jurisdictions to share information and intelligence, support investigations and respond to criminal activity that may extend beyond their own borders.”

The Bill allows the Commissioner of Police to make formal agreements and informal arrangements, as well as share information, with overseas agencies.

Victoria Cunningham, Opposition leader in the Senate, questioned the level of oversight for informal arrangements.

Mr Perinchief responded that the BPS will share information only after a risk assessment and determining if doing so would be in the public interest.

Kim Wilkerson, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, presented the Proceeds of Crime Amendment Act, which establishes guidelines for managing and disposing of criminal proceedings and compensating victims.

Ms Cunningham asked if Bermuda was equipped to investigate suspected criminal proceeds taken through digital assets.

Ms Wilkerson said such assets would be managed through a regulated provider.

She also presented the Financial Intelligence Agency Amendment Act, which expands the types of crimes the agency can investigate, as well as the Proceeds of Crime Miscellaneous Act.

The latter Bill allows investigators to investigate professional services firms that may not be registered on the island, and changes the required qualifications for members of the Barristers and Accountants AML/ATF Board.