The British Government has offered to fund the deployment of specialist law enforcement officers in Bermuda for a period of up to six months, tasked with combating gun crime and gang activity, the Governor has revealed.

Andrew Murdoch, in a sit-down interview with The Royal Gazette in the wake of the fatal shooting of Janae Minors on Tuesday, would not reveal the amount that has been committed, but said it would also cover specialist surveillance equipment such as drones.

Mr Murdoch also said that Stephen Doughty, the Minister of State for Overseas Territories, will visit the island next week to discuss matters of gun and gang violence with the Bermuda Police Service.

He also said that a town hall meeting is being arranged to share information and gather feedback from the community.

The issue of specialist overseas officer deployment was raised during recent Governor’s Councils which were called in the wake of the double shooting on Court Street last month that resulted in the deaths of two men and injury to another.

Mr Murdoch said: “Among the most immediate issues discussed was assisting the BPS with its investigative capacity and capability.

“One of the issues that has the full support of government is to accelerate the recruitment of permanent BPS officers. Plans for recruitment have been brought forward to get it back up to strength, but that takes time.

“In the interim, we have identified options that are being pursued to bring in specialist officers from overseas to assist in capabilities — senior investigative officers, analysts and others.

“Also, equipment that will assist with surveillance detection are being pursued now.

“The UK has not just facilitated those issues but also made offers towards funding some of that, too.

“That is being undertaken now. I can’t say how much, but it is significant. It would be enough to fund the deployment of the capability for six months and all the equipment.

“The equipment would be specialist surveillance, at the request of the BPS, to enhance what they can do already, but also looking at new technologies such as drones.”

Darrin Simons, the Commissioner of Police, said at a press conference after the shooting of Ms Minors that about 44 officers are required for the BPS to be at full capacity.

Mr Murdoch said that Mr Doughty’s visit will include discussions on Bermuda’s crime with David Burt, the Premier, and the BPS.

“That fits into a longer-term piece, looking at the future,” Mr Murdoch explained.

“For example, is the BPS the right size? What are the security risks and problems? Is it configured properly?”

“These immediate issues don’t need to wait for that review but that will give some benchmarks to consider going forward, certainly from 2027 onwards.”

He said he was satisfied with the BPS’s Armed Response Unit at present but said it is “a key area that needs to be maintained”.

“We will be looking at whether it needs to be further enhanced in terms of size and operation.

“It is a key enabler in terms of the risk that some of these individuals pose to officers going about their business.”

Mr Murdoch spoke to the Security and Defence Review that was raised in the Throne Speech, which will look at the size, strength and capability of the police service.

The Governor said while the Emergency Powers Act 1968, which can enhance police powers in emergency situations, had been discussed, it is not necessary to engage it yet.

He said: “Nothing I have seen so far suggests that is the case. We have to make sure that we use the existing powers, which are quite comprehensive, but nothing is off the table.

“If it was found that there was a deficiency in the powers needed to get the job done, then it is certainly something we would consider but it is not being actively looked at the moment.”

He did say that the roles of special constables and reserve police officers were being looked at, while the Crime Stoppers reward for information on individuals that leads to the recovery of a firearm had been increased to $50,000.

He also said an amnesty was planned to give those in possession of guns or knives the opportunity to hand them in.

Mr Murdoch said that during the Governor’s Council, the Department of Public Prosecutions asked for the consideration of options for potential legislative changes, whether directly relevant to gang activity issues or assistance in terms of prosecutions.

Mr Murdoch put forward measures designed to protect witnesses as well as looking at those who benefit from the proceeds of gang and other criminal activity.

Mr Murdoch said: “It is not unusual on a small island for there to be some reticence to come forward and give evidence in court.

“There are measures that can be taken to protect witnesses in court; there are examples across the Caribbean.

“We also discussed not just addressing those who are involved directly, but also more broadly looking at legislation to look at those who benefit from the activities of gang activity — such as those who may be involved in manipulating minors, inciting the activity or benefiting from it, particularly financially.

“Pressure can be brought on those individuals as well. Following the money can be quite effective.”

Mr Murdoch also acknowledged the importance of ramping up customs and border protection security.

He said that Bermuda cannot police its way out of the situation and that there needs to be a holistic approach.

An important part of that, he said, was the sharing of evidence and information with the police.

He said: “I would encourage those in the community that they are an absolutely integral part of the response.

“There may be an historic reluctance to share information with the police or other authorities on what they know.

“Those who have information and are not sharing it need to think very carefully about who they are protecting and why because it is not serving their community.”

Details of the town hall meeting, which will include Mr Murdoch, Michael Weeks, the Minister of National Security and the Commissioner of Police are expected to be publicised soon.

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