A police officer working for the Bermuda Police Service has been honoured in his home country of Barbados for his outstanding community service.

Hashim Estwick was granted the Pride of Barbados Diaspora Award for the long hours of volunteer work he contributed to the Parish of St Philip.

Mr Estwick advocated for several forms of infrastructural change, including organising a petition signed by more than 600 residents to repair Cottage Vale Road in the parish.

He has organised and promoted several other petitions, particularly for fair parliamentary representation.

Mr Estwick was an active member of the Cottage Vale community, having organised several community events and celebrations, including clean-ups for seniors’ properties.

He ran a fundraising campaign to donate 22 tablets and four laptops to St Philip Primary School to help children learn remotely during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mr Estwick held a series of public meetings at St Philip Church’s School Hall covering sustainable energy, disaster preparedness, healthy living and financial planning after Covid-19.

He invited the Red Cross to one of these meetings, with the organisation offering training sessions on first aid, public health and disaster resilience.

To help his community bounce back from the pandemic, Mr Estwick created a skills directory for people to contact area labourers.

He also helped to organise several community events and co-ordinated services for seniors ranging from car removal projects to birthday celebrations.

Mr Estwick has led multiple demonstrations and advocacy movements, particularly on public safety and infrastructural problems, as well as around the environment.

He connected many of his campaigns to broader movements centred on racial and social justice.

Mr Estwick has highlighted community issues to government ministers and engaged the local press, including through editorials.

He created the Cottage Vale Community Group, which had more than 50 active participants.

Mr Estwick serves as the president of Citizens Uprooting Racism in Bermuda and is chairman of its Reparations Committee.

Through his placement at Curb, Mr Estwick hosts truth and reconciliation community conversations.

Darrin Simons, the Commissioner of Police, said: “While these initiatives were carried out in Barbados, Mr Estwick has demonstrated qualities that resonate deeply with the values of the Bermuda Police Service — giving back to the community and leadership.

“He has done exceptionally well, providing a clear example of how determination and service can transform lives and inspire others.”