Dear Sir,I write in response to a Letter to the Editor published in The Royal Gazette on August 18, 2020.The correspondence suggested an infringement on persons’ rights as a result of stop checks of motorcycle riders by the Bermuda Police Service.To address this submission, I first add some context in that we are seeing a notable rise in motorcycle thefts across the island. Additionally, the greatest risk to serious injury — or indeed fatalities — on our roads continues to centre on motorcycle riders.The BPS do not seek to unnecessarily delay people going about their business. However, we have a duty to prevent crime as well as ensure public safety.Given the concern by persons who do have their motorcycles stolen, often their primary source of transportation, we are committed to prevent further victims and recover their stolen property.We also have a responsibility to ensure vehicles travelling on our roads are insured and those persons operating vehicles have the proper licence to do so. This also has implications for any vehicles and riders who are involved in an accident.The letter of August 18, suggests the BPS are infringing on a “constitutional freedom of movement”.I reject this submission.We are committed to act lawfully in our policing business. Under the Road Traffic Act, police officers have many laws to qualify their actions, not necessary to articulate in this letter, given they are set through legislation and not by the BPS.Being candid, it can feel on occasion that the BPS are “damned if we do” — ie, take such action to reduce crime and serious incidents on our roads; or “damned if we don’t” — ie, that we do not do enough to reduce crime and prevent road traffic collisions.Indeed, a common public comment I get as Commissioner of Police is a need to increase our roads policing presence, which I am pleased has been actioned by the BPS Roads Policing Unit’s leader, Inspector Charlene Thompson.The BPS will always act within the confines of law and we will be proactive to prevent crime and prevent injury on our roads, with a clear expectation that officers will be professional, courteous and minimise the time spent in stopping road users where necessity requires.Successful policing is about us working in partnership with the community to prevent crime, reduce injury and prevent the loss of lifeSometimes that may mean a minor inconvenience when officers are doing their duty, a situation I am sure the vast majority of us understand and support.STEPHEN CORBISHLEYCommissioner of PoliceBermuda Police Service