A former senior Police officer has defended a decision to provide Premier Ewart Brown with a Police bodyguard, claiming that most heads of state have one.

Retired Superintendent Larry Smith, who headed the Narcotics Department from 1999 until 2006, spoke out after readers of this newspaper gave negative feedback on the news.

Dr. Brown has said he agreed to the offer from the Police after news last week that a man who approached him while allegedly in possession of a concealed blade had a past conviction for causing bodily harm.

The incident, the Premier said, made him “a little more concerned” about his personal safety and this, coupled with an incident at Cabinet in January when Police dealt with a drunk demanding to see him, led to a change in his security arrangements.

He had previously had a bodyguard at large gatherings.

Since the news came out, the Police, the Premier’s official spokesman and the Minister for Public Safety have all remained tight-lipped about how much the move is costing, what factors were weighed up when Police made the recommendation, and whether the guard is armed. Government House has also refused to comment on security provisions for Governor Sir John Vereker.

Readers questioned yesterday why additional security for Dr. Brown is needed, whether it will strain Police resources, and expressed concern over the image of the Island projected by the move.

In an email sent yesterday responding to this, Mr. Smith said he was “absolutely perturbed over the constant naivety and downright ignorance of the comments”.

Mr. Smith, who served in Bermuda Police for more than 30 years before retiring to Florida last year, continued: “Presidents and heads of state in just about every country in the universe have an escort — most armed.

“Whenever a head of state visits Bermuda, do not think for one minute that they are not escorted. I’ll refrain from additional information due to national security.

“We have got to stop being so reactive and emotional to situations and become more proactive.

“Had the Government of Bermuda and Government House been more proactive over the years, the Governor (Sir Richard Shaples) and his ADC (Captain Hugh Sayers) may not have been killed. Had (Police Commissioner) George Duckett been more proactive and had greater security, maybe just maybe, he would be living today.”

Mr. Smith said when he was in the Police service and attended conferences for drug commanders throughout the Caribbean he was always asked by his Caribbean colleagues ‘why are you not armed, you’re the head of Narcotics?’

And he added: “Wake up Bermuda — the world is changing and you need to get on board.”

His comments were echoed by a reader who described herself as a spouse of a Bermudian, and gave her name only as Rommel.

“I am totally amazed that some people would make a big deal out of the head of state having a bodyguard,” she said. “I disagree with the idea that having a Police escort means that the Premier is scared of the Bermudian people.

“Bermudians voted him in, and should want to protect their head of state. Bermuda now is clearly not the Bermuda of a few years ago, and to imply that one’s personal security methods should be as it was then is na|0xef|ve.”

The Opposition Leader, who is also Shadow Minister for Public Safety, agrees the Premier’s security should be treated as a very serious matter, but wonders if recent developments have been blown out of proportion.

Michael Dunkley was at the airport for the re-naming ceremony on the day a man approached Dr. Brown. It was later revealed that the man had a box cutter. He was ushered away, but not arrested.

Mr. Dunkley said of that incident: “He went up there and it was like he was going to shake his hand. I could look right into the Premier’s eyes and there wasn’t any look of concern, just a little smile. And then somebody else came up and he was turned away.

“What I found strange about it is when I left, the guy was still on the property. I thought that was very strange so I talked to him and he mumbled on about some stuff. Then the next day I heard he apparently had box cutters. And I said, ‘This is strange. If the guy had box cutters and he wasn’t detained when the Premier’s on the premises, it doesn’t add up’.”

Yesterday other readers also chimed in with their concerns, with Alan Gamble referring to additional news that Dr. Brown has asked Government planners to consider a security fence for his private residence in Smith’s.

“If the Premier wants additional security he should pay for it,” he said, adding that it would be “outrageous” if the new fence was funded by the taxpayer.

“If he is that concerned about it, he should move to the official residence (Clifton) which has already had taxpayer’s money spent on it for that purpose,” said Mr. Gamble.]

And Donna Barnes said: “Dr. Brown should also have to pay for his personal security guard himself. He is no more special or important than anyone else and he is sending the wrong message to everyone. What is this going to show the tourists that come to the Island? We are not a safe Island?”