New Police Commissioner Michael DeSilva was sworn in this afternoon —18 hours after three back-to-back shootings hit the Island.

Mr. DeSilva spoke of the “reckless” violence at the Change of Command Ceremony where he took over control of the Bermuda Police Service from George Jackson.

He said: “Policing is serious business. And Bermuda is experiencing serious problems. This ceremony today is overshadowed by the tragic events of last night that have flooded over into this morning. All of which are plastered against the backdrop of recent violence still reverberating within the community.”

He continued: “Violent, reckless and senseless acts being committed by so few are having sweeping and devastating effects on so many. The Police service is tackling this challenge head on.

“In October we restructured the organisation to place 85 percent of our staff directly in the fight against crime. On patrol, in Criminal Investigation Unit... drug unit and serious crime unit.

“This morning I gave an order that every last available man and woman in our service will based on operational patrols throughout the New Year, they will empty the offices at Prospect to give some added reassurance to the public and some much needed relief to our front line officers.

“We will take back our community one house at a time, one street at a time, one neighbourhood at a time. We will take the guns off the streets and we will restore peace.

“And we are not alone in this fight the Bermuda community is speaking out against gang violence and carnage that is threatening our own and the collective voice is loud and clear.

“Bermuda is saying we have had enough and we are committed to a change.”