The New York City Police Department yesterday raised a question mark over an expected deployment of specialist Gang Unit experts to the Island.

As reported yesterday, it has emerged that New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg contacted the Premier to offer assistance from the NYPD to combat the Island's escalating gang problem.

But last night that appeared to be contradicted by Mayor Bloomberg's office which said that no offer was made or agreed to send NYPD personnel to Bermuda.

On Tuesday, Public Safety Minister David Burch told a press conference that officers from the NYPD Gang Unit were to help in the investigations into five gun murders.

The announcement came in the wake of four murders in a month which culminated in the shooting of 34-year-old Perry Puckerin who was shot at the Hamilton Parish Workman's Club on Sunday.

It is believe all four killings are gang related.

On Tuesday, Senator Burch said: "Government has accepted the offer from the Mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg, of assistance of officers from the NYC Police Department Gang Unit."

The Minister explained: "He (Mayor Bloomberg) rang the Premier, as a resident of Bermuda and someone who has a keen interest in the safety of Bermuda.

"He is a friend and said, 'We probably can help. Get your Commissioner to talk to the head of our Gang Unit'. They talked before Christmas."

Sen. Burch continued: "In the case of the New York officers they're most likely going to be assisting Police in the investigation of crimes."

He added this would include "forensics" and would focus on five fatal shootings in the past year, which detectives believe are gang-related.

The PLP website also stated that: "Minister Burch reports that the PLP Government is taking action on a number of fronts. On policing, Burch noted that the American FBI is on the Island training the Bermuda Police Service (BPS), that experts from the New York Police Department (NYPD) Gang Unit will soon be on Island providing assistance and that a contingent of officers from the UK will also be hitting the streets."

Police Commissioner Michael DeSilva said on Tuesday: "Following the Minister's press conference today, I am pleased to confirm that Government House and Government have endorsed my request and we now have a green light to explore several options that include:

Seminars with FBI gang agents to provide learning opportunities for our frontline staff from well-experienced field agents;

Secondments of gang investigators, intelligence analysts and other support staff from US and UK forces including the New York Police Department <\!m> who are experiencing similar problems to Bermuda and can provide additional experience from lessons learned."

But Mr. DeSilva added: "These plans are not yet confirmed so it would be premature to provide any more detail."

Yesterday however, the New York Post and Village Voice both ran articles in which the NYPD stated "no offer was made or agreed upon" to send officers here.

When The Royal Gazette contacted Mayor Bloomberg's office to clarify what arrangement had been made, we received the following statement from NYPD spokesman Paul Browne, which appears to contradict Sen. Burch's comments:

"Deputy Chief Robert Boyce of the NYPD Gang Division consulted by telephone with Bermuda Police officials last month regarding strategies to suppress gang violence. No offer was made or agreed upon to send NYPD personnel to Bermuda, however. Chief Boyce was informed by Bermuda authorities that an FBI team would be travelling there to assist them.

"The NYPD periodically sends personnel to foreign countries to assist on issues ranging from hostage negotiation to organised crime and internal affairs, with the costs assumed by the US State Department or the host nation."

Last night Sen. Burch said: "I refer all media to what I said in my statement yesterday <\!m> which stated that we have accepted the offer of Mayor Michael Bloomberg."

He also referred the media to Mr. DeSilva's statement.