All of Bermuda’s uniformed services are currently understaffed, MPs were told today.

Present recruitment and training initiatives do not appear likely to completely fill the gaps, according to a statement from Michael Weeks, the Minister of National Security.

Questioned by Opposition MPs Robin Tucker and Robert King, Mr Weeks said operational needs were being met, added but that there was “a lot of overtime that takes place”.

He told Ms Tucker, the Shadow Minister for Youth, Social Development and Seniors, that “attraction is not what the issue is — it’s trying to hire qualified persons”.

Mr King, the Shadow Minister of National Security, posed questions on the impact of police numbers in drawing down the island’s high rate of road traffic accidents.

Mr Weeks responded: “I’m certain that the Commissioner of Police will place his officers where he feels that the need is necessary.”

Mr Weeks, who has responsibility for the Bermuda Police Service, Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service, Royal Bermuda Regiment, Customs and the Department of National Drug Control, said the services were short 123 full time employees.

However he said all had recruitment campaigns planned or under way which had drawn “strong interest from members of the public”.

The staffing shortages were criticised by the Opposition One Bermuda Alliance, which said they revealed a “troubling picture” which showed the Government lacked a strategy for keeping Bermudians safe.

Mr Weeks told the House of Assembly that the Bermuda Police Service would go ahead next month with another recruit foundation course, while developing “a pool of suitably qualified overseas applicants who may be called upon, where necessary, to supplement local recruitment”.

Police, squeezed for numbers, have 17 applicants on the books from recruitment drive 86, undergoing final medical assessments with reports due this month. Training is planned to commence this May. Recruitment drive 87, meanwhile, has 27 applicants under review.

The overall service faces 47 vacancies.

Darrin Simons, the Commissioner of Police, said last August that 420 officers would make for the ideal complement. It followed his remarks in 2024 that the BPS were down to their lowest numbers since 1979.

Customs is contending with 52 vacancies, MPs heard, with 14 of the positions funded. The department is looking to recruit 20 officers from a pool of 238 candidates to start training on June 1. Thirteen officers recently graduated their passing-out ceremony, and another recruitment campaign will be launched in August.

The BFRS has 11 positions vacant — nine firefighters, and two lieutenants. Out of ten applicants interviewed, nine have been chosen to start training on April 1.

The Royal Bermuda Regiment is looking to fill 44 part-time roles and two full-time positions. Its latest training camp had 22 soldiers finish in February, and there are 25 potential candidates in the active recruits pool. The RBR’s next push for recruitment is set for July 5.

The Department of National Drug Control has been approved for the recruitment of an overseas addiction counsellor, while three addiction treatment support staff start work on April 1. There are 11 vacancies across a variety of clinical and treatment roles.

Mr King subsequently said: “The Minister of National Security today presented what was intended to be an update on recruitment across Bermuda’s uniformed services.

“Unfortunately, what the statement actually revealed is a troubling picture of serious staffing shortages across the very services responsible for keeping Bermudians safe.”

He added: “These vacancies represent fewer police officers on the streets, fewer customs officers protecting our borders, fewer firefighters available to respond to emergencies and fewer addiction professionals available to support those battling substance abuse.

“There are operational risks being created by running essential services so far below their full strength. Public safety requires consistent workforce planning, proper funding of essential posts and a clear strategy to recruit and retain Bermudians in these critical roles.”

Mr King called on the Government to explain why “such significant shortages exist” and what was being done to “restore the staffing levels required to properly protect our community”.

“As we will continue to have retirements and the staffing levels are already below what is necessary there needs to be a strategy shared with the public,” he said.

• To see the minister’s statement in full, see Related Media

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