THURSDAY, OCT 1: Premier Dr. Ewart Brown told the U.K. Government that Bermuda should have operational control over policing.
He met with the new Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Chris Bryant, with responsibility for the Overseas Territories at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office today.
Mr. Bryant welcomed the Premier for their first meeting and both men discussed a wide range of issues including Bermuda's economic situation and the effects of the global economy on the Island.
Figuring prominently in the meeting was a discussion on crime and security. The Premier said: "I took the opportunity to emphasise the concerns of the Government and people of Bermuda about the need to fully engage in the fight against crime and to stamp out the trend toward gun violence. The new Minister was receptive to our position."
The Premier also advised the Under-Secretary that his Cabinet and Government are confirmed in their strong belief that the Bermuda Government should have operational responsibility for policing, in addition to budgeting responsibility..
Minister Bryant took the opportunity to present the Premier with revised terms of the General Entrustment. Commenting on the document, the Premier said, "I welcome this strengthened and clearer statement of the relationship and mutual responsibilities of the Governments of Bermuda and the UK. It is a framework within which we shall have little problem working." The Minister advised the Premier that the formal process involved forwarding the document to the Governor for a presentation to the Premier at one of their regular meetings.
Premier Brown concluded that "this was a positive meeting and I look forward to the Overseas Territories Consultative Council meeting in December at which we'll have another opportunity to meet."
The Premier returns to Bermuda on Friday after a week of meetings with senior UK officials on both sides of the aisle.
Posted: Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Comment by:
Peter
This is poor reporting. Does anyone really know what "operational" control is? Would the Bermuda Sun please explain this?
Posted: Monday, October 05, 2009
Comment by:
Randy Pitcher
Ed, apprecaite your feedback. Question? Do you live in Bermuda? If not where? Have you been paying attention past couple years? This is not a joke! Where there is smoke...
Posted: Monday, October 05, 2009
Comment by:
EJ
Does your island have a Police Chief ? He or she would be in charge no matter what the political affiliation. If that is not the case, then the PLP is very slow in the removal process. It should not take a decade to remove card carrying non-PLP employees in the government service.
Not too late to start I may add!!!
Now that you have read it and know how ridiculous my words are, so are those by Randy and Roger. We can all fuel a fire but it is a wise one who first ask for what shall we use the fire?
What do you want, construction or destruction Bermuda?
Posted: Sunday, October 04, 2009
Comment by:
Randy Pitcher
Be very afraid! PLP controls police?! Everytime there is a sound outside your door, be very afraid, it may be the PLP police - hope it is just a thief.
Posted: Sunday, October 04, 2009
Comment by:
robert
I think its a good idea for Premier Brown to have control of the Police,it will also be vital to assume control of the Regiment as well.once established i think Col.E.Brown should arrange a trip to Cuba to meet with Castro so he can see how its done first hand.
Posted: Friday, October 02, 2009
Comment by:
Logic76
Can someone please tell me this is a joke? This goes through and we'll have the PLP government under Dr. Brown controlling who investigates what!
