Police budget to be slashed

A partial overtime ban has been in force since October and the majority of overseas trips and training courses have been cancelled. But the police top brass is still struggling to meet Government’s target figure and are hoping a compromise can be agreed before Friday’s national Budget.

As of last week, they were bracing themselves for an expected cut of around $16 million.

And in an e-mail to staff entitled ‘austerity measures’, Commissioner Michael DeSilva spelled out the need to cut costs. He reminded officers to re-use paper and turn off lights and computers at the end of the day in a bid to save money.

It is understood that the four used vehicles — two Audis and two BMWs — bought from West Midlands police for a total of $31,000 this month, will be the only upgrades to the police’s vehicle fleet this year. Limited funds will be available for repair and maintenance.

Officers — who are traditionally given new uniforms each year — have been told they can only replace clothing that is threadbare. Even the cost of coffee and tea has come under scrutiny.

The service has been preparing for the new economic reality since late last year.

Since October overtime has had to be approved by someone of Superintendent rank or higher.

Although, the ‘zero overtime’ directive issued to department heads has proved difficult to enforce, substantial cuts have been made.

One officer told us he clocked just a few hours last month compared with an average of around 40 hours a month last year.

“The goal is zero overtime, that is what we have been told. No courses unless it is something essential, no conferences, no jaunts and everyone travels economy class – even the top boys.”

Sources said all the fat had been trimmed from the budget and salaries were the only thing left to cut.

Salaries

In last year’s budget $65.7million was allocated to the police service. Around 70 per cent goes on salaries. But cutting jobs is not seen as a workable option and senior officers are said to be unclear on how they are supposed to make the additional cutbacks.

Officers are also concerned that the additional cost of implementing the next phase of PACE legislation has not been taken into consideration.

The move represents a change of direction for a Government that had indicated only last year that it was prepared to throw significant financial resources at the escalating crime problem.

But the financial crisis appears to have trumped the gang crisis and no department will be spared in an ‘austerity budget’ that is likely see Premier Paula Cox keep her promise to make $150 million in cuts.

It is understood that the Social Services budget will also be slashed by $12 million and every department has been asked to make significant sacrifices.

The Corrections Department is expected to get a $5 million cut. The Education Ministry is likely to be least affected by the measures with sources predicting a cut of around $4 million.

Premier Paula Cox has refused to comment on the Budget ahead of Friday’s statement. Police Commissioner Michael DeSilva was unwilling to comment yesterday.

Asked how the cuts might affect the gang situation, Pastor Leroy Bean of anti-gang group CARTEL said it was admirable that Premier Cox was trying to make cutbacks.

But he warned that cuts in the wrong places could be costly in other ways.

“It is honourable that the Premier is trying to make these cuts. I admire that.

“The only reservation I have is that vital services may suffer because of it. Some cuts are needed but is this going to erode our social infrastructure?”

As police brace themselves for massive cuts in their budget, security provided for the island’s leaders remains under review.

The extent of policing around the Governor and the Premier is weighed up against the need for officers on the streets.

Officials will not talk about specifics, but the Bermuda Sun understands security arrangements for the Premier have changed since Paula Cox succeeded Dr. Ewart Brown. Dr. Brown installed a security fence around his property and often had plain-clothed security guards with him in public, drawing criticism about costs.

When asked yesterday about security reportedly being scaled down, Premier Cox said it was unwise “from a security perspective” to comment.

Arrangements for the Premier, a well-placed source told us, are based on threat assessments made by the police and the Premier does not dictate the level of security.

Advice of police

 “When it comes to security at Government House,” Governor Sir Richard Gozney said, “I am guided by the advice of the police themselves.

“They have recently reviewed security at Government House, in the light of the size and shape of the property.

“A police presence at Government House will be maintained. The size and shape of that presence will remain under review.”

Police Commissioner Micheal DeSilva told us: “We are always examining the most effective ways to deploy our resources generally.

“We aim to have a measured response to placing our officers where they are needed the most at any particular time.

“We certainly take advantage where we can to release officers from static duties to perform operational patrols, provided there is no risk to public safety in doing so.”

The security of dignitaries has long been a talking point in Bermuda. Former Premier Sir John Swan was commended for walking around town without any security while Dr. Ewart Brown was rarely seen in public without security figures around him.