Page 21 - link magazine

NEWS & VIEWS 21
Letter from Bermuda Richard Pearce, one time Toothill beat bobby and more recently leader with the
Toothill Scout troop, gives his impressions of the ideal life as a policeman in Bermuda
No drinking in public (plenty of
In January 1988, I, as a very fresh The policeforce is self contained, I 4 If you walkinto a storeand don't
faced policeman was allocated the it has policemen as carpenters, con- bars available); say hello or good morning to the
No topless bathing or walking
Toothill footbeat. PC Tom Skillen trol room operators, mechanics, en- 2 shop assistant, she will ignore you
was my guide. quiry office staff and secretaries. The around without tee shirts or shorts - and probably not serve you at all.
Tom knew most of the area's resi- word 'civiianisation' has not en- a top English banker was asked to Finally, although it's the begin-
dents and many of the secrets. tered into Bermuda, subsequently leave the island for skinny dipping; ning of November,I am lying by the
When first allocated the Toothill the force is 550 strong with a popu- 3 National speed limit 25mph. edge of the sea (in my back garden)
beat, I was told it was a cold place lation of only 55,000 to look after. There's a ban of 1 year for anybody catching the last of the summer sun
and a difficult area to work. Off duty Bermuda offers a great caught travelling above 45mph; - temperature 80.
I tried to get as involved with the deal, with numerous small sandy
community as much as possible, vis-
iting the schools, local councillors,
hanging around the Community
Centre and helping the local Scout NATIONAL VACUUM CLEANER SERVICES
group. NvCS
After an enjoyable 18 months, I
spent a short time on a pedal bike at YOUR LOCAL, FRIENDLY SPECIALIST for service repair
Shaw andRamleaze, then a response to most makes of VACUUM CLEANERS AND POLISHERS
card river forPinehurst and a yearat
Wootton Bassett. Sales of machines, dustbags, belts, etc.
In July 1991, I was offered a post Direct Phone to Workshop 9am - 5pm 0285 - 712991
with the Bermuda Police Force. ESTIMATES
Bermuda is a set of islands in the F miu
Atlantic Ocean. New York is about COLLECTION & DELIVERY
750 miles north west, Swindon is For a Fully Guaranteed, Expert
about 3,000 miles to the north east, and Speedy Repair Service
and the Carribean is about 1,000
miles to the south. Swindon 881007
Bermuda, which is protected by a
coral reef is made up of 200 islands,
the largest 10 islands being joined
by a series of bridges. The main
island measures 21 miles and at its CARTER, GOVIER, READ
maximum width is 1% wide. Richard Pearce, on duty in Bermuda
It is a very friendly place with beaches and clear blue sea. Visibil- SOLICITORS
very little crime. Most of the crime ity is normally 30 feet down so
is against tourists, bag snatches and snorkeling and sub aqua is a must.
occasional breaks into hotel moms. Sailing, waterskiing and deep sea Contact us for all your legal needs
The residents of the islands do not fishing are major time consumers.
have to lock cars and houses when Bermuda offers seven full size golf including
they leave them. courses,and the scenery going from
Neighbours know and talk to one hole to hole is fantastic. On some of house sales & purchases,
anotherand watch out foreach other. the holes if you over hit a ball it will matrimonial matters and criminal law
The police do not have to help setup end up in the Ocean.
Neighbourhood Watch Schemes as Before rushing down to your
each area already sorts itself out. travel agent, Bermuda has a very 34 - 35 Commercial Road, Swindon
Drugs and motorcycle accidents high cost of living and prices can be
takeup mostof a policeman's work- considered high. Also there are some Tel: 617617
ing day. little laws that are interesting.

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