38 Years in Service – PC Marina Conolly

This year, PC Marina Conolly, who is currently attached to the Process Department, celebrated 38 years in service with the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service and to the Cayman Islands. PC Conolly is currently the longest service female police officer in the RCIPS, having joined at the young age of twenty (20). PC Conolly says she was encouraged to join the service by her uncle, Rex Ford, who at the time held the rank of Inspector. It took some time, and lots of thought, but eventually she decided to apply to join the service.

Over the years, PC Conolly has worked in various departments such as the Criminal Investigations Department, Community Policing Department, Uniform Department in George Town and the Eastern Districts, and the Process and Criminal Justice Unit, where she is presently working. Her main duty in the Process and Criminal Justice Unit is the execution of warrants across Grand Cayman, however, she also assists in the processing of case files that are submitted to her department.

“PC Marina Conolly is dedicated to the work that she does,” says Chief Inspector Frank Owens, head of the Process and Criminal Justice Unit. “She is always pleasant and a joy to work with. I am proud of her accomplishment in not only reaching 38 years in service but also being the longest serving woman in the RCIPS.”

PC Conolly shares that her most memorable time in the service was working as beat officer in the Eastern Districts. “Interacting with the senior citizens in my beat area while I was working as a Community Police Officer was one of my favourite things to do in policing. I valued their knowledge and guidance. They also depended dearly on me and that gave me a sense of purpose.”

PC Conolly shared that she loves policing in the Cayman Islands and expressed how unique it is because of the dynamics and community togetherness. “I hope that young officers who have chosen policing as their career can recognize that this isn’t just a job, it’s a calling. I want them to respect all the members of the public and to adhere to the oath they’ve taken and conduct themselves with pride and integrity.”

“I would like to thank PC Marina Conolly for the years of service that she has dedicated to the RCIPS,” says Deputy Commissioner of Police Mr. Anthony Ennis. “Throughout the years she has been very community-driven and has excelled in all the areas that she has chosen in the service.”

The RCIPS would like to congratulate PC Marina Conolly on reaching 38 years in service to the Cayman Islands and thank her for her hard work and dedication throughout the years.

36 Years in Service – PC Bush

PC Hugh Bush, affectionately known to all as “King”, joined the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service in the year 1984 and is currently celebrating 36 years in service to the Cayman Islands. PC Bush was previously employed with the Public Works Department within the Cayman Islands Government, working as a Labourer. He had gained vast experience and skill in the area of construction but ultimately he decided to make a change in direction with his career choice.

“I never aspired to be a police officer,” said PC Bush, “but after starting a family, I had a need to find employment that was more stable and had a consistent income. After becoming an officer, I grew to appreciate the role and love the job.”

In 1984, when PC Bush started his own family, he decided that he would take up the offer of his friend who had been encouraging him to join the service. He applied to the RCIPS, sat and passed all the required examinations to qualify as a recruit and be trained to become a police officer. PC Bush has some fond memories about his time in training. He specifically remembers having a good time in drill class with Drill Sergeant Franklin, now retired.

After a few months of training, PC Bush went on to work at the George Town Police Station as a shift officer. He was eventually transferred to the East End district to help address issues that the service was having at the time in interacting with the East End community. PC Bush took a no nonsense approach to policing in the district and found that his methods were effective. He carried out community projects and also put his foot down on domestic violence matters, earning the respect of the community.

PC Bush stated “When you carry out your duty with integrity and without prejudice people appreciate you, and seeing that appreciation is really rewarding.”

In 1987, PC Bush was drafted to work with the Drug Squad, where he worked on matters relating to local drug rings as well as drug interdictions by sea. While there, his navigation skills and heritage were recognized and he was asked to join the Marine Unit in the year 1988. This was the start of the newly formed Joint Marine Unit and at the time he worked alongside a few other officers on the Cayman Defender.

In 1989, PC Bush attended the Canadian Coast Guard College in Nova Scotia, Canada, where he was trained and certified in Boating, Navigation Protocols and on being a boat captain. This was a 5 months long training, however, when he returned to the Cayman Islands, the Cayman Defender was damaged and the Marine Unit was suspended. He then returned to the Drug Squad, where he remained until 1994.

In 1994, he was asked to assist with sailing home a newly built marine vessel Cayman Protector, from Miami to Grand Cayman. While in Miami with his team, each person was asked to put forward a navigation plan to get the boat to Grand Cayman safely. His travel plan was different than the others, allowing for less time on the water and less fuel wasted. A member of the International Maritime Organisation saw his plan and was impressed, and his plan was selected for the journey.

In 1995, PC Bush travelled to the United Kingdom, where he attended a course called The International Small Ship Command Course. He completed this course and returned to be instated as the Captain of the Cayman Protector. He remained in the Joint Marine Unit for 5 years. During this time, he participated in a variety of marine activities and played an integral part in some of the largest drug operation in our open waters.

In the year 2000, he transferred to the Bodden town Police Station on patrol for a few years, giving himself some time to work in the community that he lives in and to spend more time with his family. In 2005 however, following hurricane Ivan, he returned to the Joint Marine Unit, where he remains today.

PC Bush was asked what his favourite part of being a police officer has been over the years. He said “Search and rescue jobs are the most rewarding jobs for me. You finish knowing that you literally saved someone’s life that day. I once assisted with a family whose boat was sinking in an area off the waterfront, and there were sharks circling the boat. The family had given up hope for help and were so grateful. its jobs like these that give me purpose.”

PC Bush shared that he is glad that he became a police officer. For the most part he enjoyed his time with the service. He received prestigious training throughout the years and a host of experience, skill and instincts. His only regret is that he did not see the importance of upward mobility earlier in his career.

The Joint Marine Unit is currently in phasing into the newly formed Cayman Islands Coast Guard and is being headed by Commander Robert Scotland. When asked about PC Bush, Commander Scotland said

“For over 36yrs PC Bush has constantly demonstrated his commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our Islands. His service to the country, especially in ensuring that its maritime safety and security is preserved is something to which all aspiring members of the Cayman Islands Coast Guard should strive to mirror.”

The RCIPS thanks PC Hugh Bush for his service and dedication to the RCIPS over the years. He has provided invaluable service to the Cayman Islands and put service before self, countless times over the years, with no hesitation.

“PC Hugh Bush dedicated his career with the police to the reduction of drugs in the Cayman society,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police Kurt Walton. “On behalf of the RCIPS Senior Command Team, I would like to thank PC Bush for the dedication, hard work, service and skill that he has displayed while carrying out his duty. Even today, he continues to work hard and provide mentorship to the younger members of the team. I know he will continue to work hard and inspire others.”

Thirty-Six Years in Service to the RCIPS – CI Patrick Beersingh

This year, Chief Inspector Patrick Beersingh is celebrating 36 years of being a police officer in the Cayman Islands. He travelled to the Cayman Islands in the year 1984 as an experienced officer from the Jamaica Constabulary Force, where he was a servicing officer for approximately 8 years. CI Beersingh said “At the time I was serving as a police officer with the Flying Squad in Jamaica. While at an event a recruiting officer with the RCIPS invited me to apply to become a police officer in the Cayman Islands. I decided to take up the offer some time later and was accepted. I have been serving in the RCIPS ever since.”

After a brief initiation training, to acclimatize him to the laws and way of life of the Caymanian society, which in turn provided him with the skills he needed to successfully police in the Cayman Islands, CI Beersingh worked at the Bodden Town Police station for two years, after which he was transferred to work within the Criminal Investigations Department as a detective. During the 8 years that CI Beersingh worked in CID, he was promoted to Detective Sergeant where he was put in charge of his first team here in the RCIPS.

In 1995, CI Beersingh was then transferred to a unit formerly known as the Special Branch, where he spent approximately 10 years, during which time he was again promoted to the rank of Inspector and was named Detective Inspector. He was subsequently transferred from Special Branch as a result of his promotion, and was put in charge of the Joint Intelligence Unit, where he spent only 1 year and was promoted once again to Acting Chief Inspector and placed in charge of the West Bay Police Station for a few months.

In 2007, CI Beersingh took charge of the Cayman Brac Police Station as the District Commander. He spent approximately 20 months in Cayman Brac, after which he returned to Grand Cayman and was promoted fully to the rank of Detective Chief Inspector of Police and put in charge of the Joint Intelligence Unit where he remained until the year 2011.

In 2011, CI Beersingh was transferred from the JIU to operate as the CI in charge of inspections and special projects. He held this position until the year 2013, where he transitioned to being second in command of the Proactive Operations. He held this post for 2 years, after which he was placed in charge of Contingency Planning. Following this task, he held the position of Chief of Staff and in June 2017 he transferred to police headquarters, where he began his new position, being in charge of the Strategic Planning Unit, where he remains today.

When asked about his fondest moments in the service, CI Beersingh stated that he has had a lot of fond memories over the years but a few stood out to him. “I liked doing protection details. I did protection for members of the Royal Family, the King of Sweden, and other heads of governments and VVIPs. I have even been in charge of protecting a witness who had her baby in my care.” said CI Beersingh.

He also stated that one of his most inspiring moments, while in the service was during the aftermath of hurricane Ivan, where as a frontline officer, there were countless occasions where policing made a difference in the lives of so many civilians.

CI Beersingh shared that the reason he became a police officer and chose to serve his community goes well beyond just a love and calling. “I come from a family with a healthy public service streak. We are known to be long-term-service-oriented people and I continued the tradition. My love for policing and service is more than on a personal level, it is on a country level.” says CI Beersingh, “I have been policing since I was 19-years-old. The good you do stay with you and empowers you, the failures stay too, but they become lessons.”

Even though CI Beersingh has acquired success in the service by moving up the ranks over the years, he has also made it a point to develop himself personally and professionally. He is currently on the last leg of completing his Doctorate in Business Administration.

“Chief Inspector Beersingh is a veteran police officer with over four decades of law enforcement experience and selfless service in his native country and his adopted homeland.” says Deputy Commissioner of Police Anthony Ennis, “He’s highly devoted and committed to achieving organisational success and professional excellence. His commitment to lifelong learning is commendable, which he has applied to the continuous professionalization and modernization of policing throughout the RCIPS.”

The RCIPS is proud of the accolades and good work that CI Patrick Beersingh has done during the time that he has been with the service. He continues to offer his hard work and knowledge, through relentless service to the RCIPS and the Cayman Islands.

32 Years in Service – PC Eugene Myles

This year, PC Eugene Myles, who is currently attached to the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service Community Policing Department, celebrated 32 years in service to the organization and the Cayman Islands. PC Myles is currently the Community Police Officer for Beat 11 in the district of West Bay. The district that he himself also hails from. Although PC Myles has been occupied with the task of working with the West Bay communities within his beat for the past five (5) years, he has also worked in a myriad of areas across all three islands within the service throughout his career as a police officer.

When asked why he decided to become a police officer all those years ago, PC Myles said, “Life should always be about being a part of something bigger than yourself. The greater good of society rests on the ability to maintain harmony, and making sure that all human beings are afforded the opportunity to not only survive, but to thrive. That is why I chose to become a Police Officer, and why I’m still a Police Officer so many years later.”

PC Myles has worked in various district patrol shifts, including Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, as well as in several specialist departments to include: the former Traffic Department, the former Marine Section, the Criminal Investigations Department, the former Drug Squad, the former Crime Reduction Unit, the former Burglary Task Force and the Joint Marine Unit.

When asked about his fondest memories in the years he has been an officer, PC Myles said “My fondest memory is being a part of a crime fighting team and being able to secure several convictions. I was drafted to this team in my earlier years on the job. Learning the ropes of the job while getting bad guys off the streets and making neighbourhoods feel safer was a very special feeling.”

As a supplement to the various departments that PC Myles has worked in, he has also received various trainings and certifications within the RCIPS, such as being certified as a Doping Control Officer from the World Anti-Doping Association. He has also represented the RCIPS overseas, including attending training in the UK, Jamaica and Barbados.

In his current post, PC Myles is happy to say that he is still fulfilling his purpose within the service. When asked about his current role, he says “Working as a CPD Officer means being a buffer between the police and the public. I enjoy the connection that it gives me to the community. Giving advice to residents, young and old, on how best to protect themselves and their property as well as encouraging them to be their brother’s keeper and live in harmony with one another is very rewarding; especially when you see your efforts come to fruition.”

“PC Eugene Myles is very hard working and resourceful,” says Inspector Courtney Myles in charge of the Community Policing Department. “He is very dedicated and humble, and the people of West Bay love him and depend on him. I am happy to have him as part of my team.”

“I can always count on PC Eugene Myles to go above and beyond whenever I need him,” says Inspector Lloyd Marriott, the area commander for the West Bay District. “He carries out his duty as a beat officer in West Bay with genuine care and integrity. Not only does that say a lot about PC Myles as an officer but also as a person.”

The RCIPS would like to congratulate PC Eugene Myles on reaching 32 years in service to the Cayman Islands and thank him for his hard work and dedication throughout the years.

“PC Myles is the consummate police officer with his extensive years in policing serving in range of operational policing both at sea and land and now as a Community Policing Officer in the district of his birth and residence.” said Deputy Commissioner of Police Anthony Ennis. “He is an example that Caymanians can effectively contribute to policing their communities while upholding the oath to serve and protect without fear or favour. I’m therefore delighted in joining the Commissioner of Police, the Senior Command and Leadership Team and fellow colleagues in congratulating him on this milestone and to thank him for his selfless service and contributions in keeping our communities safe and improving quality-of-life concerns.”