Policing in Bermuda – like a crime comedy drama?
2024 has seen what may be a record number of murders in Bermuda and, adding to the many unsolved killings, in November 2024, a conviction has been quashed due to ‘fundamentally flawed DNA evidence‘.
Coincidentally, in 2024, a UK film crew has been on the island filming the Bermuda Police Service (BPS) and Coast Guard. It is therefore possibly surprising the BBC, which commissioned the filming, has conveyed at the BBC Media Centre:
‘Policing Paradise (working title) is like the real-life Death in Paradise‘
According to Wikipedia ‘Death in Paradise is a crime comedy drama television series ‘. IMBD adds ‘cop drama’, ‘cozy mystery’, ‘police procedural’, ‘whodunnit’, ‘crime’, ‘drama’, ‘mystery’ & ‘thriller’ plus ‘comedy’.
Possibly crime on the island has not be accurately or impartially, portrayed to the BBC? According to Bermuda’s Royal Gazette newspaper:
- The film crew (which arrived late June 2024) will mostly document “feel-good” stories.
- They are also working with the Bermuda Tourism Authority and Method Media while on the island.
- The spokesman added: “This TV programme is designed to show Bermuda, the BPS and the RBR coastguard in a good light, while encouraging UK citizens to consider visiting the island.”
- The BPS senior leadership team will review all footage before it can be included in the series, and all proposed episodes will be vetted by the BPS before release for broadcast.
How does this sit with
- The BBC’s Royal Charter and Framework Agreement
- Ofcom’s Broadcasting Code
- BBC Editorial Guidelines
- Access Agreements and Editorial Integrity
How will the islands be portrayed to the BBC’s television watching public?
Further information about the production and impartiality concerns can be read here.
* 01/11/2024 – Hundreds of DNA cases to be reviewed after exoneration in Bermuda
