As had been the case in England, these positions were filled by men appointed for twelve months, unpaid service, until pay was introduced in the 19th century.

The difficulty recruiting constables locally had led to increased intake of constables from the British Isles, such as William Joseph Cormack (who came to the force from the Staffordshire County Police in 1955, and would go on to become Chief of the Metropolitan Toronto Police from 1989 to 1995),[1] which resulted in criticism of the racial make up of the force not reflecting that of the wider community.

The reasons for failing to obtain the necessary local recruits, black or white, was attributed to a number of factors, including the small population, but primarily the reluctance among those islanders who were likely to meet the physical and educational requirements to choose a career in public service, especially the police.

Many local Bermudians are used to holding down two jobs in order to earn extra money, a practice not permitted in the Police Force.

As the "Bermuda Report for the year 1971" continued: More recently police have been recruited from the Caribbean with a view to correcting the racial imbalance in the force.

In the 1960s the Bermuda Police performed a new role: internal security, dealing with riots resulting from the struggle for racial equality.

This culminated in 1977 with riots following the hanging of two members of the Black Beret Cadre convicted of five murders, including those of Governor Richard Sharples, his aide-de-camp Captain Hugh Sayers, and the Commissioner of Police George Duckett.

[8][9] That part of the former US Naval Air Station Bermuda which was not required for the operation of the airfield was fenced off and patrolled, until final decisions on the disposal of the land were made, by the Baselands Security.

Premier Ewart Brown called for "sustained, regular policing" and increased foot patrols "in recognised trouble spots".

[19][20][21] Police Commissioner Jackson said on 29 May that the Service faced "an unprecedented level of criminality" from a hardcore group of 50–100 violent individuals in four or five gangs.

[22] The Royal Bermuda Regiment Coast Guard takes control of any Maritime Law Enforcement and Search & Rescue duties.

The first large boat operated by the unit, the Heron, lacked the speed required to quickly respond to incidents beyond the reefline.

The unit had subsequently also utilised sport fishing boats, including the Heron II,[25] but took delivery in 2006 of a purpose-built patrol vessel, the Guardian, built by Australian shipyard Austal.

[42] The insignia is similar to some UK Special Constabulary rank structures, in that it does not use the 'pips and crowns' system, but rather bars and laurel wreaths.

[44] Firearms available include Glock 17 9mm handguns, Heckler & Koch MP5 9mm submachine guns, M16 and M4 assault rifles, and Remington 12 gauge shotguns.