Police blogger formally dismissed

Commissioner of Police George Jackson officially "dismissed" blogger Allan Palmer from the Bermuda Police Service on Wednesday,

Mr. Palmer faced disciplinary action from the BPS early this year and was suspended from duty as a result of postings he made on his Internet blog, 'Crushing Fools'.

The former officer — originally from St. Vincent — never gave up his blog and left Bermuda yesterday, although he declined to disclose his destination.

The Police Service, however, issued a statement on Mr. Palmer claiming that allegations on his blog were of "such a malicious nature" that the public needed to be assured of their untruthfulness.

"Firstly, it should be noted that Mr. Palmer has been the subject of a number of disciplinary matters here in Bermuda, regarding his conduct while a member of the Bermuda Police Service," the statement said. "These matters are conducted under the direction of the Deputy Commissioner."

It continued: "In his blogs, Mr. Palmer has continually misrepresented information and expressed personal views that are inappropriate for a member of the Bermuda Police Service."
The statement said that while the BPS does not normally comment on personnel matters, "the very public manner in which PC Allan Palmer has conducted himself necessitates a public response."

According to the Police release: "Mr. Palmer claims that the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Dr. the Hon. Ralph Gonsalves, Bermuda's Commissioner of Police Mr. George Jackson and one of his Superintendents, Mr. Randolph Liverpool, are all conspiring against him after he wrote an article critical of Dr. Gonsalves following sexual assault allegations made against the Prime Minister.

"This could not be further from the truth. Any suggestion of collusion or conspiracy is a complete fabrication.

"The Commissioner of Police for St. Vincent and the Grenadines has written formally to the Commissioner of Police Mr. George Jackson complaining about the conduct of Mr. Palmer, these matters relate to the internal discipline and are again under the direction of the Deputy Commissioner.

"Likewise the allegations by Mr. Palmer that his phones were tapped, listening devices were placed inside his room, that he was followed 24 hours a day for 3 months and that a female 'honeytrap' was set against him are preposterous and totally false."
According to the Police statement, Mr. Palmer's public statement that he has resigned in June was also untrue.

"PC Palmer remained a member of the Bermuda Police Service and subject to service discipline," the statement said. "(Wednesday) under powers vested in him by the Police Act, the Commissioner of Police has dismissed PC Palmer from Police Service."
Attempts to contact Mr. Palmer for comment were unsuccessful.