The Minister of National Security, the Hon. Michael Weeks, JP, MP, has noted recent commentary in the media regarding the operations of the Customs Department, including an opinion piece published in today’s Royal Gazette by Opposition Leader Robert King, and considers it important to address the matter directly and on the basis of facts rather than political rhetoric.
Minister Weeks said national security is too important to be reduced to selective commentary that does not reflect the full operational picture, adding that when issues are raised publicly, Bermudians deserve clarity, context, and accuracy.
The Minister emphasised that the Government takes the welfare of Customs officers and the operational effectiveness of the Department seriously and remains focused on ensuring Bermuda’s borders are protected through appropriate staffing, training, and modern enforcement tools.
The established operational strength required for the Customs Department to function at full capacity is 228 officers. At present, the Department has 171 officers in post, and recruitment is now underway to increase those numbers.
Sustained recruitment and workforce planning have been ongoing, rather than being addressed only when the issue becomes politically expedient.
Minister Weeks notes that Customs is currently in a seasonally slower operational period, during which trainee officers are undertaking classroom-based training for a maximum period of six weeks.
Currently at the L.F. Wade International Airport, fewer than 300 passengers are arriving on most days of the week, as compared to 1,800 passengers during the busier months in the summer.
During this time, trained officers continue to fully staff operational posts, ensuring continuity of service to the travelling public and commercial importers.
This training cycle is a normal and planned part of workforce development and does not indicate a decline in morale or service delivery. Peak operational demand traditionally begins in mid-April through May, and preparations for that busier period are already well underway.
Regarding sick leave, officers across the service may be absent at various times due to documented medical conditions that, based on medical advice, are not related to workplace fatigue or excessive work schedules. The Ministry is not aware of any organised sick-outs or work stoppages within the Customs Department.
As is widely known, the Island has experienced a recent surge in viral infections, and the Customs Department has not been exempt. As affected staff recovered, operations returned to normal following the Christmas and New Year period.
In terms of recruitment, during 2025, a total of 13 officers were hired by the Customs Department. The majority of these recruits are strategically deployed at the L.F. Wade International Airport during peak operational periods, where passenger volumes and risk profiles are highest.
An additional recruitment exercise is currently underway, with applications closing on Wednesday, 21 January 2026. This forms part of the Ministry’s ongoing workforce planning strategy to address existing staffing shortfalls, anticipated retirements, and increased operational demand during the upcoming tourist season.
The Customs Department anticipates starting another recruitment drive during 2026 to continue our efforts to bolster our ranks and increase our effectiveness.
With respect to the Hamilton Docks, the X-ray scanner is now fully repaired and has been operational since last week. While there have been limited periods over the past decade when the equipment was offline, it is incorrect to suggest that Customs is currently operating without scanning capability at the docks.
As previously outlined, the installation of a new scanning system and the completion of the associated building structure are expected within the next few months, which will further reinforce our border enforcement capability. In the interim, officers continue to conduct inspections using established alternative enforcement procedures.
Minister Weeks said the Opposition Leader’s latest commentary failed to acknowledge these facts. He stated that Mr King has once again chosen to raise concerns about Customs without acknowledging the steps already taken to address them, noting that staffing challenges did not appear overnight and will not be resolved overnight, but that the Government has been actively recruiting officers, investing in training, repairing equipment, and planning ahead for peak operational periods.
The Minister added that portraying Customs officers as unsupported or abandoned is not accurate and does a disservice to the men and women who continue to carry out their duties every day.
He further stressed that border security is not a political football but a serious responsibility that requires sustained action, not selective criticism that ignores progress when it is inconvenient to acknowledge it.