Bernard was ready to meet his maker

POLICE COMMISSIONER Hilton Guy, members of the Police First Division, other officers and friends and relatives of the late Police Commissioner Eustace Bernard turned up at the Church of the Assumption, Maraval, to pay final respects.

However, the church was not packed to capacity as expected. Dr David Quamina, a close friend of Bernard, said in the eulogy that when he visited his friend on Saturday he appeared peaceful and ready to meet his maker. He described Bernard as one of the most accomplished Commissioners to ever pass through the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service. Quamina added that the former CoP had lived a full life, and had worked hard to achieve his goals. Ag Police Commissioner Everald Snaggs, who paid tribute on behalf of the Police Service, said Bernard joined the service in 1934 and retired in 1973.

He grew up in Tobago and worked as a store clerk before being enlisted. Bernard received his initial training at the Police Barracks, later renamed the Police Training College. According to the Ag Commissioner, in the 1940’s Bernard was sent to the San Juan Police Station, and while working there he met and fell in love with Nydia Louisa Quinlan. They were married in 1943. Bernard went on to receive 22 career awards, and in 1942 he was transferred to the San Juan CID, where he earned a war medal. In 1949 he moved to the Police First Division. He was instrumental in planning for the First Independence Day celebrations in Trinidad and Tobago. Snaggs said in 1971, Bernard reached the pinnacle of his career when he was appointed Commissioner.

He was the first Commissioner who came through and served the ranks of the organisation, seeing it through its transformation process when it had a name change from the Constabulary to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service to focus on service to the society. “Bernard was a disciplinarian, and one who consistently tried to improve the service in the way he knew best. “On his retirement in 1973, his wealth of knowledge in policing was not left to go to pasture as senior officers regularly tapped upon his expertise,” said the Ag Commissioner. He said Bernard was proud of the service and would urge officers to continue to uplift the service. Father Garfield Rochard, who officiated at the service, spoke glowingly about the late Commissioner. At the end of the service, First Division Officers lined the entrance of the church as a mark of respect, as pall-bearers carried the casket to the hearse for burial at Lapeyrouse Cemetery.