Michael A. DeSilva
OMBUDSMAN FOR BERMUDA, EFFECTIVE MARCH 28th, 2022
Former Head Boy at Warwick Academy, Michael DeSilva joined the Bermuda Police Service (BPS) in 1985 as a police cadet. He worked in a variety of posts throughout his career, including Somerset Police Station, Outward Bound, Marine Section, Cycle Squad, Narcotics and Community Policing. He was appointed as Commissioner of Police in 2009. During his tenure, he was the president of the Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police (ACCP) and Chair of the Caribbean Region of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). In 2011 he received the Colonial Police Medal for meritorious service, and in 2017 he was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal for distinguished service.
Mr. DeSilva retired from the BPS in 2018, after nearly 9 years as Commissioner and 33 years of service. He spent the next 3 years at the Hamilton Princess and Beach Club as Director of Security and Emergency Management. He was responsible for the hotel's physical and electronic security, safety and health programme, emergency and disaster preparation and response, and COVID-19 regulations compliance.
Mr. DeSilva holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree and a post-graduate diploma in strategic management. He is a Chartered Manager and Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute. He is a graduate of the FBI’s National Academy, the FBI’s National Executive Institute, and the UK College of Policing.
Mr. DeSilva was appointed by Her Excellency the Governor, Ms. Rena Lalgie, as Ombudsman for Bermuda in March, 2022.
Aquilah Fleming
INVESTIGATIONS OFFICER
Aquilah Fleming begun working at the Ombudsman’s Office as an Administrative Assistant in March 2014. Since then, she has been promoted three times: to Complaint Intake Officer in 2016, Junior Investigations Officer in 2018 and Investigations Officer in 2020.
She graduated with a Bachelors in Law with Upper Second Honours from the University of Kent in 2013. She interned at the Centre for Justice and Juris Law Chambers in the months between graduating and working at the Ombudsman’s Office.
Kristen Augustus
INVESTIGATIONS OFFICER
Kristen Augustus completed the International Foundation Programme (Law Routes) at the University of Kent in 2011. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Laws (LLB) at the University of Essex via distance education. Ms. Augustus has a diverse background, having worked and volunteered in different industries within our community including legal and clinical environments. Ms. Augustus provided temporary administrative and research support to the Ombudsman’s Office from April 2019 to April 2021. She then joined the Office as an Investigations Officer in May 2021.