Police will channel the public mood into community outreach in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protest yesterday, police commissioner Stephen Corbishley said.Speaking after the march, which brought more than 7,000 people onto the streets of Hamilton, Mr Corbishley said: “What a fantastic afternoon. I feel extremely humbled and extremely moved.”He said police “are there to support such protests”, adding: “I just want to express my appreciation to the organisers, who have engaged with us throughout the process.”Mr Corbishley added: “I celebrate today; I congratulate the organisers.“There was a lot of love out there which sets the tone for how we move forward and I hope we can all embrace the opportunity that lies ahead.”He acknowledged anger over “police brutality and racial prejudice” and said it was important that police “embrace not just the energy, but the opportunity to change”.He said: “Over the next couple of days, we will announce some plans in regards to how we can build on the confidence across all communities, but particularly in the black community, about how we can serve better, how we can be more transparent, and how we can engage more effectively.”He said he planned to meet this week with the Bermuda Police Service’s advisory group.“I also want help from the community, and I’ve already benefited from a number of people who have contacted me directly to offer support.”Mr Corbishley said the move came with “a commitment to change, to make things better”.“We have many challenges, but I do believe that the vast, vast majority in the Bermuda Police Service are there for the challenge.”Organisers had told police to walk at the rear of the demonstration, which Mr Corbishley said police had respected.Demonstrations worldwide have focused on police brutality, and Mr Corbishley said “a lot of issues were raised” in managing the police presence.But he said in the end both he and deputy commissioner Darrin Simons had been pulled in to the march at the behest of protesters, which “allowed me to engage with lots of people”.He said: “We were seen to be part of the community today, while we did have a job to do.”Calls came online for police not to join the protest because of lingering mistrust over December 2, 2016, when police pepper-sprayed protesters, including seniors, during confrontations outside the House of Assembly. Mr Corbishley said: “In regards to December 2, clearly I wasn’t here at the time, but I’ve made myself fully aware of all the circumstances.”He said he was not defending police because “many people were deeply hurt, deeply upset, and felt a sense of wounding by what took place on that day”.Mr Corbishley said there were “lessons learnt, including 17 recommendations” after an investigation of the incident.He said some of that learning was evident yesterday in how police supported and managed the march “in a way that was community-based, and not one that perhaps looked only in enforcement”.“The most important thing for me to do is acknowledge how people felt. Yes, it’s an important part of our history to deal with, but it should also be an important part of our future, by engaging the people, supporting the people, listening and giving them a service that protects them.”