according to an in-depth probe into the department.

And extra training for front-line officers and their supervisors should also be introduced to ensure that evidence in drugs cases is watertight.

A special Commission of Inquiry also recommended that a change in the law to allow tape-recording of interviews with suspects should be treated as "a matter of the highest priority''.

The news came in a 51-page report, prepared by the three-man Commission following a week-long hearing in August.

The report -- written in the wake of controversy surrounding the botched case against then-alleged drugs dealer Ellsworth Wilson -- outlined seven main points aimed at avoiding problems in the future.

The probe was ordered by Governor Thorold Masefield in the wake of claims by ex-Police officer and former drugs squad detective Lendrea Davis.

She claimed she had come under pressure to alter her notes following the arrest of Mr. Wilson, Mount Hill, Pembroke, in February last year.

The Commission heard evidence that alleged drugs exhibits seized from Mr.

Wilson's Toyota Land Cruiser had not been tagged or properly logged in or out of an overnight secure lock-up in the drugs squad offices.

The lack of continuity in the evidence led Puisne Judge Norma Wade-Miller in June to order a jury to return formal not guilty verdicts on drugs charges brought against Mr. Wilson.

The report said: "The inquiry has highlighted the need for training and retraining at all levels of the Police service.

"Training is needed for Police officers in the essential requirement for proper packaging of exhibits required for evidence, and of the purpose and need for clear and identifiable chains of continuity to establish the direct connection between exhibit and the accused.'' The Commission report said supervision was a key element of effectiveness -- but that supervision appeared to be "distinctly lacking'' in the Wilson case.

The report added: "The Commission was concerned at the apparent lack of supervision in the Wilson case, particularly in relation to the handling of exhibits, the preparation of statements of evidence and submission of these for prosecution. Further training of supervisory staff is recommended...

"It is recommended that the level of supervision of all facets of the Narcotics Department be re-examined and strengthened by implementing appropriate procedures, checks and training.'' The report added that senior officers had spoke of having their trust betrayed by junior officers.

But the Commissioners insisted: "Supervision is essential because trusted colleagues may be guilty of lapses.'' And they said: "Proper supervision will also make it more difficult for the rare officer who is corruptly motivated to contaminate the system.'' The report found that the existing Force Standing Instructions were "adequate'' in relation to the care and security of drugs exhibits and that if they had been followed in the Wilson case "the evidence in the case would not have been compromised''.

The Commission, which included Her Majesty's Inspector of Dependent Territories Police Forces Lionel Grundy and former Cabinet Secretary Kenneth Richardson, also recommended the introduction of new tamper-proof evidence bags to assist in establishing "an appropriate chain of continuity''.

The report added: "When placed in temporary or permanent storage, logs should be kept of who has submitted the exhibit, the reference name and number of the exhibit, when it was removed from storage and by whom.'' Narcotics squad report released It also said a permanent computerised record, hard-copy back-up or both should be kept of all transactions with the drugs squad's Custodian and that a bi-annual audit or narcotics exhibits "should be reinstated at the earliest opportunity''.

The Commission heard evidence that the offices occupied by the drugs squad were badly-ventilated, too small and completely inadequate for an expanded drugs-busting unit.

The report said: "The Commission agrees that the physical environment of the Narcotics Department is not conducive to proper performance of the job.

But it added: "Plans have already been drawn up to remedy the situation and the Commission recommends that their implementation should be treated as a matter of urgency.'' The report noted that on the day of the Wilson arrest, officers on day shift starting at 8.30 a.m. were still on duty 14 hours later.

The Commission also heard claims by Ms Davis that she routinely signed blank witness statement forms -- although a host of other officers denied that the practice was common.

The report recommended that a register of movements of documents should be kept -- and stressed that blank forms should never be signed.

The Commission also said designated note-takers -- the role performed by Ms Davis during the Wilson probe -- should submit their notes to the senior officer with the executed search warrant. The report noted that while this was said to be now the practice, the recommendation should be added to Force Standing Instructions.

The Commissioners added that they were pleased that aspects of the English Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, which guarantees the rights of suspects, were being explored locally.

The report said: "Aspects of PACE dealing with arrest procedures for, and detention of, suspected persons and procedures for questioning and interviewing of persons, including persons detained by the Police, are being considered.'' Last night Commissioner Colin Coxall said: "I have studied the Telford Georges inquiry report in depth. It is a thoughtful, thorough report dealing with all the issues which emerged as result of failure of the Ellsworth Wilson trial.

"Many of the recommendations have already been implemented and it can be anticipated that all of the recommendations will be followed up and implemented by a small working party put together for that purpose.

"I am particularly pleased that the inquiry team addressed the issue of the inadequate accommodation in which my narcotics officers are housed and plans are at an advanced stage to improve the accommodations as a matter of urgency, which is recommended in the report.'' He added: "Criticism of individual officers have been carefully noted and an inquiry under the Deputy Commissioner of Police is already being carried forward and careful note of the recommendations contained within the report will be made.'' Home Affairs Minister Quinton Edness said the report had highlighted training, the importance of following established procedures and supervision of drugs squad officers.

He added: "While all three of these are in place, it's important for them to have some degree of continuity. They should be brought up to speed on the best training possible and they should certainly be made aware of the procedures they have to follow.'' Mr. Edness added that discussions on improvements to drugs squad offices were underway and added that he welcomed the Commission's recommendation that a separate computer or hard copy record of drugs exhibits should be set up.