permit requirements may be overblown, but there are good reasons to be cautious about the new Immigration hotline.

There are people who are fearful of reporting their colleagues or superiors to Government for work permit breaches and the hotline may help them to avoid the intimidation of having to make a formal complaint. For people who are nervous of authority, or who write poorly, it can be easier for them to voice their complaint instead of putting pen to paper.

And there are also people who may fear making any form of complaint if they think that it will be revealed, potentially bringing down the wrath of the person who is breaking the law upon them.

But there are also risks involved. If people are allowed to leave anonymous allegations on the hotline -- and if Immigration feels obliged to follow them all up -- it could result in people being subjected to groundless witch hunts.

As MP Kim Young points out, it could also be abused by anyone with an axe to grind -- whether they are estranged spouses, disgruntled ex-employees or rivals for a job.

Home Affairs Minister Paula Cox has said malicious complaints will be investigated to prevent misuse.

Those investigations and preventions of abuse could be the greatest test of credibility the hotline's organisers face.

GOOD ADVICE EDT Good advice Home Affairs Minister Paula Cox has shown some courage in inviting MPs to debate the Police Service and its role in the community.

She runs the risk of being hit with a hailstorm of criticism over recruiting, succession planning and Police pay and morale.

Having only been in Government for five months, she and her Progressive Labour Party colleagues can lay some of the blame for the problems on the previous Government, but that argument is beginning to wear thin when the community is looking for solutions.

Nonetheless, Ms Cox has the opportunity to lay out her vision of the role of the Police and if this debate turns out to be constructive, the whole community could benefit.

One recommendation made yesterday which Ms Cox could take up immediately is W.A. (Toppy) Cowen's call for the return of the Police consultative committees which were set up for the eastern, central and western parishes.

These committees had their genesis in the Police-civilian committee set up in the wake of the Tumim Report.

Under Commissioner Colin Coxall, the regional committees were formed and brought useful civilian input into the Police. At the same time, the citizens involved were able to get a better understanding of Police practices.

It was a mistake to eliminate boards which improved dialogue between the Police and the community without replacing them with anything else; Ms Cox would do well to bring them back.