Police officers will no longer be allowed to associate with known criminals and gang members according to a new code of conduct.

Commissioner of Police Michael DeSilva said the new code outlines 50 areas of behaviour the Police are expected to follow or refrain from.

"The content of the code is not new to the BPS; we have just codified the behaviours that are expected, or prohibited in some cases, both on and off duty."

A press conference on the new code was held yesterday. Officers have found it useful in that it clearly spells out what is expected of them, Mr. DeSilva said.

"We have formalised the process for disqualifying officers from being involved in cases where there is a relationship such as a family member or friend.

"We have also specified, categorically, that business or personal relationships with known criminals and gang members will not be tolerated."

Mr. DeSilva acknowledged that officers in a community as small as Bermuda's might have members of their extended family involved in illegal activities.

He said that would be taken into account, but officers were now aware they should not have close personal relationships with such individuals.

"In January I published the annual policing plan in which we identified the four areas that we would improve this year: people, partnerships, priorities and performance.

"In terms of the people component, our staff are critical to the mission of making Bermuda safer. We are committed to develop all our staff to achieve high standards of competency and performance. The benefit back to the Police comes in the form of public trust, confidence, cooperation and support."

Most of the points in the code centre on the way people are treated. Training has already started to improve the way the Service handles calls from the public, an area which has consistently been criticised, he said.

The code was developed in consultation with the Police Complaints Authority (PCA).

PCA head Michelle St. Jane said: "We look forward to working with the Police on this, and we will next focus on dealing with disciplinary issues."

Grievance forms are available at all of the Island's Police stations to persons wishing to make a complaint against officers.

The forms can be handed in at any station or to the Professional Conduct Unit located at the Police headquarters in Prospect. A formal investigation will then be lodged.

Mr. DeSilva added: "The value of the code extends beyond the direction it gives to Police officers; members of the public should know what behaviours to expect from their Police officers and they should be assured that officers remain accountable for their actions when providing policing services."

You can see the code in full at www.police.bm.