In the event of Independence, would Bermuda's security forces be able to protect the Country from overseas attacks, riots, or civil unrest and are they even equipped to handle such disturbances? Bermuda Police Commissioner Mr. Colin Coxall seems to think so and he feels that there would be very little change in the Police Service if Bermuda were to become independent.

"Constitutionally, there would be very little difference. In theory, there is a capacity to call upon the UK for support and I could conceive that there would still be a possibility of doing that in the unlikely circumstances of an operational need,'' Mr. Coxall said.

He added that Bermuda's Police Service has an establishment of 489 officers with the present strength of 432.

"I would imagine that the established figure would be sufficient to deal with all anticipated operational needs and the service is quite well prepared to deal with any disturbances.

"We are going through, in my new Service Strategy, a process of change and the purpose of that change is to improve the operational capacity of the Bermuda Police Service.'' Mr. Coxall added that it was his hope to bring the service up to its establishment.

The Green Paper and the Position Papers on Independence state that on the issue of defence, including armed forces, Bermuda's geographical location, and the fact that the United States is its closets neighbour, "virtually preclude any possibility of an invasion by way of a landing of hostile forces here''.

And one of the Bermuda Regiment's objectives is to "supplement Police operations against infiltrators and saboteurs as a contribution to external defence''.

According to the Green Paper an independent Bermuda would wish to have, as a formal precaution, a Treaty of Friendship with either the US, the United Kingdom, or Canada to cover its defence.

With Independence the Regiment would become the responsibility of the Government, instead of the Governor as it is now.

"But there has always been a high level of coordination with the Government, hence Ministers already have a good working familiarity with this responsibility.'' At present, Bermuda receives expert advice and assistance from the United Kingdom in respect of the training of the officers and the men and women of the Bermuda Regiment.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has assured Bermuda that in the event of Independence, this advice and assistance would continue to be available, as it is to many independent commonwealth countries large and small. And Bermuda would pay for it as it does now.

The subject of Internal Security has hit a strong note as a major concern, particularly for the business community, is whether an Independent Bermuda, standing alone, would have the ability to control civil disorder.

"At the moment comfort is derived from the fact that, under Bermuda's present constitutional arrangements, should matters reach a point where the Police, assisted by the Bermuda Regiment and the Reserve Constabulary, appeared no longer able to control the situation, the Governor is able to ask for assistance from the United Kingdom.

"This would almost certainly be forthcoming, although it has been made abundantly clear that Bermuda would be expected to pay the full cost of such assistance. Upon Independence, the United Kingdom would no longer have this responsibility or obligation,'' the Green Paper states.

This understandably causes public concern, since civil disorder has the potential to damage, not only people and property, but in both the short and long term, the tourism and international business on which Bermuda's economy entirely depends.

Bermuda experienced riots in 1968 and 1977 and in both cases the Governor finally concluded that the local security forces, stretched to their limits, might require assistance.

In both cases troops were dispatched by the United Kingdom and on neither occasion were they actively used, but their involvement probably had a cooling effect on the situation.

The Green paper states that "subsequently in 1977 and 1978 steps were taken to ensure that the Bermuda Regiment would, in the future, be able to fulfil its commitments without external reinforcement''.

As a result, equipment was added, training was improved -- particularly in respect of riot control -- and the establishment of the Regiment was increased from 450 to 700.

Since then, Police capability has also improved both in respect of equipment and manpower, despite the fact established manpower stands at 489 while funding is currently provided for only 432.

The Green Paper says the lack of any serious civil disorder for 15 years could mean that the chance of any such trouble in future is remote.

And during these 15 years training and equipment have improved and the establishment has been increased. "Hence the indications are that Bermuda, with its well-trained and equipped Police Force, reserve Constabulary and Regiment, should have the capability to manage its internal security without external reinforcement.''