Mr. Colin Coxall, the newest member of the Bermuda Police Service, will begin his first full day as Commissioner this morning after being sworn in at Government House yesterday during a 10-minute ceremony.

And it appears that the protest against his hiring has not dampened his spirit.

In fact the 55-year-old Englishman downplayed the controversy surrounding his appointment and said he had already met with the Attorney General, community leaders and the Mayor of Hamilton.

"I'm just here as a professional Police officer doing the best I can for the people of Bermuda,'' he told reporters.

"As soon as people realise that, any concerns there might be within some elements of the community may fade away.'' Mr. Coxall admitted that he had a lot to learn and he would take it at his own pace.

But he said he was looking forward optimistically to the challenge.

In the middle of the Government House drawing room, Mr. Coxall took the oath before Governor Lord Waddington and an assembled pool of politicians and top civil servants from the Bermuda Regiment, the Fire Service, Customs and the Judiciary.

Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan welcomed Mr. Coxall to Bermuda after the ceremony and he thanked outgoing Police Commissioner Mr. Lennett Edwards for his service to Bermuda. Mr. Edwards offically retired yesterday.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my two-and-a-half years as Commissioner and my 34 years as a Police officer,'' he told The Royal Gazette afterwards.

"Needless to say there is a tinge of sadness, but my departure was forced on me by illness. I have every confidence that Mr. Coxall will get on with the job.

"The Police Service is anxious to work with him. I know that he brings great experience to us from the United Kingdom.

"I just ask that the public give him a chance to get on and do this very important job.'' Mr. Coxall went to Police Headquarters in Prospect yesterday for a meeting with a team of senior officers after he left Government House in Mr. Edwards' car.

He has not moved into his official residence yet although he expected that to be arranged soon.

Mr. Coxall, who is married with two daughters, has an Honours Degree in Law from King's College at the University of London. He began his career in 1959 with the Metropolitan Police. Since 1989, he has served as Assistant Commissioner of the City of London Police, a post equivalent to Deputy Commissioner in Bermuda.

That force is more than twice the size of Bermuda's, having 930 Police officers, 400 civilians, and a budget of $60 million. He received the Queen's Police Medal for distinguished service in 1993.

Labour and Home Affairs Minister Mr. John Irving Pearman said Mr. Coxall's hiring was the first step in Government's attempt to reposition the Police Service.

"All Police services in the world, not just Bermuda, have to adapt to the changing society and this is a good opportunity for Bermuda,'' he said.