of the force in 30 years.

It could mean the first major changes to the force since the late '50s and early '60s, when it was changed to its present system.

The committee working on the review is made up of members from the full spectrum of the Police, from constables to the Island's Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Alex Forbes.

Mr. Forbes said: "There is the potential for major changes happening with the opportunity for input from every member of the force.'' The Deputy Commissioner could not go into details of where possible changes might occur because the report must first go to the Governor, Lord Waddington, a former British Home Secretary, and the Minister for Delegated Affairs, the Hon. Sir John Sharpe.

But he said that the committee came about originally as a plan to resolve pay and conditions disagreements between the Government and the Police Association.

The committee is made up of Mr. Forbes, a superintendent and a chief inspector representing the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Lennett Edwards. P.c. Michael De Silva, deputy chairman of the Police Association, an inspector and a sergeant are the PA members.

The independent chairman of the committee, agreed by both parties, is retired banker, Mr. Michael King.

Mr. Forbes said: "It was also felt prudent by the Commissioner that, as well as the outstanding items from the pay and conditions talks, the working party should look at organisation.

"The Bermuda Police force has not been reorganised since the late '50s and early '60s. There has been some tinkering with certain aspects but no major re-organisation.'' However, he stressed that the committee may decide that nothing should be done to the existing system, which was reviewed by external bodies twice in the mid-'80s. Those recommendations will be considered by the working party.

P.c. De Silva said that the Police Association were pleased to be involved in the committee.

He said: "It is not a one-sided thing. It is not the lower ranks complaining to senior officers to `fix anything that is broken.' "It is a joint effort to see if there are improvements which can be made.

All ranks are represented in this. Anyone can provide some input.'' Both Mr. Forbes and P.c. De Silva were also hoping that some of the pay and conditions problems could be resolved in any re-organisation. Those problems came under the headings of "morale and efficiency''.

Mr. Forbes said: "The committee will be looking at ways of increasing efficiency and that could improve morale.'' PHOTO Deputy Commissioner Mr. Alex Forbes.