No date has been set yet for implementing Police reforms passed in the House of Assembly earlier this year governing how suspects are treated and samples taken.

The Police Amendment Act, drawing heavily on the 1984 Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) in Britain, passed Senate in March this year.

But Home Affairs Minister Terry Lister, who has the authority to order the reforms to begin, has not yet activated them as Police are still working to ensure they are ready.

Police Commissioner Jonathan Smith said yesterday that a Police committee is still examining how the Service can implement all 115 points of the legislation.

This will include appointing five more sergeants - who will also need to be trained - for the new position of custody officers.

Asked when the changes will be operational, Mr. Smith said: "We are measuring this by months at this point. I will get my first report from my committee in June."

The new laws cover how and when a suspect can be searched, ensures there is a detailed record of their belongings, and gives them the right to inform someone else they have been arrested.

A suspect can call a lawyer "as soon as is practicable" - although Police may order delays, for example in drug cases, if they think it may hinder the seizure of narcotics.

A code of practice has been drafted by the Attorney General's chambers for Police for questioning and identification of suspects.

Police are now working on notes for guidance for this new code of conduct.

Officers now use "the Judge's Rules" for intereviews, where suspects must be cautioned and the time and place of an interview must be recorded, including who was there.

New legislation in 2001 allowed Police to tape record all interviews with suspects, but only the commercial crime unit has the equipment installed and is taping interviews.

Mr. Smith said this was due to the problem of finding suitable space where the sensitive recording equipment could operate.

"Some parts of the physical plant are in a better state to install the equipment than others, because some require a lot more renovation than others."

At Hamilton Police Station there were "real problems trying to find space that is suitable to install the equipment where it works effectively".

The Narcotics office and Serious Crimes Unit at Police headquarters at Prospect have been renovated to take the recording equipment.

Somerset Police station should be online for the new equipment within months, but he could not give a date when all the Island's Police stations will be tape recording interviews.

He said the Judge's Rules were outdated and needed to be improved. Police are currently looking at whether to keep all custody records on computer or manually.

"They were outdated and there is no doubt the new legislation is a significant improvement in enhancing the quality of evidence the courts will see," he said. "Through tape recording they will be able to listen to an accused in their own words."