Commissioner Colin Coxall's right-hand man.

And Mr. Lemay -- a Chief Superintendent in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police -- said he would be tackling his new role at the gallop.

For he plans to be in the saddle by the weekend, meeting the force and the community.

Ch. Supt. Lemay was speaking only minutes after arriving in Bermuda, to be greeted by new boss, Commissioner Colin Coxall and St. George's Ch. Insp.

Vendal Bridgeman.

The new number two in the Bermuda Police will be sworn in as Deputy Commissioner by Governor Lord Waddington today.

Ch. Supt. Lemay said: "I'm sure glad I'm here and I'm looking forward to starting the job.

"I intend to start work this weekend and get around informally -- meet the officers and some people in the community. It should be very interesting.'' Ch. Supt. Lemay -- on an 18 month temporary secondment from the one of the world's most famous forces -- headed due south to Bermuda after former Deputy Commissioner Michael Mylod last September quit his two-year contract early to return home to England for personal reasons.

Commissioner Colin Coxall said yesterday: "I'm delighted he is here. He has all the skills necessary to make a very great contribution to the future of policing in Bermuda.'' Ch. Supt. Lemay's last post was director of staffing and personnel at the RCMP's Ottawa HQ.

He has taught at the RCMP Academy and served in Paris with Interpol for two years tracking the proceeds of criminal activities like drug-dealing.

Ch. Supt. Lemay has also headed the Mounties' commercial crime section and been head of training at the RCMP Academy.

In addition, he was in the forefront of the Mounties programme to identify potential high flyers early in their careers.