Huw's thin blue line.

Some of his happiest times have been volunteering with the Police, the new Commandant of the Bermuda Police Reserves said on Tuesday.

Huw Lewis, owner of Eurotile, was sworn in as the new Commandant of the Reserves on September 30, replacing retiring Commandant Eugene Vickers.

Mr. Lewis is no newcomer. He has volunteered with the Reserves for 25 years.

His involvement in the Reserves began in the late 1970s during a civil disturbance.

"A group of policemen had to go off to deal with the disturbance," said Mr. Lewis. "They asked me to stay and guard the women. Tear gas was thrown at us, and as we were all coughing and choking, I wished I was on the other side of the fence."

At the time, Mr. Lewis was lecturing in the department of hotel technology at the Bermuda College teaching cooking and hotel management courses.

"I thought, perhaps I ought to be joining the guys going out," Mr. Lewis said. "So I joined the Bermuda Police Reserves. It took a long while until I was accepted."

On a part-time basis, the 110 volunteers in the Reserves do everything that regular Police officers do, except ride traffic bikes. "For example, we have Reserve officers in the marine section," said Mr. Lewis. "It is quite difficult to get into this section. There are physical tests. Once they get in because they can swim and dive, then they have to get the various licences, such as pilots' licences and engine drivers' licenses."

On land, Reserve officers help out at community events such as races, parades and Harbour Nights in the city of Hamilton.

"I use to love doing foot patrols, but it seems that people, now, would rather drive around in a car," said Mr. Lewis. "I use to enjoy walking around and talking to people. There are still officers out there on foot patrols.

"Occasionally, we try and get a group of reserve officers and we go to a neighbourhood where there might have been a problem. We get out of the car and do a beat in the neighbourhood. That usually surprises the people living there.

"In the city, if there was a problem, sometimes with school children at the bus terminal, we would get our officers to walk around at that time."

Mr. Lewis said, sometimes the uniform itself helps to keep the peace.

"A policeman in uniform, just their actual presence is a crime prevention tool," said Mr. Lewis. "You never know how much good you're doing just by standing there being on the street corner and talking to passersby. You can guarantee that there won't be any panhandlers around if a policeman is standing there. They are such a nuisance in the city."

The Reserves are often a hidden presence because they wear the same uniform as a regular officer.

"We are always there, but because we have the same uniform people don't really notice that we are there," Mr. Lewis said. "The only distinctive thing is the little shoulder flash. But then, there are other divisions that wear the shoulder flash, so, unless they read the words on the shoulder, people can't tell the difference. That is how it should be."

There is a limit of 184 reserve officers, but during Mr. Lewis' time he has never seen the organisation reach its quota. The Reserves are always trying to get more members.

"We are very proud of the officers we have," said Mr. Lewis. "They do a wonderful job, but we are always actively recruiting. Lives change. People get other commitments. People go off to university for a year and then come back again. We are always looking for new recruits."

To become a Reserve officer, new recruits must go through a period of extensive training.

"We are always upgrading our training," said Mr. Lewis. "We are planning on increasing our training. Now the entry qualification is the same as for a regular Police officer. If you can pass the test to get into the Reserves it will be the same test or virtually the same test."

Reserve officers are required to do at least 13.5 hours of work a month.

"The advantage is that you can participate, but still keep your regular job," said Mr. Lewis. "You might think it is a good community spirited thing to do."

Mr. Lewis, of course, puts in a lot more than 13.5 hours a month.

"Today I started at 9 a.m. and finish at 9 p.m. at night," said Mr. Lewis. "That would be a 12 hour day, but that would be the only 12 hour day I will do this week. It varies. I usually I put in a minimum of two hours a day."

Mr. Lewis said he is always proud when some Reserve officers enjoy the work so much they become regular Police officers.

"I think it is a great idea," he said. "I really applaud them when they do that. I find it so encouraging when I meet career officers who were once Reserve officers. I think it is a tremendous thing. It is quite a sensible way of going about it. If you want to become a career officer, why not test the waters by becoming a Reserve officer, and then apply to the regular service?"

Mr. Lewis was born in South Wales, but came to Bermuda in 1969 to lecture in hotel studies.

"I have always liked chefs," said Mr. Lewis. "They tend to shout and swear a lot, but under difficult conditions they can produce some remarkable things in a very short space of time. So I have always admired chefs as being pretty capable guys.

"The best thing I have brought from the hotel college to the Bermuda Police Reserves is my deputy commandant, Jerry Robinson. He was a student at the hotel college when I was there. He joined the reserves shortly after leaving college. Not only is he my deputy here, but also the general manager at Eurotile. Last week, another student, George Hassell, retired after 18 years in the Reserves. George works at the Wyndham Bermuda Resort and Spa. There was a third guy who is still with us by the name of Shawn Bailey who was with us at the hotel college. You asked me what I brought from the hotel college, three very good policemen."

Mr. Lewis said he really likes the people of Bermuda.

"My wife, Dale, is Bermudian. So is my son Nick. My wife's family have accepted me as one of them, and I really appreciate it. All my friends and family and my interests are Bermuda based."

Mr. Lewis is particularly proud that Nick, 21, is currently getting his honours degree in Police science from Glamorgan University in South Wales.

"Besides my time with my family, I think my happiest times are when I am in the company of Reserve officers," Mr. Lewis said. "We have Reserve officers here from every walk of life.

"The cement that binds us is that we are all wanting to help the community. They are all just decent people. They are very, very hardworking.

"We call on people at unearthly hours to help out. They are always so cheerful about it. They are a group I am proud to be part of."

To join the Bermuda Police Reserves contact any local police station, or call Reserve Headquarters at 299-4442.