Artwork, says Bermuda Police Commissioner Colin Coxall, can soften an atmosphere, and help people -- especially children -- feel less threatened by sometimes difficult circumstances.

One of his first actions on arrival in Bermuda was to give the `green light' ("and a bit of cash!'') for a new interview room at Prospect to be used for children and other victims of sexual abuse. He was delighted, he says, that artist Stephanie Hill has provided such colourful and cheerful artwork to decorate the new room.

"It's especially difficult to interview children under circumstances that are often very stressful. Having to take them into our police stations certainly didn't help. So we felt it was a matter of some urgency to improve that situation. We have also provided taping facilities, so that a child does not have to keep on repeating what are sometimes very traumatic events. When I was with the Thames Valley Police, we had that kind of set-up, which was to keep them completely outside the policing environment.'' He also believes that art is an extension of the culture of any country. "You only have to look at some of the famous works of art to see how that culture is emerging -- think of Picasso's vision of Armageddon, `Guernica', which was banned by the authorities because it showed so clearly what was happening to Spain under fascism.'' Now, Mr. Coxall has borrowed some paintings from the Bermuda Society of Arts' Contemporary Collection "to brighten up'' his own office at Prospect.

Pictures by members of the Society, including one of the Queen, painted by Sam Morse-Brown now adorn the walls. "I think that's a very good picture of her.

It was so drab in here -- a bit like a funeral parlour! So I'm very grateful to the Society of Arts for coming to my rescue! I was also grateful to Masterworks, who have donated some framed posters, just to lighten the whole place up, and to make it look less threatening. We have a lot of visitors coming in and out, so I felt it was important for people to feel comfortable, and to feel that they can talk freely in a non-threatening atmosphere.'' Pulling the office blinds open, he reveals a tangle of radio masts and comments: "Not a very nice view. I think the planners put us in the wrong end of the building -- there are lovely sea views on the other end!'' Not that Mr. Coxall has much time for gazing out of windows. Since he arrived here in March, he has been putting in 11 and 12-hour days in a concerted effort to come up with what he calls a "strategy'' for the Bermuda Police Service. "I have been doing a lot of learning -- and a lot of just actively listening to what people have to say. I spend an enormously long time at work.

I gave myself 90 days, and in fact, I finished it this weekend.'' Speaking with the frankness that already characterises his tenure, Mr. Coxall readily agrees that it must have been a difficult decision for Bermuda to "go across to the UK to get your Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner. I realised there were some huge barriers to overcome and I've been very grateful for the way I have been received -- with a couple of rare exceptions, I have been treated with great warmth and respect -- both in the Service and by the Bermudian people themselves. I have lost count of the police officers who have said `welcome' and how much they welcomed my appointment. I realised it was quite a fundamental change for any policing organisation to have to admit that within its own ranks there were no staff with sufficient ability or experience to lead the Service forward. But,'' he adds, "I will admit I was alarmed by the strength of some of the objections -- mainly in the political area. My perception is that this has now dissipated. So, here I am, in the throes of the final stages of preparing the tone and policy for Bermuda for the entire time I am here, and perhaps beyond.'' He speaks of the need for more openness and accountability within the Service, stressing the importance for improved access to the public through the media.

"This is one question I ask myself on a regular basis. That is, `Would you mind this being put in the paper? If you do mind, don't do it!' That is called integrity.'' Mr. Coxall is vehement in his conviction that the quality of the Service can only improve if morale is improved. "It's not use saying `these people are our most precious commodity' and them house them in such appalling conditions! I am immensely heartened by the quality that exists in the Service. We have some very bright people, some with degrees, who need to be stretched and developed.'' Indicating a large diagram on an easel in his office, Mr. Coxall comments: "It may look complicated to you, but this is how the Police Service will look -- clear lines on communication and accountability. I want to see responsibility devolving to the lower ranks who actually deliver the service to the public. One effect this will have,'' he adds with a disarming smile, "is that it will sort out those who can take the responsibility!'' His overall strategy, which he says may be disagreed with, is based on what he calls sound business practice to get the best value for money and "to bring on the young people for the future. We should be pushing the most able.

Promotion interviews will in future be conducted in accordance with set criteria -- which is another policy that I have grown up with. The Deputy Commissioner will be in charge of the next round and I shall be playing no part in that process.'' In the meantime, he has brought in a systems analyst who is head of the Research and Planning Department in the UK. "He has been over here on a free loan from London, assisting me and doing the number crunching and presentation of the strategy which we feel is needed to bring the Service up to date -- which I am now, hopefully, about to negotiate through Government. Then, that strategy will be made public.'' Mr. Coxall says the principles have already been agreed by Government, through consultations with the Hon. Jerome Dill, together with the Attorney General.

"We have a costed plan and hope that this will come into effect.'' Paying tribute to his minister, the Hon. John Irving Pearman, he comments that "he has taken really positive action in Somerset, for instance, and is moving the Post Office out of the Police Station, so that we can provide interviewing facilities.'' A new and, in his opinion, desperately overdue innovation will be the taping of all interviews. "Then, there can be no argument over what is said, or not said, and if people want to, they can take copies of the tape with them when they go. That professional way of dealing with issues is the culture I have grown up with, and the way that I understand.'' Bermuda's new commissioner also admits to feeling somewhat bemused at suddenly finding himself thrust into the limelight in the Island's art world. "I certainly wouldn't claim to be an art expert, although my wife and I spend a lot of time in the galleries at home. We've been to the Carib Art Show, and thought it was a lovely exhibition. When I was in London I was able to borrow some beautiful paintings for my office there, including a Constable and a Joshua Reynolds. Now, I've been made an honorary member of the Directors' Circle of the Bermuda National Gallery, and I have been asked to officially open the Bermuda Society of Arts' Summer Show next Friday.'' Shaking his head, he smiles and says: "I think it's most unlikely for a London policeman to be opening an art show! But I think it's a lovely idea, and I'm really looking forward to it!'' COMMISSIONER'S COLLECTION -- The Commissioner of Police, Colin Coxall, pictured in his office at Prospect with pictures (by, left, Sheilagh Head and, right, Christopher Marson) loaned by the Bermuda Society of Arts.