Arlene Brock was officially sworn in as Bermuda?s first Ombudsman at Government House yesterday.

She said she was humbled and grateful to be given the opportunity to serve Bermuda.

?I hope I will serve Bermuda with a level of compassion and fairness and honesty and technique this office so deserves,? she said.

Mr. Brock said being the Ombudsman is an ?absolutely daunting responsibility which undoubtedly would be very challenging?.

She thanked those responsible for giving her the post ? the Premier, Opposition Leader, Interview Commission and references.

And she said she was touched by the public?s support and confidence in her.

?People are very excited in Bermuda (that) we are entering the 21st Century this way,? she said. ?I would like to believe, in the words of that popular song, that that support and confidence will be the ?wind beneath my wings.??

She also thanked her family and friends for their support and encouragement over the years.

Governor Sir John Vereker said the appointment of Bermuda?s first Ombudsman was an important occasion.

?For centuries political philosophers have been struggling with the issue, how do we make those charged with providing public services more directly accountable to the public, to the individuals who benefit from them,? he said.

?In our system of Westminster style democracy, there is of course an accountability of Ministers to the electorate. But societies have become increasingly complicated and the services being provided are more and more complicated.

?Across the world now, people are moving towards the establishment of the post of Ombudsman in order to fill this accountability gap to ensure that the individual does not feel too remote from the people providing the public services. And whether that is because an individual feels that a decision has been taken wrongly, or a decision has not been taken, or a decision is delayed, there is now a channel, or will be a channel, to redress that.

?And those who enjoy so much listening to the talk shows in Bermuda have every confidence that this channel is going to be used.?

Ms Brock starts work on August 1, but she said she will not be fully operational until December 1.

Premier Alex Scott called yesterday?s proceedings historic.

?The Ombudsman will be like a prefect,? he said. ?She will monitor day to day concerns and complaints and she does not have to wait for a complaint of how our Government is serving the public. I have asked and required Cabinet to work closely with her, respond to her and give her all the support and assistance that we possibly can. I?m also going to meet with the heads of Government, the Permanent Secretaries and Technical Officers and do the same thing.

?I want the concept of good governance to catch on like wildfire and spread because when we better serve the community we get a better community.?