call to arms to reinvent community policing.

Mr. Cowen stepped down as chairman of the Police Eastern Division Consultative Committee when the Premier asked for reigning board members to resign after the General Election.

Now he wants the abandoned committee to be re-established.

And he said last night: "Our work was incomplete but I think given time we would have been able to create a better framework for understanding problems.

"Time would have enabled us to offer practical tools and inspiration to accelerate a better Bermuda.'' He said the committee was non-partisan with members from both major political parties, an independent candidate, clergy, schoolteachers, businesspeople and a Corporation of St. George's representative.

Mr. Cowen added: "Everyone contributed in their own way to uniting the community which could shoulder some of the responsibilities in tackling particular problems in their areas.

"The Police are now on a recruitment drive and hope to attract young Bermudians -- but they are also considering extending the age limit so that others will join the Service.

"During the meantime, the committee that was formed to improve relationships between the community and the Police has been abandoned.

"In fact more so than ever before, residents should be encouraged to become involved as more blatant crimes occur far too frequently.'' POLICE POL CLUB CLB