Commissioner of Police Mr. Colin Coxall yesterday launched a mission statement that sets out in broad terms the Bermuda Police Service's policy and standards for its officers.

The document will be displayed prominently in all Police stations and every officer, reserve constable and recruit will be required to be familiar with its contents.

At a morning press conference at Prospect, Mr. Coxall, flanked by several senior officers, said that it was important to put the mission statement together because it was one of several important recommendations included in the Tumin report.

Mr. Coxall said that the accent throughout the document is one of "service and not force''.

And while it was just a first step, the mission statement would lead to priority assessments within the Police Service from which actions, consistent and in harmony with the needs of the wider community, would be taken.

Moreover, Mr. Coxall said that the mission statement was built on the relationship between the Police and the public and had the added benefit of making clear the guidelines that govern the Police Service.

Mr. Coxall said the mission statement would be a beacon for officers because it would explain exactly what was expected of them as they performed their duties.

"I hope it (mission statement) recognises the complexities of Bermudian society,'' he said. "Particularly the racial construction, ethnic origin, its culture and the variety of its religious beliefs, which I think are really a strength in Bermudian society.

"I think it also emphasises and recognises the mutuality of respect between the Police and the public which is essential for the way I think this Service should function and the way we should move forward.

Although the mission statement is aimed internally, Mr. Coxall made it clear that all citizens were responsible for their own behaviour and were expected to obey the law.

"There is an obligation on both sides,'' he added. "(For) ourselves to give a high quality of service to the public, and for the public to respect the law.'' Additionally, Mr. Coxall said the mission statement also contained the Police Service's "willingness to change and respond equally to constructive criticism from the community.'' This, he said, was part of his vision of a "more open'' Police Service which required a high degree of integrity.

"I think we need to admit when we are wrong,'' he continued. "And to change our attitudes as a result of any wrongdoing.'' Conversely, Mr. Coxall said that when Police officers did a good job it was important for that performance to be acknowledged.

The full text of the Police Mission statement: The Commissioner and members of the Bermuda Police Service are committed to upholding the law fairly but firmly; to preventing crime; to pursuing and bringing justice to those who break the law; to keeping the peace; to protecting, helping and reassuring the community and to be seen to do all this with integrity, common sense and sound judgment.

We will ensure that, in delivering this service, we treat people equally regardless of their age, gender, race, colour, ethnic or national origins and that our policies and procedures are designed so as not to discriminate either intentionally or unintentionally against any group or individual. We will also seek to respond sensitively to any special needs experienced by particular groups.

We will be compassionate, courteous and patient, acting without fear or prejudice to the rights of others. We will be professional, calm and restrained in the face of violence and apply only that force which is necessary to accomplish our lawful duty.

We will strive to reduce the fears of the public and so far as we can, reflect their priorities in the action we take. We will respond to well-founded criticism with a willingness to change.