concerns with Police authority. According to the Commissioner and his deputy, it's a move that has been well received by the public as it enables them to become involved in the policing of their communities. "The whole idea of consultative communities has been a vision that I've had for the Service for the last two years,'' explained Commissioner Colin Coxall. "It is based upon the community interacting closely with the Police Service at a local level to engender trust and openness in the problems relating to crime, law and order in the local community. "The emphasis is on local policing and local policing problems being shared with community representatives.'' According to Deputy Commissioner Jean Jacques Lemay, the partnership idea is a good one. "The whole idea stemmed from the need for Police to work in partnership with the community,'' he said. "Traditionally, Police felt they were experts at identifying problems and would either set in place a number of programmes aimed at crime prevention, or would respond to a particular crime in the community. "Over a number of years, we have come to realise that to achieve success, it is important for us to identify problems and set about to find solutions, and that we can't do in isolation. We need the community to be involved since they are better suited to identify the concerns they have as they relate to their safety and security. As a result of their input, we receive first-hand information in respect to the issues and concerns that affect that community.'' The programme, Mr. Coxall explained, has established a consultative process within each of the three divisions -- Eastern, Western and Central. "We've now established consultative committees drawn from local people in the community in the Eastern, Western and Central divisions. The names (of the community members involved) were put forward by leading members of the local community. We tried to get a broad blend of people representing different views including youth workers, educators, local activists -- whole ranges of people. We might find that membership of the committees will change.

That is entirely healthy.'' Mr. Coxall said he attended the inaugural meeting of each one of the committees, and proposed objectives for their first year.

"I sensed at the first meetings that the committee members wanted to come to terms with the problems of policing including staffing restraints and local crime problems with emphasis of course, on drugs. I'm sure that the committee members will be able to give a strong idea to local divisional officers on what the concerns are in their particular communities. "I'm very pleased with the enthusiasm both of the committee members and the local Police officers who attend the meetings to open up the Police Service to the community. I wish them well in the future.'' Mr. Lemay added that the opportunity for direct communication was key. "The community members are in a position to advise the Divisional Commander of their concerns who is in a position to respond to needs by shifting priorities or implementing new programmes.'' As a result of the meetings, it might be discovered that one concern, for example the prevalence of drugs, is shared by all committees, he said. "In that instance, it aids us in determining which concerns and issues are affecting all Bermuda.

In many cases, the concerns of the citizens in St. George's will be the concerns of citizens in Somerset. Our focus becomes one of developing strategic action plans to address such problems. Therefore, it is not only an issue of concern for one division but for the entire community.'' The Deputy Commissioner concluded by saying that while the idea is not a new one to Bermuda, the formality of the approach is. "We have now come to realise the importance of formalising groups and seeking advice and guidance from the people we serve -- the people of Bermuda.'' PHOTO Commissioner Colin Coxall Deputy Comm. Jean Jacques Lemay MINI SUPPLEMENT SUP