outrage over the controversial drugs search.

The Prison Officers Association handed a petition to Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan, demanding: An independent investigation into the February 4 search at the Ferry Reach Prison Farm; A bar on similar searches until the outcome of the inquiry; A public apology to the officers' association from Prisons Commissioner Mr. Ed Dyer, and his deputy Mr. Marvin Trott; and A retraction by Social Services Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness over his statement that prison staff morale was not low.

The association asked Sir John to reply within seven days.

Sir John, with Mr. Edness at his side, immediately vowed to look into the prison officers' complaints.

He said prison officers had rights protected by the Bermuda Constitution.

And if there was evidence to suggest these rights had been trampled on he would "cause an investigation to take place''.

He added he had taken note of the petition and would "respond accordingly''.

Opposition leader Mr. Frederick Wade said he hoped Sir John would take prison officers' complaints seriously.

He said the huge turn-out showed the strength of feeling among prison officers.

"I trust Government will correct any ills.'' Yesterday's demonstration followed fury at the way officers at the Prison Farm were searched for drugs.

Policemen with sniffer dogs lined up about 10 Prison officers in a yard last Friday. No drugs were found.

Heading the delegation to Parliament were Prison Officers Association chairman Mr. Russell Richardson, and vice-chairman Mr. Clarence Davis.

More than 100 of the Island's 160 prison officers lined up behind them outside the House of Assembly.

PLP members joining Mr. Wade included Shadow Social Services Minister Mr.

Nelson Bascome, Opposition House leader Mr. Reginald Burrows, Shadow Environment Minister the Rev. Trevor Woolridge, Shadow Education Minister Ms Jennifer Smith, and Sen. Terry Lister.

Mr. Davis read out a protest statement to Sir John.

"We the Prison Officers Association agree that our Prison facilities should be drug free, however we take strong opposition to having our members searched by drug detection sniffer dogs.

"We strongly oppose any search on our members without supporting evidence which suggests a probable cause.

"The events of Friday February 4 1994 at Her Majesty's Prison Farm caused further pain and resentment to our membership who are already at an all time low in morale.

"This event further demonstrates the management style which the members of the Prison Officers Association are continually subjected to.

"In this case the Commissioner of Prisons and his deputy -- top civil servants -- calculated this search, deceived staff to be in attendance and lined them up in public view to conduct this search.

"Is this the type of action we should be subjected to?'' Mr. Davis added the Prison Department had devoted time, money, staff and other resources in preparation for a better future.

It had led to changing the department's name to the Bermuda Department of Corrections.

But Friday's drugs search clashed with the department's declaration that staff were its "greatest asset''.

Mr. Davis concluded: "The Prison Officers Association anticipates that you, the Premier, regard these matters serious enough to ensure that we receive a reply within seven days of receiving this petition.'' Earlier this week Mr. Dyer met with Prison officers and Mr. Edness to discuss the drugs search.

Afterwards, he said: "I personally don't have a serious problem with the way the search was done, though it could have been carried out in a different way.'' He promised future searches would be carried out in a more private way.

Mr. Dyer explained the search was carried out to quell rumours that drugs were being smuggled into Prison by officers.

He was "delighted'' no drugs were found.