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Coxall makes final public appearance

Police Commissioner Colin Coxall yesterday made his last public appearance as Bermuda's top cop.Kicking off Police Week, Mr. Coxall told worshippers at the Anglican Cathedral in Hamilton:

Police Commissioner Colin Coxall yesterday made his last public appearance as Bermuda's top cop.

Kicking off Police Week, Mr. Coxall told worshippers at the Anglican Cathedral in Hamilton: "This is my final public duty as Commissioner of Police after 37 years of policing and 12 years as a chief officer of Police. I commend our Police Service to you, its community. Treat it well as it is a vastly important aspect of the community's stability.'' Mr. Coxall -- who got a round of applause after he finished -- was speaking at a special thanksgiving service for the Bermuda Police, the prelude to a week-long public relations drive by the force. He told the congregation: "Life has not been easy for us. The hours are long, the work is hard -- and yet these men and women stand committed to do service to God and to you.'' And he added: "The Police Service which ultimately wins the respect of the community is that which refuses to dance to the music of expediency but stays true to God's enduring principles and standards.'' Among the congregation were Governor Thorold Masefield and Premier Pamela Gordon. Sen. Yvette Swan stood in for Labour and Home Affairs Minister Quinton Edness, who is off the Island.

After the service, Mr. Coxall said: "It was a very well-attended service and I was immensely pleased with it.

"I think we have made significant steps towards uniting the community and the Bermuda Police service and I hope that continues.'' Bermuda Police chaplain Rev. Andrew Doughty said he had spoken to a class of raw recruits and asked who they did not trust. He said they came up with the clergy, politicians and lawyers.

He added he had told them they must trust -- particularly each other as Police officers "if they want to serve Bermuda effectively.'' And he said: "One of the things we most need in our society today is people we can trust....people at the heart of our community. That is how it ought to be, how it can be and how it will be.'' Rev. Doughty said: "No-one is going to be given trust as a right. We must show ourselves worthy of it by our conduct....by acting responsibly with truth and integrity in public and in private.''