with a plea for submissions by the public from the top judge in charge of the inquiry.

Commission of Inquiry chairman Telford Georges said: "We would wish to make it clear that the Commission will consider submissions sent in during the course of its sittings.

"While we would prefer written submissions, we are willing to hear persons who merely wish to appear to testify.

"In that case, however, the person should contact the Secretary and Counsel to the Commission and arrange an interview with him to outline the salient facts of the proposed submission before an appointment for a hearing before the Commission may be made.'' Mr. Georges added: "We are very dependent on members of the public to tell us what they know -- but we are very anxious that the information is relevant.

And he said that the terms of reference for the inquiry were specific and that the Commission could not stray for them.

He added: "We do not wish a roving inquiry into the Police force.'' Mr. Georges said: "Persons who submit written submissions may be asked to appear before the Commission for further examination on their submission.'' Mr. Georges -- a former Bermuda Court of Appeal judge -- was speaking as the three-man Commission, which also includes Her Majesty's Inspector of Dependent Territories Police Lionel Grundy and retired Cabinet Secretary Kenneth Richardson, formally convened at Cathedral Hall, Hamilton, yesterday. Evidence is expected to take up at least a week.

And he outlined the three-pronged terms under which the Commission will sit.

The Commission will probe "the policies, procedures and practices of the narcotics department of the Bermuda Police force'' with particular reference to the recent trial of Ellsworth Wilson, who was cleared of drugs charges.

Probe into drugs squad launched workings of the drugs squad and to make recommendations arising from the evidence presented to the Commission.

The inquiry was ordered by Governor Thorold Masefield under an Act of Parliament dating from 1935. The probe was announced last month by Labour and Home Affairs Minister Quinton Edness and was prompted by events surrounding the earlier acquittal of Mr. Wilson.

The case against Mr. Wilson collapsed after whistle-blowing Det. Cons. Lendrea Davis claimed she had been pressured by other officers to change her written statements to match those of other officers involved in the investigation. Ms Davis is expected to appear before the inquiry.

Supreme Court judge Norma Wade directed the jury to return formal not guilty verdicts on the charges against Mr. Ellsworth, ruling the continuity of evidence had not been maintained.

No-one from the Police Association could be contacted for comment yesterday -- but it is understood that legal counsel will be retained to represent officers involved in the Wilson case.

Mr. Georges said yesterday: "Since the terms of reference require us to investigate the circumstances and events occurring in connection with the prosecution of Mr. Ellsworth Wilson, it seems predictable that the police officers engaged in that investigation may in the terms of the Act be considered persons who are likely to be implicated in the conduct of the inquiry.

"They would consequently be entitled, if they wished, to be represented by counsel before us -- at their own expense.'' Counsel to the Commission, barrister Kim White, will question witnesses called before the Commission unless they have their own legal representation, in which case evidence will be led by their own lawyer.

But other counsel appearing may examine witnesses after that and the Commissioners may also ask questions.