named as the new Assistant Police Commissioner yesterday.

Police Commissioner Jean-Jacques Lemay welcomed Mr. Adams to the executive team, along with two new Superintendents, Sinclair White and Roseanda Jones.

They will each take over their new roles immediately, and each will undergo further training.

At a press briefing also attended by Commissioner Designate Jonathan Smith and Deputy Commissioner George Jackson, Mr. Lemay said he had every confidence in the new management team.

He said Mr. Adams, who has missed out the rank of Superintendent, would take over responsibility for both CID and uniform operations straight away.

Supt White will continue to be responsible for special operations, as he has done for sometime in the role of Acting Superintendent.

Mr. Adams, 51, who has been involved in the majority of murder cases on the Island during his 28 years as a detective, said he still intended to be involved.

But he said he will also be taking a keen interest in the welfare of officers.

He said: "The most valuable asset we have is people, and I think looking after people is very important, and I want to place continued emphasis on that.'' But Mr. Adams, who believes CID should be more centralised rather than fragmented as at present, said he did not know what changes would come about.

Changes to the Police structure are in the pipeline, which the executive team will discuss next month, and may see the force being brought together more closely.

The Royal Gazette broke the news on Monday that Mr. Adams had been recommended for the number three job by the Public Services Commission.

He was not the tipped favourite for the post -- it was expected to go to either Superintendents Vic Richmond or Gertrude Barker, who had acted in that role and the role of Deputy Commissioner for some months, as well as undergoing senior training.

However, during the interview process, they both lost out to Mr. Adams.

At the press briefing yesterday, Mr. Lemay said the superintendents were still very important to the service, despite losing out to someone of a lower rank.

But the Commissioner said it was not unusual for Police officers to jump ranks in the UK and Canada, and now Bermuda.

He said: "I would imagine there is disappointment for both of the superintendents. We have had meetings and I have had discussions with Mr.

Richmond and Ms Barker to explain the process to them.

"I see them as valued members of the team.'' Mr. Lemay said he was not aware of either of them taking legal advice, as reported on VSB on Monday.

But he said a grievance procedure was in place, should either Ms Barker or Mr.

Richmond wish to use it.

And he said as far as he knew Ms Barker was away from work at the moment due to planned holiday leave, and not for any other reason.

Referring to officers skipping ranks, the Commissioner said: "I think in other organisations it's something that is occurring more and more now.

"A precedent has been set already with the promotion of Mr. Smith, who held the rank of Superintendent.

"It sends a message to the Bermuda Police Service that promotions are on merit.'' And he said people had a good chance of being promoted beyond their next rank if they showed they had the capability.