The public yesterday overwhelmingly backed Police Commissioner Colin Coxall, who sensationally quit the force on Friday.

In a survey carried out by The Royal Gazette on the streets of Hamilton, Bermuda's top Police officer for the last two-and-a-half years was credited with cutting crime and turning the force around.

And most said they regretted his early departure from the Island.

Contract cleaning worker Edward DeSilva, 51, of Devonshire, said Bermuda's Police had needed a new broom.

He added: "As far as I know, he did a great job -- I think he's improved the force a hell of a lot and he should have finished his time.'' And electrician Heath Robinson, 29, of Pembroke, said Coxall's tenure provided a new spark.

Mr. Robinson added: "I think he did an excellent job -- he was a refreshing change.

"His ideas were good, but I don't think they were as widely accepted as they should have been.

"I hope they find a replacement as soon as possible to continue his work and get on with solving the problems we have here.'' Mr. Robinson added: "It would be interesting to find out exactly why he's left.'' And he said he backed recruiting another overseas officer if a Bermudian could not be found for the job.

Mr. Coxall was consistently backed by Home Affairs Minister Quinton Edness through punishing attacks, mostly from Shadow Minister Alex Scott.

But it is understood that Mr. Coxall's resignation came after a series of clashes with Government.

Accountant Ricardo Clarke, 43, of Warwick, said he was sorry to see Mr. Coxall go.

He added that he suspected Mr. Coxall's departure five months ahead of his contract finishing in March next year had something to do with the Irving Pearman affair.

But he said he was not aware of any problems with the Force as it was before the Coxall era -- but added he was "certainly grateful'' for Operation Cleansweep, which targeted alleged street drug dealers in key areas.

Terry Field, 63, of Sandys, a businesswoman and housewife, said: "I thought he was doing an excellent job.

"I felt he had his finger on what was happening and he wasn't afraid of a public outcry. He was prepared to do what he had to do, regardless of the consequences to himself.

"I'm sad to see him go -- I think he will be very hard to replace, irrespective of what nationality replaces him. He has integrity.'' Bank worker Gina Trott of Pembroke said: "He did a good job -- Operation Cleansweep was great. I'm sorry to see him go. They should have let him finish off his time. He improved the Police service while he was here.'' And Julie-Kay Darrell, 50, of Southampton added: "I felt he did a good job.

I've nothing to criticise him for.'' Sen. Milton Scott, Opposition leader in the Senate, however -- not surprisingly -- toed the party line.

He said: "It's unfortunate we didn't keep Wayne Perinchief (axed Assistant Commissioner) and George Rose (ex-Superintendent) because they would have been in a position to take over.'' Mr. Scott added: "Maybe he came and did the job he was supposed to do and then left. We didn't need him in the first place.'' Ricardo Clark Julie-Kay Darrell Edward DeSilva Terry Field Ricardo Clark Julie-Kay Darrell Edward DeSilva Terry Field Heath Robinson Sen. Milton Scott POLICE POL