would be Bermuda's gain if Acting Police Commissioner Jean-Jacques Lemay was confirmed in the top job.

And he added that Mr. Lemay in the top job would strengthen links between the Mounties and the Island force even more.

RCMP Commissioner Philip Murray said: "It's certainly not my decision to make -- but I understand these deliberations are going on.

"From my point of view, Jacques is a superb officer. That's why I sent him here in the first place.'' Mr. Lemay -- unlike top UK officers who have come to Bermuda in recent years -- was seconded from the RCMP for 18 months, not employed on a contract basis.

But he took over the Acting Commissioner's role after then-Commissioner Colin Coxall quit the job early in October last year.

Mr. Murray said: "Jacques has performed very well in Canada, as well as overseas, like in Haiti and a stint with Interpol in France.'' He added: "If this was to come to pass, I would say that it would be our loss and Bermuda's gain as a community.

"It's always been my impression he is a highly dedicated and professional officer who would serve well wherever he was.

"I have uses for him in Canada -- but if the Commissioner's job was to come to pass, I would be more than happy to see him stay on.'' Mr. Murray added that a Mountie earning the top job in Bermuda would be a feather in the Mounties' distinctive headgear.

He said: "One of the things we always pride ourselves on is our international commitments. Whenever there is a need and we can help, we are more than willing to do so.

"If it works out, we would be honoured to have one of ours chosen to be the Commissioner of Police in Bermuda.'' Mr. Murray said that Island officers already attended courses in Canada and the force had used the Mounties' top-class forensic labs for Bermuda cases.

He added: "There has been a long-standing, very positive relationship between our two countries. I would certainly hope that would continue if Jacques is appointed Commissioner.'' Murray supports Lemay Mr. Murray -- a 36-year veteran of one of the world's most famous Police forces -- is on the Island on a semi-official visit at the invitation of Mr.

Lemay.

He runs a 25,000-strong workforce of officers and civilians stationed all over Canada from the Mounties' Ottawa headquarters.

Mr. Murray -- appointed to Canada's top Police post four years ago -- said he had been able to take a look at some of the Bermuda force's community and youth programmes while on the Island, including the Police-run Outward Bound adventure training course and the REACH programme for schools.

He added: "I was quite impressed with these programmes and initiatives -- they seem to be going quite well.'' Mr. Murray said that he had also met senior officers to discuss policing problems.

He added: "I'm given to understand, although I wasn't here to look at the Police Service as such, that narcotics are a big problem here.

"That's why it's so important that the service here put the focus on the youth before they turn to drugs as an alternative.

"That's what we are attempting to do in our own Country -- we try to turn young people away from the use of drugs.'' Mr. Murray said he was pleased to see a new drive towards community policing on the Island, coupled with a well thought-out service strategy.

He added: "It strikes me its important to have the right philosophical approach to developing the service.

"And it's really important to have the right approach to people, internally and externally -- policing is so much about people.

"The more any police organisation is community-orientated, the more professional it's going to become. From my point of view, community policing is the way things should continue to evolve.

"But you can never say you've got it fixed. Communities are evolving and problems are changing and you have always got to be sensitive to that.'' Mr. Murray added no Police service is an island -- and it was important to look outwards to pick up fresh ideas.

He said: "It's important for organisations to look for best practices -- look beyond their own horizons for new, different and better ways to do things so they can pick and choose what works best in their community.'' Philip Murray Graphic file name: MURRACAN