The Police are to launch a series of new initiatives in the fight against crime.

And, according to acting Commissioner Jean Jacques Lemay, the Service is in perfect shape to continue providing an excellent service.

At a Press conference yesterday, Mr. Lemay dismissed recent suggestions that the force was in disarray following the premature departure of Commissioner Coxall last month.

And he stressed that the revolution brought about by Mr. Coxall will continue.

"A great deal has been written and said about the Bermuda Police Service as a result of the departure of former Commissioner Coxall,'' Mr. Lemay said.

"Some have suggested that crime will increase while others put much of the progress and achievements made under his leadership.

"Let me assure you that that is not the case.

"Commissioner Coxall would be the first to say that the process of change that he brought about could not have happened without the full support of all personnel in the Bermuda Police Service.

"One person alone cannot bring about change. We can say that we have made significant gains and there are several initiatives on the horizon that will dramatically change the Police.

"Much of what we have done is due to the commitment and dedication of the men and women of the Bermuda Police Service and the outside support we have received from the public and the Government. But a great deal of work remains to be done.'' Formal strategies have been devised in eight key areas following recent discussions with senior officers.

The drugs war continues to be the Service's top priority. Fresh initiatives will include an increase in Police presence, with patrols visiting known drug alleys on a daily basis.

And crimes against the elderly, women and children will also be targeted.

In a bid to improve the Police's relationship with Bermuda's youth, officers will work in schools and with parents.

New technology will also play a key role in combating crime. The force hopes to begin the implementation of closed circuit television systems by the end of the financial year and, in a bid to reduce traffic offences, it also plans to increase the number of speed guns in its possession.

Mr. Lemay also said the process of civilianisation will also release many officers to carry out other duties.

He said that he was convinced that cash for the strategy would be made available but he also stressed that, for crime on the Island to fall, the force needed the support of the whole community.

"We realise that the Government is facing constraints but we will have to prioritise the most important areas,'' Mr. Lemay said. "What we have done is indicate where those priorities lie. But community policing is a philosophy that relies on the partnership between the people and their Police.

"Both the Police and the community must work together to identify priorities to solve problems such as crime, the fear of crime, drugs, social disorder and neighbourhood decay.'' Secret Grundy report claims `outrageous': Page 2