has been severely criticised by Puisne Judge Norma Wade and by Attorney General Elliott Mottley as well as Mr. Wilson's defence counsel. For the Police to be criticised by a senior judge and the Attorney General is a significant and important event.

This certainly is not the end of this thoroughly reprehensible and embarrassing matter. The ethical behaviour of the Police Service in Bermuda is generally far superior to a great many other countries and it is vital to Bermuda that that image to be fostered and protected. No-one has ever suggested that there were no problem people in the Police Service but, on the whole, Bermuda has been blessed by a Police Service with integrity if not always with top efficiency.

There were major charges against Mr. Wilson of possessing and handling more than $50,000 worth of the hard drug heroin with intent to supply. Any reasonable person would have thought that the investigating Police officers would have taken extra care with such an important case. What actually went on has elements of comedy. After all, this was not a charge of simple possession of a small amount of marijuana.

Because of Police bungling, the case was dismissed during the trial when Mrs.

Justice Wade instructed the jury to find not guilty verdicts on all counts. In our view of the circumstances, Mrs. Justice Wade was absolutely correct. There was no other course she could take and her action is supported by the prosecutor, in this case Attorney General Mottley himself, who has called the Police work "sloppy'', and added that there is no excuse for the Police conduct in this case.

This kind of embarrassment reflects on the entire Police Service and it could not have come at a worse time. Bermuda is getting serious about the "War on Drugs'' and bungling a major drugs case will only make future prosecutions more difficult.

The woman Police officer involved in the case has now resigned from the Police Service, apparently to protect her own integrity, and Deputy Commissioner Jean Jacques Lemay has been quoted as saying that the Police will make public the results of their internal investigation, with one crucial exception. That investigation surrounds what appears to have been an attempt by the investigating officer to get the woman officer to change her witness statement. However, the Police do not intend to reveal what action, if any, will be taken against the chief investigating officer.

We think it is vital that this investigation should be made public to put people's fears and suspicions to rest. Justice must be seen to be done for the protection of the Police Service.

At this stage of the restructuring of the Police, we believe that it would be much more sensible to appoint an outside investigator. The public has never been entirely happy with the Police investigating themselves. Internal investigations always create an element of suspicion. It is imperative right now for the Police Service to be seen to be open.

This investigation should be carried out by Sir John Sharpe or former Speaker of the House John Barritt or someone of similar integrity.