Premier Ewart Brown repeated his demand for control over operational policing just an hour after issuing a joint statement with the Governor which said the two were working closely together.

And yesterday Dr. Brown said he was "pleading" with Government House to establish new policing strategies, ones which Governor Sir Richard Gozney said were already in place.

The first statement, which came from both men said: "We are both anxious to do all that we can to help and to encourage the Bermuda Police Service to combat the shocking rise in gun crime. In fact, we discuss policing in Bermuda together, frequently and intensively."

It added that new amendments to the Police and Criminal Evidence Act would further strengthen Police and that the police budget has been "supported strongly". The statement also pointed to US police officers coming to the island to train the Police in anti-gang and anti-gun strategies.

The joint statement came in the wake of Kumi Harford's murder on Saturday. He was gunned down in a manner Police have called more violent than previous shootings. No one has been arrested thus far.

But an hour later the Premier sent out his own statement which appeared to say the Governor was not doing enough.

He said the Government had "seen the writing on the wall" and had expanded the Mirrors programme to prevent crime before it starts and passed new laws giving the Police greater powers to investigate crimes and bring criminals to justice.

But added: "While we've taken action to address the crime issue, we are not yet satisfied and are calling for more reforms.

"Unfortunately, despite being in Government we are hamstrung in our abilities to act. In spite of the fact that the Bermudian taxpayer pays for our Police service, an unelected Governor has full control over operational policing."

And he said the Government has repeatedly called for reforms such as a greater Police presence in known hot spots, greater community policing to build trust as well as bringing international experts to train Police in ways to reduce gang violence.

"The people of Bermuda expect results," he said. "They're going to hold the people they elected accountable. Bermudians are rightfully outraged by the recent violence and are demanding action. We are taking action.

"We are pleading with Government House to adopt new operational policing strategies.

"And, we are making the case that those who pay the operational policing bill should have a say over operational policing strategies. We are making the case at the Overseas Territories Consultative Committee while we are in London. We believe that policing in Bermuda must be reformed, not more of the same."

At present, Sir Richard has oversight of policing on the Island, with operational control delegated to Commissioner of Police George Jackson.

The arrangement has long been a thorny one, and Dr. Brown has repeatedly called on Government House to cede control of the service.

Last night Sir Richard said the three operational policies the Premier was calling for were already underway. His statement echoed comments from Assistant Commissioner Paul Wright made earlier in the week.

In a press conference in the wake of Mr. Harford's murder the Assistant Commissioner said Operation Safer Streets has resulted in greater Police presence in hot-spot areas — including near St. Monica's Mission Road the night of the murder — and a sharp focus on prolific priority offenders. This has resulted in a 60 percent increase in arrests compared to last year. The Police are also receiving training from the America's FBI in forensic and crime scene investigation skills and will soon be trained by the FBI's Safe Streets Gang Unit on how to thwart gang activity.

Regarding the apparent contradictions between the two statements the Governor said: "There have been some constructive discussions between Government House and Bermuda Ministers in the last couple of months, even though the idea of a regular forum which I have proposed has not, at least yet, been accepted.

"I think that Bermuda Government Ministers broadly support the new initiatives which the Bermuda Police Service have been taking to make use of some overseas wisdom, including from the US

He added: "At the meetings in London the Premier has not repeated his earlier calls for control of Policing to be delegated to the elected Bermuda Government although he has underlined the seriousness of everyone's concern about gun crime."

When asked if the Premier knew about the new operational procedures outlined by the Assistant Commissioner the Governor said they were questions for the Premier.

The Premier's press secretary was asked the same questions; if the two men were indeed working closely together and if the Premier knew about the new operational policies. The Premier's Press Secretary said that while the two men do not meet regularly they "sometimes talk frequently" and "communicate, even when they disagree".

To see their statements in full go to www.theroyalgazette.com