the end of his contract, The Royal Gazette can reveal.

Bermuda's top Police officer submitted his resignation to Governor Thorold Masefield last night. His last working day will be October 31. surrounded the shock resignation, with top Government figures reluctant to discuss Mr.

Coxall's move.

The Commissioner, when contacted said: "I do not wish to reply.'' Deputy Governor Peter Willis said: "No letter of resignation has been received here. If one arrives, it's arrived.'' Premier Pamela Gordon, through her secretary Veronica Hinds, referred inquiries to Public Safety Minister Quinton Edness.

And Mr. Edness would only say: "Mr. Coxall's contract is due to end in March of next year.

"There are discussions taking place about the leadership of the Police Force.

But nothing is conclusive. When it is, the results will be made public.'' The Royal Gazette , however, understands Mr. Coxall's decision comes at the end of a series of clashes with Government.

It is understood that Deputy Commissioner Jean-Jacques Lemay would take over as Acting Commissioner and -- while Mr. Lemay would be in the running for the permanent job -- overseas candidates would be sought.

But last night front-line officers were stunned by the news of Mr. Coxall's departure.

One Bermudian Policeman with more than a decade of service said: "It's a big blow to the force -- Mr. Coxall has been the best thing to happen to the Police for years.

"Crime is down and morale is up -- but some people don't seem to see the value of that.

"When Mr. Coxall came, the force was nothing short of a disaster area and he almost single-handedly turned it around.'' And he added: "If you want my opinion, he's probably sick of the abuse and being used as a political football -- and I don't blame him for that. But it's bad news for us.

"I'm Bermudian -- and I don't care where people come from as long as they know how to do their jobs. Most people think the same, no matter what somebody else says.'' Mr. Coxall's appointment was announced by then-Governor Lord Waddington more than two-and-a-half years ago in January 1995.

The news sparked a storm of protest from the Opposition Progressive Labour Party, who organised a petition against the move.

Mr. Coxall, 57 -- an honours graduate in law from King's College, University of London -- came to Bermuda from the Assistant Commissioner's job in the City of London Police, a post he had held for six years.

Commissioner Coxall hands in his resignation "Most people think the same, no matter what somebody else says.'' Mr. Coxall's appointment was announced by then-Governor Lord Waddington more than two-and-a-half years ago in January 1995. Then-deputy Michael Mylod -- who also quit early for personal reasons -- was appointed shortly afterwards.

The news sparked a storm of protest from the Opposition Progressive Labour Party, who organised a petition against the move.

Mr. Coxall, 57 -- an honours graduate in law from King's College, University of London -- came to Bermuda from the Assistant Commissioner's job in the City of London Police, a post he had held for six years.

While with the City of London force, more than twice the size of its Bermudian counterpart and with an annual budget three years ago of $60 million, he completed a review designed to improve its "structure organisation and management''.

Mr. Coxall began his Police career in 1959 with London's Metropolitan Police, rising to the rank of Detective Chief Superintendent.

While with the Met, he led major inquiries in the UK, US, Canada and Europe.

He also saw service in the organised crime unit and the drugs squad.

Mr. Coxall also helped deal with major riots in the Brixton area of London and was part of the negotiating team during the 1980s siege of the Libyan Embassy in London.

He later served as Assistant Chief Constable with the Thames Valley Police and as Assistant Inspector of Constabulary at the Home Office.

He and then-deputy Michael Mylod were appointed following a recommendation by Her Majesty's Inspector of Dependent Territories Police Forces Lionel Grundy in 1994.

The report was never made public -- but it is understood it contained damning criticism of the way the force was run.

But Mr. Coxall's Island career was marked by controversy from day one, led by the PLP.

A petition protesting against his appointment were organised and the party -- particularly Shadow Labour and Home Affairs Minister Alex Scott -- kept up constant sniping, despite a huge fall in crime, reorganisation of the force and the re-equipping of officers with more up-to-date equipment.

Mr. Coxall later received death threats amid a row over the axing of Assistant Commissioner Wayne Perinchief and Superintendent George Rose as part of a streamlining campaign.

Among his other achievements were a civilianisation programme to cut costs and release officers for on-the-street duties, the drawing up of a long-term force strategy and the revitalisation of the force's Police Reserve.

The strategy stressed the need to commit massive resources to training officers left years behind modern methods, underlined the need for community-based policing, better crime prevention and a crackdown on crime -- especially drugs.

Since Mr. Grundy's report, crime in Bermuda has been cut almost in half -- with credit being given to Mr. Coxall's hi-tech and new-style approach.

But Mr. Coxall drew fire over his role in the Irving Pearman affair, where Government's Environment Minister was caught up in the drugs-busting Operation Cleansweep.

Mr. Pearman denied any involvement in drugs and is set to take legal action over allegations made against him. The legal action may include the Bermuda Police.

And a forthcoming report of a special Commission of Inquiry, which concluded hearing evidence a week ago, is likely to be critical of the running of the force's drugs squad.