public service.

Jonathan Smith revealed yesterday that a great uncle was a member of the House of Assembly, and that his grandfather was killed in action in World War II.

A member of a wealthy old Bermudian family, his brother Tim is the United Bermuda Party Shadow Education Minister.

The Commissioner-designate said yesterday: "There is a tradition of public service in my family. Certain things are set out for you. My inclination is towards public service. There is a history of it, it was a job I undertook in the late 1970s. I was committed then and I've been committed ever since.'' Mr. Smith, who is married with three children, joined the Police in 1979 as a constable in Central uniform. He served for two years in narcotics before moving to CID, then worked in Western CID and the Major Incident Room.

He was marked out as a high flier and in 1995 he took over the Training Department for four years.

During that time, he attended management training courses in Bramshill, England, and Banff, Canada.

The former Warwick Academy student, who holds a management degree from the University of Maryland and a Diploma in Applied Criminology and Policing Studies from Cambridge University, has been seconded to a number of overseas services, including the Metropolitan Police in London.

Lennett "Lennie'' Edwards, Commissioner of Police from 1992-95, yesterday described Mr. Smith as a "a very fine choice''.

Mr. Edwards, who promoted him to Chief Inspector just before his retirement, said: "He is a very smart young man, he has been well grounded and he always responds well when tasks are given. He is a willing learner who has always wanted to be a Policeman, there are no two ways about that.

"He didn't want to just be a Policeman, he always had an eye on gaining momentum up the promotion ladder and it doesn't surprise me that he's come out as the next Commissioner.

"He has tenacity and the mental leadership qualities to lead the force into the 21st century.

`The Police have been through a living hell in the past ten years and gone through several different directions.

"The force is going to be settling down after Mr. Lemay goes and I would appeal to all of Bermuda to give him as much support as he needs because he is going to need help.

"I personally hold very high hopes for him and I think he's going to do a fine job. He has the ability to mould a team and that's what's needed for the future.'' But a Police source who contacted The Royal Gazette described the appointment of Mr. Smith and George Jackson as Deputy Commissioner-designate as "more of the same of what we had. Pink and fluffy.

"People wanted Gertie (Gertrude Barker) because she's got the testicular fortitude, whereas with this lot it's going to be a lot of pussy-footing around.'' Line of duty: From the left at yesterday's Press conference: Governor Thorold Masefield; Jonathan Smith; George Jackson