policing that was the real story at the annual convention of black police associations held in Toronto.

And Bermuda's Michelle Simons was working extensively behind the scenes and even at the podium at the first International Symposium on People of Colour in the Criminal Justice System.

Sgt. Simons, currently in charge of the Bermuda Police Service's Complaints and Discipline Department, represented the Association of Black Law Enforcers Association.

The BLEA was represented by six local participants in the conference. OJ Simpson defence lawyer Johnnie Cochrane was the keynote speaker.

It was started in 1996 and is affiliated with the US National Black Police Association.

Sgt. Simons spoke to Police officers from across the United States, Canada, and the UK on the topic "Supervisors and Managers: People of Colour, the Young and Women''.

"I've been attending the NBPA convention since 1993,'' Sgt. Simons said. "In 1996 I attended the conference in Detroit, Michigan and it was decided there that it would expand to have an international conference in the year 2000.

"Yes, there is a need for an association of black officers in Bermuda,'' she continued. "The issues are not all the same compared to the Americans but we do have issues we need to address. In the workshop I gave, one saw that everybody seems to have the same problems and what it comes down to dealing with women and children.

"For example we learned the most appropriate is that you operate with a professional attitude, and set standards, and work by the book,'' Sgt. Simons explained.

"I see the BLEA as being a help to officers in airing their concerns,'' she explained. "Once they can come to grips with how they see things then maybe they can go out and deal with issues in the Police departments.'' Sgt. Simons said she saw her role in the Complaints and Discipline department as complimentary to her interest in community policing black officers and female officers.

She explained: "You can't expect Police to be treated properly in the street if they are not being treated properly at home. We need to get away from the old mentalities and begin treating people with respect, regardless of their colour.'' Membership in the BLEA is open not only to Police Officers but anyone in law enforcement, including prison officers, customs, probation officers and even lawyers.