race.

A foreign expert may be brought in to give tips on setting up a race relations division of the Human Rights Commission.

Organisations from across the Island will also be urged to put forward their own ideas this summer.

These will include the Chamber of Commerce, the Bermuda Industrial Union, and the Women's Advisory Council.

The race relations division is a key proposal in Judge Stephen Tumim's report on Bermuda's criminal justice system.

This week the Tumim Implementation Committee revealed it was moving full steam ahead on the plan.

Chairman the Hon. Sir John Sharpe said a draft bill would be used as a discussion document over the summer.

"We are well advanced with this recommendation,'' he said.

He added Judge Tumim had also recommended a working party be set up to look at Bermuda's social conditions. This could well overlap with plans for a race relations division.

Community Affairs Minister the Hon. Leonard Gibbons said the Tumim recommendation for such a division was not easily put into effect.

Guidelines, codes of conduct, and procedures had to be laid out.

"We accept we have a lot of work to do in this area, and we will be inviting groups to join us in these discussions.

"We are looking at a wide input and broad based representation.'' Mr. Gibbons said the experience of other jurisdictions was being examined.

"We may get someone with some expertise from overseas to assist us. This person would act as a facilitator.'' The committee also disclosed a preliminary report had been produced on video and tape recording Police interviews of suspects -- another Tumim recommendation.

Said Sir John: "The report says it is entirely feasible, sensible and reasonable that this system should be put into place.

"But we have got to have the equipment for the purposes.'' Sir John said discussions had been held with the Telecommunications Officer on what type of equipment was necessary.

It was considered recording of court cases should be "dovetailed'' with that for Police interviews.

"I would like to think all the pieces will be in place by the next Budget. We can work towards that objective, and I think we can make a great step.'' On Judge Tumim's call for an "independently based procedure'' to be set up for investigating complaints against Police, Sir John said the idea was still being explored.

The committee was scouring overseas for a "model'' which could be adopted here.

But Sir John said independent bodies had not proved very successful overseas.

Procedures tended to be dragged out, he added.

"Though, of course, that does not mean it can't be applied here, and we hope by the end of the summer to have reached some determination on this.'' Sir John went on to say plans were in the pipeline to follow Judge Tumim's recommendation to beef up the system of non-custodial sentences through community service orders.

"What we are looking at is a better and bigger infrastructure.'' He said there would be liaison with organisations where people were sent for community service.

He hoped plans would be finalised by the time of the next Budget.

Mr. Gibbons said moves were also underway to set up a Government bookstore to make official documents, such as laws and reports available to the public.

"We are pressing ahead with this as quickly as possible.'' Mr. Gibbons said it was hoped the bookstore would be in place by the end of the summer.

Mr. Lowdru Robinson, secretary to the implementation committee, said Judge Tumim's call for corrective training to be abolished had brought on a shift in thinking. And a "new framework for action'' had been suggested for dealing with young offenders.

The Civil Service Committee working on this had recommended: "Bermuda's institutional and related services for young offenders be revitalised and reorganised to ensure that young offenders are provided basic opportunities for growth and learning, considering the need to make available a secure environment as part of the process.'' Sir John said he was satisfied with the progress of implementing Judge Tumim's recommendations, although it would take time.

He said he was "pleasantly surprised'' with the response to Judge Tumim's report from the Attorney General's Chamber, the Health and Social Services department, the Police, and the Prison Service.

"All have shown a desire to improve the image and effectiveness of the justice system and are taking it seriously.''