A more informal complaints procedure, increased civilianisation of some jobs and a bolstered Police reserves section were some of the highlights of the last year in the Bermuda Police Service.

In a "new look'' annual report that comprises some 61 pages, Police Commissioner Colin Coxall said 1995 was "a significant year'' for the Service because it saw immense changes enacted.

Included among those changes are the alterations to the command structure, the emphasis on community policing and a review of training and buildings as well as civilianisation.

These modifications to the former structure he said have brought about a decrease in the amount of certain types of crime -- motorcycle thefts, housebreaking and handbag snatches -- on the Island.

"I hope this has brought about with it a reduction in the fear of crime in the community and an enhancement of the quality of life within the community,'' he said.

Deputy Commissioner Michael Mylod meanwhile said the Police Service has now placed civilians in 25 posts that were formerly held by serving officers.

As a result, the officers who are now relieved of these duties will be redeployed and placed either in the parish constable scheme or the narcotics department later this month.

Meanwhile he said the Police Service along with the Government Personnel Department, has worked to improve the teaching new recruits receive.

"A major thrust of (the Tumin) report was about the type of training that Police officers receive,'' he explained.

"And we have moved over the last 12 months to make the recruit's training far less mechanistic with far greater emphasis on communication skills and interpersonal skills.'' Similarly he said the Police reserve now numbers 107 and they too are receiving more relevant training than had been offered in the past.

Mr. Mylod said the Police Service has also modified the complaints and discipline system so that more emphasis is placed on the "informal resolution of complaints'' made against members of the Service where appropriate. "Just under 50 percent of the 85 complaints we received in 1995 were resolved in that way which I think is a good result,'' he added.

"We are never complacent about complaints. We seek to identify trends in complaints and we then seek to rectify them in our training courses. Overall it has been a year of steady progress.''