campaign against the hiring of a British Police Commissioner.

PLP leader Mr. Frederick Wade said last night the idea was being considered.

"It is something we have been encouraged to do.'' Mr. Wade said thousands of people had signed a petition opposing the hiring of Englishman Mr. Colin Coxall as Commissioner.

Yesterday petition signing took place at church services and football games.

"So far we must have nearly 5,000 signatures,'' said Mr. Wade.

A full count of the signatures would be carried out today, and the next step in the campaign considered, he added.

The petition could be handed to Governor Lord Waddington, Government, the Foreign Office -- or all three.

The PLP and others in the community have argued the top Police post should have gone to one of two Bermudian Assistant Commissioners -- Mr. Wayne Perinchief or Mr. Harold Moniz.

But Governor Lord Waddington described Mr. Coxall, Deputy Commissioner of the City of London, as "ideally qualified'' for the post.

In naming Mr. Coxall, he said: "It is now time to stop debating what might have been and look to the future.'' Mr. Wade, however, said the Governor's comment had antagonised people in the community.

It sounded like a teacher telling some children off, said Mr. Wade.

Mr. Wade went on to cast renewed doubt about Mr. Coxall's qualifications for the job.

"We've had reliable information that Mr. Coxall does not have hands-on experience in dealing with the types of crimes we have in Bermuda, such as hand-bag snatching and breaking and entering.'' At a Press conference last week, Mr. Coxall refuted such allegations.

He pointed out he had commanded operations for the Thames Valley Police, and performed duty at the Brixton riots and was present for negotiations in the Libyan Embassy siege.