Officer promotions will help prevent an “executive vacuum” in the Bermuda Police Service, the minister in charge of the portfolio said.

Wayne Caines, Minister of National Security, said that advancements would be made this financial year to position younger police officers to gain experience and be groomed for more senior roles.

Mr Caines made the comments during debate on the National Security Budget on Monday.

They came in response to questions from shadow minister Jeff Baron. According to Mr Baron, “two thirds of senior officers” would be up for mandatory retirement in three years.

Mr Baron added: “One half of that pool is up for mandatory retirement in two years or less.”

He asked Mr Caines to provide the “immediate plan” to address the “executive vacuum”.

Mr Baron also asked the minister whether there would be any police cadets recruited this year.

He asked: “How is the Bermuda Police Service in any stage of swelling their ranks when we don’t have a recruit foundation course planned for this year that’s funded, we don’t have a cadet course planned or funded for this year and, through natural attrition, we’re likely to be under 400 officers.”

Mr Caines said that the number of police cadets was capped at 13. He added that new hires would be made as cadets moved up to fill other positions in the police department.