Service may not meet with general support but we believe it is being done in the best interests of Bermuda.

First let us say that we are saddened by the need for Commissioner Lennie Edwards to retire. It is clear that while he was eligible to retire, he planned to stay on and get on with the job. He has given outstanding service to Bermuda and to the Police in one of the most difficult and demanding jobs this Country can give to anyone and has set examples which will last. Lennie Edwards will be a "tough act'' for anyone to follow.

Before people begin to criticise the decision to look outside Bermuda for a Commissioner and a Deputy Commissioner, they should remember that these are difficult times and Bermuda has an unusual crime and drug problem and needs to be well policed.

Politicians have been in agreement recently that Bermuda needs an effective Police Service and that may lead them to conclude that in this emergency, and in an emergency only, the correct steps are being taken.

Unhappily there seems to be a lack of Bermudians at the top of the Police Service even though there are talented officers on their way up. It takes more than talent to be a Commissioner. It also takes long experience and training in administration to run the Service effectively.

We have no doubt that some of the lack of trained officers at the top of the Police Service has been caused by relatively rapid turn-over in Commissioners in recent years. We hope that at the end of the next three years when a Bermudian is again appointed Commissioner it will be someone who will stay in the job long enough to establish a sense of stability. Lennie Edwards was well on his way to doing that which makes his departure all the more unhappy.

Bermudians sometimes forget just how often this tiny Island is asked to produce top talent in every sphere, including business and the Civil Service, from a small pool of people. It is not always possible to dig down in a hurry and come up with a good Bermudian unless you have had the time and the opportunity to train them. In some ways the Police Service was deprived of Bermudian talent because for so many years Bermudians were reluctant to join the Service.

Until Bermudians can be brought along for the top jobs, it is necessary for Bermuda to maintain the effectiveness and the efficiency of the Police. We believe that all Bermudians should agree with that. It seems in this situation that the only way to do so is to look outside Bermuda.

Yesterday's announcement made it clear that while the Governor has constitutional powers where the Police are concerned and has responsibility for appointing a Commissioner and a Deputy Commissioner, the Government has been fully consulted and is in agreement with the decision to look to Britain for the two posts. In any case, in recent years, Governors have delegated many of their Police powers to the Home Affairs Minister.

It is clear to us that there is nothing untoward about this decision. It will probably be criticised but we see it as the best decision for Bermuda and for the Police under the circumstances. The time limits will have to be adhered to and we will have to be certain that Bermudians are brought along for the top jobs. We should also take great care that this situation does not arise in the future.