The UK expert who warned it could take ten years to prepare a Bermudian Police chief has joined the search to find prime candidates.

Lionel Grundy, Her Majesty's Inspector of Dependent Territories Police, arrived in Bermuda this week to meet several senior officers who have been pencilled in as possibles for the Commissioner's post.

He has already met with new Canadian Commissioner Jean-Jacques Lemay to review the recently-introduced succession plan for Bermudian officers.

And he has begun the process of narrowing down the search for officers capable of filling the Bermuda Police Service's top two jobs.

Several officers have already gone through the first round of extended interviews for promotion to a range of senior ranks.

The second round of interviews is scheduled for next month.

And Mr. Grundy was invited to Bermuda to meet the candidates, identify potential and discuss the possibility of extra training in the UK.

The Governor is constitutionally responsible for the appointment of Bermuda's Police chief.

One UK Government source said: "I can't give details of who we are talking about and what particular ranks they are.

"But we are ultimately talking about preparing people for senior posts, including the Commissioner's position.

"We are looking at where we are going to get the replacements from within the Bermuda Police Service.

"The first round of extended interviews identified that potential and we will be seeking now to develop the careers of those officers.

"You are talking about bringing people through to maximise their potential.

"You can only have one guy at the top anyway and we are talking about advancement to several senior positions.'' Mr. Grundy caused a storm within some Police circles when he criticised certain individuals in a confidential report last year after interviewing 15 senior officers.

He also warned it could take 10 years to prepare a Bermudian Police Commissioner.

Mr. Grundy, when contacted last night, said he could not give an official comment about why he was in Bermuda.

He said: "Any interviews with the press must be arranged through Government House.'' But Deputy Governor Peter Willis said last night: "He's here after the first round of extended interviews and before the second round of extended interviews to see what assistance it may be possible to get from the UK in developing the careers of officers, whose developing needs have now been identified.'' Mr. Lemay was confirmed in the Commissioner's post last month after 18 months on secondment to the force from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Search for local Police chief He was acting Commissioner following Colin Coxall's departure last October and has now been handed a three-year contract -- and a mission brief to help prepare Bermudian officers for the hotseat.

Bermudian Harold Moniz was appointed permanently to the post of Deputy Commissioner last month. And Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police, Supt.

Alan Bissell, is likely to be handed the number three spot on a full-time basis in the near future.

The force's next most senior officers include Supt. Vic Richmond, head of the CID, and Supt. Campbell Simons, who runs Central Division but may be considering retirement.