Employing Bermudian staff remains a priority for the Department of Public Prosecutions with the majority of its employees made up of locals.

The Department has a total of 17 employees — 14 are Bermudian.

Junior Justice Minister Michael Scott spoke in the House of Assembly on Friday during the budget debate and said: "This year has been demanding for the Department of Public Prosecutions. During this period, the department was able to secure one Crown counsel and one pupil barrister. This took place in November 2009 for both positions.

"Moreover, the DPP is currently in the process of recruiting two Crown counsel and one Crown counsel specialist. The Crown counsel position became vacant as a result of a promotion of one Crown counsel to the post of senior Crown counsel. And the second Crown counsel post is vacant as a result of the resignation of a guest worker who returned to Canada.

"The Crown counsel specialist position became vacant as a result of the promotion of a Bermudian to the post of senior Crown counsel specialist."

He continued: "Last year the DPP was in the process of developing two Bermudian Crown counsel in hope that they will take over two vacant Crown counsel posts. I am pleased to say that both individuals were successful in meeting all training objectives and one individual has already been promoted to the post of Crown counsel underfill.

"We are awaiting the approval of His Excellency the Governor for the official promotion of the second individual. With the current shortage of staff, the department experiences an unusual increase in workload, however the challenge to continue to perform we their duties with professionalism and commitment thereby ensuring service at the expected level was met."

Mr. Scott said there are currently 14 attorneys in the DPP who work between Magistrates' Court, Drug Court, Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and the Privy Council.

They also provide legal advice to ministries and departments on offences.

In addition to employing Bermudians, the DPP focuses on training.

The Minister said: "Training continues to be viewed as a high priority for both prosecutors and administrations. The DPP has a mandate to train Bermuda successors for senior positions. This includes the position of the Director of Public Prosecutions."

There are currently six vacant positions within the department.