The Bermuda Police Service will have to continue to bolster its numbers with foreign officers because not enough locals want to do the job.

"Realistically there are struggles and challenges in getting the number of applicants we'd like. We'd like to see more people apply to take up the challenge to be a Police Officer but we are going along," Police Inspector Darrin Simmons said. "We have had to augment our numbers with overseas officers and that need is probably likely to continue in the foreseeable future unless things change dramatically."

Insp. Simmons introduced the media to 11 new recruits as they began their 20-week, eight hour a day Recruit Foundation Course yesterday.

He said it was a worthwhile profession with a good salary but it took the right committed kind of person to be a Police Officer.

Seven woman and four men were in the class including two spouses of Bermudians, including a Canadian and a UK national.

"Joining us on this course are two Immigration Officers which will be taking part in the bulk of the course to assist with some of their development," Insp. Simmons said.

The students were working on First-Aid training to assist any injured persons they may find on the beat. However, classes will also include learning Public Order Training and learning the law.

Insp. Simmons said riot training included dealing with large numbers of people assembling together to prevent possible disturbances from happening.

Despite the gruelling introduction to the Police Service it will be a further three years before the class is confirmed as Constables, he said.

"It's foundation training, and that's an important piece to understand. They have three years until they are confirmed in the rank of Constable," the Insp. said. "This is the foundation, as the name suggests, their foundation training. It will be three years before they are confirmed, or a three year probationary period which is quite long in most jobs."

Police recruit Hannah Brackstone worked at the Health Department before joining the Police Service.

When asked if she was worried about criminals with guns, she said, "I think it be an issue I will have to face, but not yet."

She said being equipped with CS-spray would make her feel more confident but not as much as her bulletproof vest.

"If you walk into becoming a Police Officer thinking you are not going to get hurt that's a bit naive. It's a challenging physical job. So you have to be prepared for that," Ms Brackstone said.

She said the training so far as was intense and kept her on her toes, because it was unpredictable.

"It's been good so far and quite thorough," she said. "I never dreamed of being a Police Officer but I enjoy helping people."

Immigration Officer and former Bermuda Regiment Adjutant Lauren Smith said he too enjoyed the course.

Mr. Smith said Immigration Officers needed to learn the law, as they often had similar powers as Police, during the course of their duties.

In particular, he hoped to pick up some detective skills when having to investigate Immigration matters, for example when needing to search for a person's true identity.