Government overspent on the Police Service by more than $1.7 million last year, it was revealed in Parliament at the weekend.

But the explanation that the figure was not as high as it could have been due to savings on unfilled posts came under fire from the Opposition.

Presenting the “supplementary” budget figures for the Ministry of Public Safety and Housing, MP Wayne Perinchief said $985,000 of the unanticipated expenditure was due to Police overtime caused by a number of serious incidents during 2006.

However, he said the Service actually made savings of $2.5 million last year due to a number of vacancies, which meant the over-budget outlay on overtime was not as high as it could have been. Further unplanned expense last year came in the form of a $576,900 bill for accommodating new officers recruited from overseas because their eventual home — a barrack block at Southside — will not be ready until next month.

A total of $82,000 extra was spent on recruiting 38 new officers from overseas who arrived between November and February, and repairs to Police vehicles cost $102,000 more than expected last year, added Mr. Perinchief.

Shadow Minister for Public Safety Michael Dunkley greeted the budget figures by referring to last year’s crime statistics.

“Not only have we seen an increase in crime, but it’s now costing the taxpayers extra money,” he said. Criticising the explanation that money was saved on vacancies but extra spent on overtime to cover these, he added: “That doesn’t wash with me and I’m sure it doesn’t wash with the people of Bermuda.”

Mr. Dunkley claimed the money spent on housing new officers had been paid for accommodation at the Grotto Bay resort.