learning their lives in Bermuda are over.

They said one officer had hospital treatment for shock after hearing he had just one working day left.

Another reportedly needed breathing equipment to stop him fainting when he learned he was one of 25 constables whose contracts would not be renewed.

The jobs of two of the men were suddenly saved today after the Hon. Sir John Sharpe, Minister for Delegated Affairs, learned they were married to Bermudian women.

Their contracts will be renewed, he said. But 13 Barbadians and 10 Britons will still lose their jobs.

Axed officers were glad for their two reprieved colleagues. But they pointed out others had Bermudian girlfriends, fiancees and in some cases children.

The foreign officers are all near the end of their initial five-year contracts. They include parish constables and specialists trained in marine work, narcotics and traffic.

The emergency response firearms team is believed to be losing almost a third of its officers.

Some of the victims of the cuts have vowed to take legal action. The officers' anger at their treatment was echoed by the Police Association, which represents most junior officers. Chairman PC Junior Watts demanded an immediate meeting with Commissioner Mr. Lennie Edwards, who has yet to speak out about the cuts.

Six axed Barbadian officers, who asked to stay anonymous, yesterday blasted the Commissioner and the Government over the handling of the decision and the amount of notice given.

They pointed out they were aged about 27 to 32 and had made lifelong commitments to Bermuda.

"These were experienced officers in their respective countries,'' said a group spokesman.

"Some have passed sergeant's exams in Barbados and the UK and in Bermuda, and had believed they had a bright future ahead of them.'' Commissioner Edwards was shunning them, he said.

"He didn't represent us in a proper manner. We feel betrayed. Our jobs were not terminated due to a lack of money but for political expediency. We were terminated to make way for locals.

"We don't have a problem with that but we feel that Bermudianising the force should be done over a greater period of time.'' The cuts would have a "devastating effect'' on the standard of the Force.

"It's not a case of sour grapes, but inasmuch as there is a need for Bermudianisation, they have to bring in people who are fit and qualified.

There are a number already on the job who do not meet that standard.

"Barbadian officers were brought to Bermuda to meet the local force's needs, including offsetting a racial imbalance, and then treated shabbily in the end.'' Alternatives would have been postponing new contracts or deferring the cadet scheme.

The spokesman said human rights organisations will be informed of the incident, as will the Press and the Police in Barbados. And returning officers would do their best to prevent other Barbadians working in Bermuda.

Axed officers have been told they had to take accumulated leave, he said. In at least two cases this had meant officers had only one working day left.

"We're seeking legal advice as to any steps we can take to get our grievances dealt with. This is one decision the Police and the Government will regret.'' An English officer, who also declined to be named, said: "I'm scrambling around trying to get a job back home. I have been a Policeman since I was a 16 and it's all I know.

"When I joined up it was more or less guaranteed that you would stay on.

"All my friends are here. I've made a life here and suddenly they take it away.'' Sir John defended the cuts. "I think in fairness, unhappy as it is, most people will have received in the area of three months notice. It would have been nice to have done it earlier, but they were still looking around to see if there were any more palatable alternatives.

"It's not a political decision, it's an economic decision,'' he said. Cuts were needed, and more Bermudian recruits were available because of fewer alternative jobs. Nineteen would finish basic training in a few months and replace the officers leaving to some extent.