Police manpower problems could be solved by redeployment and more efficient use of existing officers, Public Safety Minister Paula Cox said yesterday.

But the claim sparked fury on the Opposition benches in the House of Assembly.

And Shadow Public Safety Minister Michael Dunkley called for extra officers to be recruited from overseas immediately to strengthen the Island's thin blue line.

Ms Cox told MPs that the force was more than 30 officers below its current established strength of 423 -- although the true number ought to be 443.

But she insisted: "We need a strategic redeployment of the Police Service.

"What we really have to consider -- and it may be a radical concept for those bent on a traditional approach -- is to think if numbers are the answer.'' She added: "We need a redeployment, reallocation and retasking of the existing Parish Constables and personnel to assess the real needs.'' Ms Cox pointed out that the Bermuda Police Service had proportionally three times the number of officers the UK had -- and similar proportions compared to other jurisdictions.

She added: "I hear calls from some quarters about the need to go away overseas and recruit. That reflects the whole thinking -- throwing money at the problem.

"Crime rates have been relatively flat for the last four years -- we need to identify and deal with the social causes of crime, not just increase the numbers of Police.'' Ms Cox added that the Police prosecutors currently allocated to Magistrates' Court were all experienced officers -- but deskbound at present.

She said: "We have Policemen -- good ones -- who are in a desk role and you can't even use that as a training ground for new, young lawyers.

"There are a number of ways you can alleviate what are seen to be shortages.

That's something we must explore before we explore any other options.'' Ms Cox admitted that the Police had to plan ahead and draw up a clear path towards community-based policing -- which was lacking in a 1995 review of the force, but would be addressed in the new core functions review, which would be ready by the end of the year.

She added: "There has been no training in the Service on community policing, no statement of strategy and to have programmes.'' Ms Cox admitted that the relationship between the Police and the community "has not always been a happy one.'' And she said by the 1970s the force had been largely white and expatriate with a tendency towards "compound policing'' She added: "There have been complaints from within the Police Service about barriers, prejudices and factionalism in the Service -- some of the complaints are quite justified.

"It might be that barriers and prejudices are simply made up by malcontents in the organisation..but it really doesn't matter -- there is a perception out there that the Police Service isn't serving the community.'' But Mr. Dunkley said even senior officers admitted there was a shortage of bodies on the beat.

He added that crime in the first quarter of the year was up -- with three stabbings in a 48 hour period only last weekend.

Heated debate over Police lead us somewhere else is certainly not correct -- we need to look at recruiting experienced overseas officers.'' Mr. Dunkley said: "In the past we have brought in Police officers without any duration of contract -- we should change that and bring them in for a defined period of two or three years.'' And he warned that Police morale was suffering because of a row over pay and conditions and a lack of officers.

Mr. Dunkley said: "It's sad that a professional Bermuda Police Service has had to resort to a sick-out. I believe this is the first time this has happened.

"And it never happened under 30 years of UBP rule, it happened under six months of PLP Government.'' Mr. Dunkley said a Police Constable earned less than equivalent ranks in the Prison Service, Customs and Fire Service -- although Police suffered unique job stresses.

And he insisted: "Let's not put the cart in front of the horse -- let's deal with the manpower situation before we deal with community policing.'' Mr. Dunkley said it was long past time for Government to start making good on its promises in its pre-General Election manifesto.

He added: "We have heard a suggestion of free golf for MPs, a new AG with increased salary, suggestion of a Government PR channel, first-class trips, hotel suites instead of rooms, stretch limos instead of town cars and new GP cars. The list goes on but the message is clear.'' And he said: "The time for promises is finished, it's now time for action.'' Mr. Dunkley added: "Action must be taken to alleviate the manpower problems..a cut in Cabinet travel allowance, at first class rates, would certainly have paid for the overseas recruitment of a good number of officers.''