The Police Service has launched a new recruiting campaign aimed at former officers in an attempt to combat the current manpower shortage.

And Acting Shadow Home Affairs Minister John Barritt has said this latest move makes it look like the Police Service is "clutching at straws''.

An advertisement was placed in newspapers this week appealing for the return of any retired officers "who still have an interest in pursuing a Police career'', are under the age of 49, and who are still in good health.

The advertisment added that the Service is currently "going through some exciting changes'' and that its members enjoyed "excellent conditions of service''.

When contacted for comment, a Police spokesman explained: "It has become quite obvious that (former officers) are a source that we can draw upon.'' "An advantage to rehiring former officers is that the costs associated with training them are very low,'' he added.

"Also, experienced officers can act as good tutor constables to some of the younger officers.'' The statement also admitted that the Service had not had as many new recruits as was expected.

Acting Minister of Home Affairs Dame Lois Browne Evans refused to comment on the new initiative, saying the issue would have to wait until Minister Paula Cox, who is off the Island, had finished "mulling over recruiting strategies'' for the Police Service.

But Mr. Barritt said he felt measures to combat the manpower shortage had not been taken quick enough.

"I have been saying for some time now that immediate steps have to be taken,'' he said.

"If, as it seems, they are trying to exhaust every local angle first, then it should have been done a long time ago.'' Mr. Barritt described how he had recently received a phone call from a constituent who phoned for a Police Service response but did not get one due to the lack of manpower.

"This is a real problem,'' he said. "And if this recent initiative was a viable, practical solution to it, then it would have been done ages ago.'' Actiing Shadow Home Affairs minister John Barritt: `Service clutcing at straws'.

Labour & Home Affairs Minister Paula Cox: `Mulling over recruitment strategies.'