Force.

But women hoping to join the Police will have to put their career plans on hold.

For Commissioner Mr. Lennett (Lennie) Edwards has put a temporary block on women recruits.

Currently, there are 64 women officers in the 412-strong Force.

The freezing of female recruits follows talks between Government and Police.

And it has been approved by the Human Rights Commission, Home Affairs Minister the Hon. Irving Pearman stressed.

"We have to keep a reasonable balance between the number of men and women,'' he said.

"Let's be honest, sometimes Police officers have to deal with very difficult circumstances, and it can come down to a question of size and strength.'' Mr. Pearman also pointed out over the last two years the Police had experienced a higher percentage of women applicants.

The move is part of a string of recruitment policy changes announced yesterday.

Others include: Lifting the age limit for applicants from 35 to 40. The minimum age remains at 19; Relaxing the 5ft 8in height limit for would-be male officers; and Easing the physical fitness requirements; The policy changes -- coming into effect immediately -- will affect recent applicants.

It means those who have been turned down will have their applications reconsidered.

Mr. Pearman said other initiatives were also under way in a bid to strengthen the Force.

These included boosting parish policing -- as proposed in Judge Stephen Tumim's report on Bermuda's criminal justice system.

"We are moving Police officers from static jobs, and putting civilians in their place.

"This way we can get more Policemen out on the beat, and enhance parish policing.

"I believe the community will appreciate what we are doing.'' Mr. Pearman said he had held regular talks with Mr. Edwards amid concern about the strength of the Force.

"I think we are about 30 odd officers short of the full complement.'' Mr. Pearman believed unsociable hours had put people off from joining the Force.

Police spokeswoman Sgt. Roseanda Jones sought to scotch suggestions the temporary freeze on women was discriminatory.

Bermuda had a good record of hiring women officers, she stressed.

Roughly 15 percent of the Force was now made up of women -- this compared favourably with other countries.

"We have now reached our quota of female officers and no further applications will be accepted from females at this time.'' Sgt. Jones said there was always a high turnover of staff within the Force.

It was, therefore, necessary to attract more Bermudian officers.

Presently, there were 249 Bermudians, and 163 expatriates.

Historically, the Force was considered full-strength when it had 489 officers.

"We lose between five and eight percent of officers a year through resignations, and retirements.

"Some people also leave to continue further education.'' Sgt. Jones said although the fitness requirements had been relaxed, this did not mean the floodgates would be open for the fat and unhealthy.

"Previously, applicants had to take a fitness test such as sprinting and going on a two-and-a-half mile run.

"Now all we require is that people be reasonably fit.'' She pointed out, however, recruits would be expected to meet "certain criteria'' of fitness once they have completed a 16-week basic training course.

The course involved gruelling training which would increase fitness.

Sgt. Jones stressed medical and academic requirements would remain the same.

The minimum entry requirement was two GCE O'levels, with one being in English.

"Those who don't have that requirement are required to take a Police entrance examination.'' Sgt. Jones said a recruitment officer would be in touch with applicants recently rejected by the Force.

"Applications are still being accepted for our next basic training course which is due to start in August, hopefully sooner.'' Sgt. Jones believed there were a number of explanations for historical problems in attracting recruits.

"Maybe people believed there were better prospects in the private sector,'' she said.

A ban on officers holding second jobs was also a deterrent.

"This policy was recently changed,'' she stressed.

Sgt. Jones said the Police offered a good -- and well paid -- career.

"There are very attractive medical benefits, including free dental care,'' she explained.

Sgt. Jones said recruits on basic training would receive a constable's wage of just over $32,500 a year.