Bermuda?s Police Commissioner and Minister of Home Affairs have remained tight-lipped over when decisions will be made on the future of four officers on long-term suspensions.

The fact that almost half a million dollars has been paid to the officers since they have been off work was highlighted in Parliament by Shadow Home Affairs Minister Michael Dunkley last month.

In answer to his questions, Randolph Horton, Minister of Labour, Home Affairs and Public Safety, revealed that ?Officer One? ? understood by to be Stuart Crockwell, accused of stealing $35,000 from two men ? has been paid $57,511 since his suspension last February. Det. Ch. Insp. Crockwell, who is the subject of court proceedings, is receiving 66 percent of his regular salary plus a combined allowance.

The Minister revealed that ?Officer Two? ? believed to be narcotics detective Clifford Roberts, suspended in May 2002 amid drugs allegations ? has been paid $147,745 since then.

The third officer, named by sources as narcotics Det. Con. Oneika Wainwright who was said to have been suspended in August 2002 over a drugs allegation ? has been paid $135,555 on three quarters pay.

A fourth officer, understood to be P.c. Anthony Thomas, faced an assault allegation over which his name was cleared last year.understands that he is suspended, however, over an unrelated contractual issue. Minister Horton told the House P.c. Thomas had been handed $106,243 on full pay since his suspension in May 2004.

Former Police Commissioner Jonathan Smith who retired last month had said at that time that he would be working ?very closely? with his successor George Jackson on every outstanding suspension case before he handed over the reins. However, a Police spokesman said last week that Mr. Jackson would be reserving his comments on the matter for the time being as there had been ?Ministerial questions? from Mr. Horton on the issue and he did not wish to pre-empt whatever the Minister planned to say.

Robert Horton, Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Home Affairs said that there were no further Parliamentary questions pending on the issue but that the Minister would not be making any comment either.

?The matter is being progressed,? he added. The silence from both quarters was criticised by Mr. Dunkley, who told : ?When I asked the question I was aware of what I considered to be a ridiculous situation where taxpayers? dollars were being wasted because decisions were not being made.

?I?m disappointed that now the public is well aware of how the Government has squandered money that they will not even comment on it.?