turn them in for the good of the community.

He has been quoted as saying, "I'm absolutely outraged about this -- it's something the entire Country should be very concerned about.'' The attack early on Saturday morning left the two constables, one male and one female, hospitalised although they have now been released.

"In any community to have something like this happen is not something to be taken lightly.'' We agree with Mr. Edness that the entire Country should be concerned and that an attack of this kind on two officers who were doing their duty must not be taken lightly. Too often whenever the Police appear, even in response to emergencies, the first reaction of bystanders is violence toward the officers.

Bermuda has to get to a position of respect for the Police and understanding that they have a job to do for the benefit of everyone. Responding to calls for help is not an act of aggression on the part of the Police but a response to the call of duty.

However politicians have to understand that it is difficult to develop such respect as long as the fabric of the Police Service itself is under attack.

For a very long time now the Police Sevice has been undermined by politics, first by the Progressive Labour Party and more recently by Mr. Edness and his United Bermuda Party.

The Police should and must be above politics. They must be free and unfettered to do their job within the confines of the law and their duty.

Right now they are kicked like a political football and is it any wonder that rowdy members of the public take a lead from the politicians and do the same thing? They think the politicians have given them tacit permission to do so.

It is time for someone, probably the Governor, to read the Bermuda Constitution and rescue the Police from the politicians. Mr. Edness says the people who attacked the Police officers should be "absolutely ashamed of themselves''. Perhaps that shoe also fits Mr. Edness and the PLP's Alex Scott.

Make no mistake, only the criminals are celebrating the going of Commissioner Colin Coxall and Mr. Edness should have thought about that before he said as he now admits, "Coxall goes or I go.'' Mr. Edness has said, "No community is safe if you are going to allow Police officers to be attacked like this.'' He is absolutely correct but no community is safe if politicians are going to attack the very functioning of the Police Service.