Police constables from abroad will be welcomed by many of the rank and file officers now pounding the beat.

While it goes without saying that adding new Bermudian officers to the Service is preferable to bringing in officers from abroad, the reality is that many Bermudians do not see the Police as a good career choice.

Forcing under-qualified Bermudians, some of whom failed basic training, into uniform -- as has happened recently -- may improve Bermudianisation figures, but it will do little to improve the efficiency of the Service.

Until the Police and the Government can make a better case for Bermudians entering the Service, bringing in non-Bermudians is the only answer. This is not a long-term solution, but the current undermanning of the Service could lead to disaster for the Island.

Already, Police officers are being unreasonably stretched, the number of officers on patrols is shrinking and the Parish constable scheme has been gutted. In the long run, this will lead to less crime prevention, reduced rates of detection and fewer convictions of criminals. A rise in the overall crime rate, coupled with the bad publicity Bermuda is already accruing from the collapse of the Rebecca Middleton murder trial, could be catastrophic for tourism and international business, not to mention the damage it will do to individual Bermuda residents.

Ms Cox should move quickly to fill the gaps, while she works on the longer term goal of making the Police Service more attractive to qualified Bermudians.

OUR HOUSE EDT Our house Fears that His House, a residential treatment facility for male drug addicts, may be forced to close its doors should send alarm bells ringing throughout the community.

While not everyone will agree with the facility's philosophy of combining Christianity with drug rehabilitation, every effort should be made to support any organisation which is having success in reducing drug addiction.

There is probably no family in Bermuda which has not been touched in some way by drugs and it is up to all of us to make some effort to support those in the front line of the fight against drug addiction.

His House's neighbours -- who are apparently behind efforts to have the centre moved -- should think again. Having a rehabilitation centre, particularly one which is having some success, as a neighbour is surely a small price to pay in the war against drugs.

Failing that, all avenues should be explored to find His House a new home.