The body representing rank-and-file cops has been gagged by Police chiefs, it was claimed yesterday.

For inquiries to the independent Police Association now have to be routed through the Service's media office.

One beat officer with more than a decade on the job told The Royal Gazette that members feared the move would intimidate the Association into toeing the official Police line.

The officer -- who asked not to be named -- said: "The Association is the closest thing we've got to a trade union.

"It's the vehicle we express our opinions through -- but people are going to be a lot more careful what they say now.

"The Press people are there to do a job for the force, not us. I don't trust them to get it right and I know a lot of other people feel the same.

"It's ridiculous -- it's a bit like the Bermuda Industrial Union only being able to make a comment if they put it through the management first.

"The Association is independent, not part of public relations. This is undemocratic and nobody -- no matter what their job is -- should have to put up with that.'' Yesterday, Police spokeswoman Evelyn James Barnett at first insisted there was no ban on the Police Association speaking to the media.

But she appeared to contradict herself by saying that it was force policy that any comment on the Police had to come through the Press office.

She said: "We are not vetting what they say -- we are just asking the Press that they formally make that inquiry to ourselves.'' Ms James Barnett then cut the telephone interview short saying: "I'm busy.'' The Royal Gazette understands that some Police Association members are furious.

It is believed that some would prefer that representatives made no public comments rather than having to go through the force's media middlemen.

Police Association chairman Sgt. Michael DeSilva yesterday called The Royal Gazette after being contacted by Ms James Barnett.

He admitted that Association policy had always been to inform Police Commissioner Colin Coxall of any Press statements "as a matter of courtesy.'' And he confirmed that the current policy of allowing free and direct access to Association officials was to change.

He said: "My understanding is it would be simpler for the media to deal directly with the Press officer who fields questions from the media and places them out to whatever department it is.'' But he insisted: "We have not received some sort of gagging order.'' But Shadow Home Affairs Minister Alex Scott said he shared the officer's fears.

He added: "I certainly would support the concerns about the Association's inability to freely articulate its views.

"I don't think it's in the best interests of the Police service that any impediment should be placed in the way of the Police Association to do that.

"The Association is a free agent -- they want us to believe that when we hear things through the Association we are hearing the officers.

"Well, let them be free and unfettered -- let's hear what they think.''