Deputy Police Commissioner Michael Mylod is to leave the Island six months before his contract expires, it was revealed yesterday.

And his successor will be a non-Bermudian from Britain or a Commonwealth country who will hold the past for 18 months, Government said.

Last night the news provoked an angry reaction from Shadow Home Affairs Minister Alex Scott who accused Government of having no intention of Bermudianising the top Police jobs.

He pledged to raise the matter in the House of Assembly last night -- along with claims that Bermudians were being overlooked for Police promotions.

"Obviously Government has failed in its terms of reference when Mr. Mylod was appointed. A Bermudian was meant to replace him in two years, now we will have to wait even longer,'' said Mr. Scott.

Mr. Mylod will leave in September -- six months before the end of his two year contract. He cited personal reasons for leaving.

His replacement will be appointed for 18 months -- and perhaps longer -- extending the period an overseas officer serves in the Deputy's role.

It was intended that Mr. Mylod would be replaced with a Bermudian after two years and Commissioner Colin Coxall replaced with a Bermudian after his three-year contract expired in 18 months time.

Yesterday Home Affairs Minister Quinton Edness and Governor Lord Waddington issued a joint statement saying Mr. Mylod would be leaving Bermuda early.

The statement said: "Mr. Mylod was appointed for a two-year period with the intention that he should be replaced by a member of the Bermuda Police Service.

"After a detailed examination of the options the Governor and the Minister have concluded that more time will be needed to ensure that a Bermudian successor receives appropriate training and experience to take over this post.

"The Governor and Minister have therefore decided, as an interim measure, to look for an officer from overseas to serve as Deputy Commissioner for 18 months.'' The statement adds: "This period could possibly be extended to provide continuity in the medium term when the future needs of the Bermuda Police Service become clearer.'' Possible candidates will be sought in Britain, Commonwealth countries and the Caribbean.

The Governor and Mr. Edness added in the statement: "The stated policy of Bermudianisation remains unchanged.

"Both the Governor and the Government are determined to see that Bermudian Police Officers are appointed to these two senior posts as soon as practicable.'' However, Mr. Scott added that it now seemed doubtful that Mr. Coxall would leave after his three-year contract expired.

"Is there really a commitment to Bermudianise these two jobs within the forseeable future?'' asked Mr. Scott. "We can see little or no commitment to that end.'' He added: "The PLP has asked over and over again about a successor and nothing has been announced. Now I guess the Commissioner is here for longer than three years.'' Last night Mr. Edness denied that current Assistant Commissioner, Harold Moniz, had been overlooked for the Deputy's job, saying he did not know who would be in that role in the future.

"We are disappointed that we do not have a Bermudian fully trained and up-to-speed to put in Mr. Mylod's place.

"We will have to continue to look overseas for someone to continue in the Deputy's job while we try and train someone to take over.'' Mr. Edness admitted that appointing a successor for 18 months, and perhaps even longer, meant Government recognised it would take longer to have a Bermudian fully trained and ready to take over.

However he added: "When Mr. Coxall and Mr. Mylod were appointed we did not know at that time how long it would take a Bermudian to take over.

"We employed Mr. Coxall and Mr. Mylod for three and two years respectively and we had hoped that during that period we would put in place a Bermudian who could take over as Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner.

"We are still hopeful that we can achieve that -- certainly within a three year time frame. I think we will need the extra 18 months to fully train the new Deputy.'' Mr. Edness added: "We want to have a Bermudian professionally trained so he or she can take over, but it is taking longer than we thought.'' Mylod will leave six months early The search for a replacement for Mr. Mylod has already started, but Mr. Edness paid tribute to the Deputy, who he said had been released from his contract.

"Mr. Mylod has very quickly earned the respect and confidence of the men and women of the Service. He has done an outstanding job and we will miss him.'' Last night Mr. Mylod denied suggestions he and Mr. Coxall did not see eye-to-eye on issues and said he was leaving for personal reasons.

Mr. Mylod said it would be innapropriate to comment on his successor which was a matter for the Governor and Government.

He said he would be leaving for England and retiring from the Police Service completely when he left Bermuda.

"I have discussed it fully with Mr. Coxall who was disappointed when I told him, but he understands the reasons why,'' said Mr. Mylod.

LEAVING -- Michael Mylod