cancelled due to lack of suitable applicants.

The Royal Gazette learned last night that out of a total of 38 applications processed for the four-month course, only six are ready to be hired.

About 20 of those applicants are still in the testing stages.

However, with an average of only one successful applicant for every six, the service looks unlikely to be able to recruit enough new members to make the course viable.

Insp. Michael DeSilva, who trains new recruits along with a team of staff, said for the last two months the Police had been campaigning for new officers in the hope of running a course from April 23.

But he said for some reason, it had not pulled in the number of interested people needed.

He said: "The response has not been what we had hoped for.

"We have processed 38 applications for the course, but for a number of reasons, either because the applicants have withdrawn or have failed the entrance requirements, we only have six ready to hire.'' He said every year the force lost an average of 35 officers due to retirement or resignations.

To keep the Service replenished, it normally holds two training courses a year, one in spring and one in autumn, each consisting of about 18 recruits.

But this year, it looks as though the spring course may have to be cancelled, and only one course arranged for later in the year, possibly August.

Insp. DeSilva added: "We would like to know what the problem is. We know the economy is fairly buoyant, and there are a lot of jobs out there, and a lot of money to be made.

"We are in the same boat as other employers. There are more kids going off to college, and more people staying abroad, so we have fewer people to draw from.

"We have had to look at the way we do things, and we have been putting recruiting initiatives in place, but they will take time to have some effect.'' But he added: "What I would say is that I think the community needs to accept that this is not a Police problem. It is a community problem.

"If we do not have enough people to train as Police officers, we will have to look at other options, such as recruiting overseas. There has to be a bottom limit that we can operate with.

"I would challenge members of the community that if they want a well-trained, able-bodied and competent Police service then they should consider putting themselves forward.'' Filling the gaps: Page 6