job, The Royal Gazette can reveal.

The news last night reignited political controversy over the post of finance and administration manager.

"There is a God in heaven!'' exclaimed Shadow Public Safety Minister Alex Scott, who has campaigned for the job to go to a Bermudian.

Now the position -- dubbed "absolutely key'' to the Service -- is being readvertised in Bermuda.

Ads appeared in yesterday's Royal Gazette and other publications.

Last week, Government was rocked after an expatriate ended his three-year contract for the position after just two days.

Byron Rafuse, the first Canadian to work for the Bermuda Police Service, cited "personal reasons''.

The Nova Scotia Justice Department official started on September 9 in his civilian job, working directly under Deputy Commissioner Michael Mylod.

The appointment was one of several civilian management posts created by Police Commissioner Colin Coxall as part of plans to divert officers away from desk jobs into mainstream Police work.

Mr. Rafuse was responsible for matters including financial planning, strategic planning, budgeting and management of resources and administration.

He was also responsible for developing a new computerised financial record-keeping system.

According to yesterday's ads applicants must be "professionally qualified in accounting and be a full member of an internationally recognised professional accounting body''.

A minimum of five years' experience in a position with similar responsibilities is also required.

After announcing Mr. Rafuse's shock departure, Mr. Mylod said the second and third choices for the job -- a Canadian and a Briton -- would now be approached.

"It could take up to two months for the new appointment to be made.'' Yesterday, however, Police spokesman Gary Venning said the two non-Bermudians had made it clear they were "unavailable'' for the job.

"We are now starting the advertising process over again,'' said P.c. Venning.

Mr. Scott said he hoped Bermudians who had originally applied for the position would do so again.

"I also hope there will be new applicants.'' Mr. Scott urged the Police and Public Service Commission to treat the Bermudians as "real candidates''.

"I hope they will look for qualifying features and factors, and not for reasons and circumstances to disqualify them. For that kind of thing happens too frequently.

"If someone has 90 percent of what they're asking for, they shouldn't take the view that that candidate lacks ten percent of the qualifications.'' Mr. Scott continued: "I was talking to someone in the Police Service who said Mr. Coxall's responsibility was to do a good job for the Police department, so he has to hire whoever he thinks can do the job.

"I replied, however, that our job is to put the best Bermudian available in the job.

"That way we won't have these concerns about a Canadian suddenly returning unceremoniously home, and a Canadian and a Briton pulling out.'' Mr. Scott said he was convinced there were suitable Bermudians.

"I am not of the opinion Bermudians are so ill-prepared and without experience that we can't find a candidate qualified.

"I know of people who applied the first time around for the job. And I hope these names will be revisited with a new eye to vetting these candidates.'' Mr. Scott said Bermuda had more than 200 accountants and controllers in the financial industry.

"No one can convince me we can't find someone interested. I think there are important questions that need answering.

"Did any Bermudians make the shortlist when the job was first advertised? Or were they so unsuitable in the eyes of the Public Service Commission that they didn't even make the shortlist?'' Last night Public Safety Minister Quinton Edness said he was unaware that the two non-Bermudians were no longer available for the job.

"That's not the kind of thing a Minister would be kept informed of.'' Last week Mr. Edness stated Mr. Rafuse's shock departure was a blow to Bermuda. And he accused Mr. Scott of trying to make political capital out of the issue.

"Instead of crowing about the Police and their administration problems, let me hear him say something about crime. Then I will take him seriously.'' Mr. Edness also defended Government's record on Bermudianisation.

"We wish to recruit Bermudians, but we need to get a person in place so we can continue our training of Bermudians.''