gone into service.

The 21-inch extendable metal truncheon will now replace old 61-inch wooden baton now issued to officers.

And the first graduates of an intensive training course have now been given the new batons.

Sergeant Peter Morgan of the Police specialist operations department stressed the new baton was defensive not offensive.

And he said: "The training not only includes the various strikes you can use with the baton but -- more importantly -- the use of force theory and when to use the baton.'' And he said officers would only be issued with the new batons if they passed the course, which includes a written test. It is estimated it could take six months before all officers are fully trained.

Sgt. Morgan added: "The last resort is the use of the baton and the goal is to control the subject, not to injure him.'' The new truncheons are only seven inches long when collapsed and can be held in an officer's hand -- ready for use, but not a provocation to escalating trouble.

Metropolitan Police Chief Inspector Patrick McRory, who is heading up the force's training division while Ch. Insp. Jonathan Smith is on an exchange with his force, said: "It's not an overt display of force -- but it's something which is there and available.'' TRAINING FOR TROUBLE -- Bermuda Police officers train with the new-style ASP truncheon, which made it debut on the streets last week.