launched.

It is part of Government's campaign to get more locals to take an interest in law and order, and will form part of an overall scheme including the newly revitalised cadet programme.

Home Affairs Minister Paula Cox announced the move, saying it would be a "high powered recruitment initiative''.

She said Government was committed to attracting suitably qualified Bermudians to serve in the force and considerable accent would be placed on the cadet scheme.

The promotion, which the Minister said was very "special'' will be launched in the next couple of days.

Later, Hamilton East MP Derrick Burgess said the current selection procedure for the Police was set by foreigners and based on other countries, with a ratio of initial applicants to eventual recruits of 20 to one.

He suggested that may not be right for Bermuda.

"I am glad we are training Bermudians for our Police force, (but) we have Police standards set by foreigners -- we have to set our own standards,'' he said.

Funding for the Police and in particular new facilities was given priority in the Budget, with millions going on new buildings and services.

Pembroke West Central MP Wayne Perinchief said the new cadet scheme would be an extremely good vehicle for training new officers.

But he said there would be a clause that meant that at the end of training, those who didn't sign a contract to become an officer would have to pay back an appropriate amount to help train another recruit.