accused of taking drugs is back to square one after a month's delay.

Shadow Home Affairs Minister Michael Dunkley attacked the Police leadership for being afraid of making difficult decisions.

On Tuesday, The Royal Gazette revealed the Public Service Commission had refused to handle the case of the traffic policeman accused of smoking pot while watching football at White Hill Field, Sandys.

Police are now having to start the probe afresh into the officer, who has been suspended on pay since his arrest on February 14.

The Police Association criticised the initial decision to pass it on to the PSC as usurping the usual process, but other Police officers told The Royal Gazette they feared other officers would be tarred with the same brush.

Yesterday Mr. Dunkley said: "We are very concerned, I think it's buck-passing back and forth.

"Yes I am blaming the Police hierarchy and it has to go right up the top to the Commissioner. It's their officer and they are responsible. "If they couldn't make a decision, then they should have got the information together for whomever was making the decision.

"Someone has got to deal with it in a position of responsibility. Nobody wants to deal with it.

"We're very disappointed at the delay that there is no resolution and we must wait this long for justice to run its course.'' Mr. Dunkley said he was not advocating a rush to judgment but said he feared confidence in the Police could be undermined by inaction. He added: "There is a problem if members of the community feel it's not decided in the same way as if other individuals were in that position.

"I don't know about the facts of this case but there is some concern that it is not being dealt with quickly.

"It's important the Police Service is respected by the community but this throws up shreds of doubt.'' Yesterday Police refused to say when the matter was likely to be concluded.

Commissioner Jean-Jacques Lemay is off the Island.