A Police officer is under investigation for allegedly using a Police computer to download pornographic material.

The Bermuda Police Service had little official comment when contacted about the report first aired on Bermuda Broadcasting Company's evening news.

The officer, believed to be a Constable on a work permit, was reportedly discovered with a quantity of printed pornographic images of children he had downloaded from the Internet using a Police computer.

"An investigation is underway into the inappropriate use of a Police computer and an officer is assisting with that investigation," said spokesperson Robin Simmons.

He could not say whether the Police Service had a formal policy on the use of the Internet. There are no laws in Bermuda against downloading any kind of pornography from the Internet, unlike in Britain where it carries a prison term.

But downloaded material which is then printed would probably qualify as obscene under the Obscene Publications Act and be subject to prosecution.

Government is considering reviewing the law as it relates to pornography on the Internet, and is looking at treating child pornography even more seriously under a new Child Protection Act, according to a Green Paper on e-commerce.