Police are recruiting in Jamaica in a bid to boost the under-staffed service, offering experienced officers a $56,000 annual salary.

According to the Jamaican press, a newspaper advertisement this week offered five year contracts to members of the local force. Home Affairs Minister Randy Horton told the House of Assembly last Friday Government was concerned that the Police Service is some 40 officers below full strength. He said this was ?a circumstance that does cause operational difficulties in some areas.?

Mr. Horton said a recruitment drive was underway both locally and overseas, and Minister of Works and Engineering David Burch had promised to accelerate the renovation of the Police barracks at Southside in order to accommodate up to 60 foreign officers.

Police spokesman Dwayne Caines declined to comment on Mr. Horton?s remarks. However, he confirmed that a recruitment campaign was underway in Jamaica alongside a campaign within Bermuda. Mr. Caines said the service had been recruiting in the Caribbean for the last three to five years.