The Police Reserve Constabulary is looking for new volunteers to help keep the streets of Bermuda safe.

Commandant Eugene Vickers said the part-time force had 138 reserve officers, but had a capacity to take up to 180.

He said with training, equipment and powers equal to those of full-time Police officers, there was no better way for members of the public to give back to the community.

And with a requirement that volunteer officers work a minimum of 113 hours a year, he said it could be a very rewarding second job that not only offered a variety of new skills and training, but also paid a bounty.

Mr. Vickers said: "We (reserve officers) are there to keep the numbers of the force at a certain level.

"We do lots of foot patrol in the summer, particular in Hamilton and St. George's, and Harbour Nights is one of the areas that we control at the moment.

"We notched up 23,500 for last year's hours and we had some outstanding hours from individuals. "One lady has done 1,150, compared to what they have to do, which is 113 hours a year.

"You can see the type of energy we put into this programme. I think it's one of the best organisations a local person or anyone can be part of."

The Reserve Force is 50 percent men and 50 percent women. Volunteers have to undergo 16 weeks training in the evenings.

Mr. Vickers said there was always lots of room for promotion, or even the possibility that reserve officers could become full-time officers.

And female officers are certainly not left behind. This week, Reserve Chief Inspector Sandra Talbot is Bermuda's first ever Commandant - she is acting in the position while Mr. Vickers is away, and both the Reserve Superintendent and Deputy Commandant are off the Island.

The Transport Control Worker, said: "I enjoy every minute of it."

For more information about the Reserve Force, call 299-4442, of Mr. Vickers on 236-0829 from next week.