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Acting United Bermuda Party leader Michael Dunkley has issued the call following a spate of violent crimes in recent months.

Since April one man has been killed and four others injured in a series of incidents involving firearms, while there has also been a number of high-profile beatings. Rival gangs are believed to be behind the shootings.

So far police have failed to make any arrests in connection with the shootings.

Yesterday Mr. Dunkley said it was essential for the Bermuda Police Service to utilise every resource at its disposal, including calling in the Regiment for back-up if necessary.

And he pointed out that the ranks of the Service were depleted at a time when they needed to be above strength in order to deal with the heavier-than-usual workload.

Earlier this week, Government confirmed that an additional 41 recruits were needed to bring the force up to its full establishment of 469 officers.

"Everyone is aware that there are manpower issues within the Bermuda Police Service and I think it would be prudent to look at the effectiveness of how they utilise their resources," Mr. Dunkley said.

"I believe in the full use of the Reserve Police and also the Bermuda Regiment in certain circumstances."

Mr. Dunkley agreed that while the number of officers in the force might appear high, the shift system and leave allocation meant that staffing levels were continually undermined.

He pointed out that, while police did an excellent job of covering regular potential trouble spots ? with a strong presence around Hamilton's nightclubs and bars during the weekends ? they were often caught out when incidents took place "off the beaten path".

He also pointed out that many officers were put on guard duty at certain public buildings such as the House of Assembly, Cabinet and the US Consulate ? duties that he suggested could be carried out by security firms.

"Security guards are trained to do that type of work and that in turn would free up more officers to do the job they're trained to do," he said.

Police Commissioner George Jackson and Public Safety Minister Randy Horton both failed to respond to questions put by this newspaper by press time last night.

But Regiment Commander William White said he believed embodying the military force would be a "drastic" measure.

"The decision is one for the Governor to think through with the Police Commissioner and the Minister and I'm sure they've done that," Lt. Col. White said.

"But I don't necessarily believe that embodying the Regiment would send out the right signal ? it's such an extreme measure and suggests that we have reached such a breakdown that the Police can't handle it.

"I don't think the public are in favour of seeing armed officers on the streets and until the public weigh in more heavily, that's the way it's going to stay."

Col. White added that the public had a major role to play in bringing the perpetrators of recent shootings to justice.

"You can't deny the fact that people have witnessed many of these events but are reluctant to perform their civic duty."