Police officers living in barracks at the Force headquarters have vowed to put up a fight after receiving eviction notices giving them just one month to find somewhere else to stay.

The Royal Gazette understands that a number of officers were given the notice to leave at the start of the month.

It is believed the Service wants the studio apartments vacant for the new batch of overseas officers due to arrive on the Island from the UK and Caribbean this summer on three-year contracts.

But permanent officers who have been staying at the barracks for some time have questioned the legality of the move, and claim they have the backing of the Bermuda Police Association.

One source said: "Bermuda Police is bringing out a lot of recruits from England and the Caribbean and they have given eviction notices to everyone living in the barracks.

"The Police Association has questioned whether or not the Force can do it, and I think management is in for a fight because the officers do not want to leave.

"Officers have been living there for a variety of reasons, such as the breakdown of the family or a marriage.

"The Deputy Commissioner (George Jackson) lives in the barracks himself, in a three-bedroomed property, but he is not leaving. The officers are saying `why should they?'."

The source said every officer who was not on a temporary contract had been asked to leave the barracks within the next few weeks.

Officers pay $350 rent a month for the studio apartments, and said it could take them a considerable period of time to find somewhere suitable to live when housing in Bermuda was at such a premium.

The source said: "It's going to get really nasty very soon. There has been meetings with the Police Association, and the association believes the issue is in a grey area as to whether the whole process is lawful.

"But the officers won't just back down."

Spokesman for Bermuda Police Service Dwayne Caines would only give a brief comment on the issue to The Royal Gazette.

He said: "The Bermuda Police Service has an obligation under the Conditions of Service Order 2002 to provide housing accommodations for contracted Police officers. Presently, there are a number of officers who are Bermudian or non-contract officers residing in the barracks.

"The Commissioner of Police is seeking to fill his obligation under the Conditions of Service. However, the Service is aiming to minimise the disruption to as many of the barrack room occupants as possible."

No one from the Bermuda Police Association could be reached for comment last night.