An appeal has gone out in a bid to boost the number of home-grown Police officers serving the Island.

With the Bermuda Police Service expecting an influx of overseas recruits soon, a plea was made at a press conference yesterday for Bermudians to step forward and further bolster the Island?s crime-fighting ranks.

The force is about 44 officers down from operating at full strength, it was confirmed yesterday.

And Insp. Darrin Simons yesterday urged Bermudians to join the force. He said that at least 25 applications had already been received from residents keen to become cops.

He said that for anyone who wanted to see more Bermudians in the service, now was the time to act and tell family members to sign up. Sgt. Fiona Miller, of the recruitment team, said the latest recruitment drive was looking for Bermudians or non-Bermudian spouses of Bermudians. Candidates should be committed to serving the community, be team players and be calm under pressure.

The starting salary for a rookie officer was $50,000 plus benefits. The next 18-week recruitment course is due to start next February. Meanwhile, a Police spokesman yesterday confirmed that a batch of overseas officers were expected on the Island soon.

Anyone interested in signing up for a career in law enforcement should call Sgt. Miller on 299 4304.