stood accused of being out of touch with the Police.

His Opposition counterpart Mr. Alex Scott went on the offensive, accusing Mr.

Edness of claiming morale in the Police was high.

"The Minister is not in touch with the men and women in the ranks,'' said Mr.

Scott, adding discontent ran through the Service.

Mr. Scott also took a swipe at Police Commissioner Mr. Colin Coxall for allegedly spending Police funds on consultants.

Last night, however, Mr. Edness struck back fiercely.

He denied stating Police morale was high following recent changes within the Service.

In fact, he pointed out, an article in Monday's Royal Gazette quoted him as saying: "I believe this progress is having a good effect on the morale of the Service.

"The younger officers, in particular, are finding it a more exciting place to work than ever before, and are responding to the changes being made very well.'' Yesterday he added: "This Country has a problem with drugs and crime, and we have a problem with an increase in violent crime.

"We are trying to restructure the Police service to deal with this, and the other thing we have to do is be first-class in the prevention of drugs getting into the Island, and dealing with culprits.

"And to achieve this you need a first-class Police Service. I would have thought we had reached a point where we could tackle this in a bipartisan way.

"Mr. Scott has not got that message. He should rethink his tactics and back his leader Mr. Frederick Wade who has voiced support for what we are trying to achieve in the Police Service.'' In his attack, Mr. Scott said he received daily complaints from Policemen about the Service.

"Morale is high! Where? Certainly not among senior officers who all must consider retirement.

"Certainly not among parish constables who hear that their numbers are supposed to increase, while they have been, in fact, placed in smaller offices; or certainly not among those officers that are performing extra-duty at the Baselands for a scale that is way below the established pay rate.'' Mr. Scott also alleged: Officers of more than seven years experience were being made to buy bulletproof, stab-resistant vests -- something denied by Mr. Edness; The same officers were having to pay Customs duty for these vests when returning to Bermuda; The Ministry of Finance had shown no support or sympathy after being approached about refunding or waiving the duty; and Mr. Coxall's suggestion vests were available to officers amounted to two vests per station, when at any given point in time there were scores of Policemen on the beat.

"While funds of the Police Force are apparently being used to retain consultants for the new Police Commissioner, currently, how much is being expended for the protection of the officers on the front line in the much heralded war against crime and drugs,'' said Mr. Scott.

He added he had heard a consultant/writer had been retained to help Mr.

Coxall's "strategy plan'', and another had been hired for one year to advise him.

Mr. Scott said Mr. Edness could "better serve the community'' by ensuring Mr.

Coxall placed a greater urgency on the redeployment of officers to the beat -- rather than six Policemen per year, as set out in his plan.

"In that way residents and businessmen alike would see a greater Police presence in their neighbourhoods and benefit from this method of community policing which the Commissioner has promised but not yet delivered.'' In a point-by-point response, Mr. Edness agreed parish constables had been moved to a smaller office.

"The Commissioner feels people whose job keeps them out in the parishes most of the time they are working don't need large offices.'' Mr. Edness continued by saying Police went on duty at the US Naval Air Station for one month, from September 1-October 1, until a civilian firm could take over.

"The arrangement, which was made and agreed by the Police Association, was that Policemen could work there only in their off-duty hours and only if they volunteered to do so.

"They were paid a rate of $16 an hour, or the same as they get as PCs. This scheme ended, as arranged, on October 1.'' On consultants, Mr. Edness said a former colleague of Mr. Coxall's did come out to Bermuda to help him with some "number crunching'' over the Police strategy.

"His air ticket was paid for, but otherwise there was no charge to the Government or the Police.'' He added: "Government's Department of Management Services has been asked to give some assistance translating the Commissioner' Strategies into action plans.

"They were unable to provide some of the advice asked for and themselves hired Peat Marwick to assist.

War of words over Police "One Police specialist from that firm's English office was here for one week, not one year, although he will be continuing his work outside Bermuda for a time. The cost to Government will be less than $20,000.'' Mr. Edness then turned to the accusation over stab-proof vests.

"No one on the Force has been made, or even asked to purchase his own bullet or stab-proof vest.

"A small number of Police officers have bought them, but entirely out of their own volition.

"In response to the call for such equipment, the Commissioner has placed two such vests in each vehicle which responds to emergency calls, not two in each Police station.''