A petition is circulating calling for a reversal of Government's decision to hire its two most senior Police officers from abroad.

And the Opposition Progressive Labour Party is urging Bermudians to sign the petition, saying the "regrettable move'' can still be reviewed.

The petition, calling on Government and Governor Lord Waddington to "review and rescind'' a decision to hire a Police Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner from Great Britain, began circulating on the weekend.

Shadow Labour Minister Mr. Alex Scott said the petition was not sponsored by the PLP, but the party was helping with its circulation. He said he did not know who was behind it.

"An increasing number of Bermudians...are concerned about the impact that this decision might have on the over-all security of the Island,'' the PLP said in a news release signed by Mr. Scott and Shadow Delegated Affairs Minister Mrs. Lois Browne Evans.

There are "Parliamentary and Constitutional options open to the people of Bermuda who feel aggrieved by this issue'', the PLP said.

"It should be appreciated by the Governor that he answers to Whitehall...and subsequently the UK Parliament,'' the release said.

"Equally, the Premier and his Cabinet have to answer to Parliament -- which is supreme -- and ultimately the people of Bermuda.'' In mid-December, Government announced that the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner would be brought to Bermuda from abroad. They are to be hired for three and two years respectively, with a Bermudian likely to be named Deputy Commissioner in two years and rise to the top post one year later.

The "break with tradition'' to hire from abroad was forced by the sudden retirement due to illness of Bermudian Police Commissioner Mr. Lennett (Lennie) Edwards, Government said.

Mr. Edwards had been expected to stay on another two years, but instead will retire on March 1, at the same time as Deputy Commissioner Mr. Alex Forbes. A short list of British applicants has been made and the top officers are expected to be on the job in March at the earliest.

The PLP, meanwhile, could bring a motion calling for a review of the decision when the House of Assembly resumes on February 3. "I would have to believe there are at least a handful, if not more, UBP Parliamentarians who are concerned,'' Mr. Scott said.

Petition to stop hiring of top officers from abroad Also, "if the support is strong and if the Governor does not relent, we could see a case building for (the Governor's) early recall'', he said.

Labour and Home Affairs Minister the Hon. Irving Pearman has said the short-term hiring from abroad is in the long-term career interests of Bermudians on the force.

But at least one senior officer, Supt. Larry Smith, has publicly criticised the move.

The PLP said the Commissioner's post should have gone to Assistant Commissioner Wayne Perinchief or Assistant Commissioner Harold Moniz.

Failure to promote one of those two officers "will send a strong signal down through the ranks and into the private sector demonstrating how Bermudians can be passed by for a foreigner'', the PLP said.

The overseas hiring is to be accompanied by "a broadening'' of the senior command establishment that will see a third Assistant Commissioner named.

Funds are yet to be approved for that post in the Budget to be tabled in February.

Any of the force's five Superintendents -- Alan Bissell, Vic Richmond, George Rose, Campbell Simons, and Larry Smith -- could be in line for the Assistant Commissioner's job.