Measures are being taken to assure Bermuda Police officers are more "sensitive'' in their dealings with the public, Delegated Affairs Minister the Hon. Irving Pearman said yesterday.

Mr. Pearman made his remarks as the House of Assembly prepares to debate today the report of the Police Tumim Committee.

The Minister has asked that the House "take note'' of the report, which sounded an alarm over Police morale problems.

The report, which was tabled in the House earlier this month, said there was "an undercurrent of frustration, despondency, abandonment and hopelessness'' among the ranks of the Bermuda Police.

And Police internal problems were at the root of troubles between the force and the public, the report said.

Set up by Police Commissioner Mr. Lennett (Lennie) Edwards to examine "the role of the Police as a public service,'' the committee chaired by Mr. Andrew Bermingham and Mr. Dale Butler turned much of its attention to Police morale problems.

It was set up in 1992 on the advice of the Tumim Criminal Justice Review Board. Other recommendations included videotaping of Police interviews and more beat officers.

Mr. Pearman said many of the recommendations were already being implemented.

It was felt Police and the public would get along better if Police had better interpersonal skills, he said. Management and Personnel Services had been asked to work with Police on accomplishing that.

While "a large number of these recommendations are immediately accepted,'' others had costs attached and would have to be phased in or modified, he said.

Also in the House today, Tourism Minister the Hon. C.V. (Jim) Woolridge said he would make an announcement regarding air service to Bermuda.

His announcement could relate to a decision by Northwest Airlines to shorten its Bermuda season.

Northwest station manager in Bermuda Mr. Ron Kattawar said yesterday the airline's service to Bermuda would end on July 31 and resume in March.

Originally, Northwest had planned to continue its service until the end of October.

"We're just cutting our season 90 days short'' due to weak future bookings, Mr. Kattawar told The Royal Gazette . "It's a good business move for the company.'' This summer's addition of the Boston-Bermuda cruise ship to competition from USAir and Delta was one reason for the decision, he said.

The Senate's proposed amendment to the Independence Referendum Act 1994 is not to be dealt with today.

It is expected that any action on Government's proposed Independence referendum will be put off until fall.

PEARMAN: Dealing with `despondency' on force.