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The Bermuda Police Service may soon raise the upper age limit for new officers to ease a critical manpower shortage.

"It is my view that we have many individuals within our community between the ages of 40 and 50 who would be prepared to serve their country,'' Commissioner Jean-Jacques Lemay said yesterday.

"I believe the recruiting age should be changed to consider anyone who has not yet reached the age of 50, and who is capable of meeting all of our physical entry standards.'' He added recruiting those over 50 might also be considered: "I believe if you are 50 or older and able to meet our entry standards, we should consider alternative employment schemes, particularly for specialised duties.'' Mr. Lemay made the remarks at a Press conference to announce next month's "aggressive'' recruitment campaign for Bermudian officers.

Chief Insp. Sinclair White will lead the National Recruiting Team with Insp.

Michael DeSilva, Sergeants Michelle Simons, James Howard and Andrea Browne, Constables Darrin Simons and Calvin Smith, human resources manager Suzette Edmead, and spokeswoman Evelyn James Barnett.

They will speak to schools, youth groups, the Bermuda Regiment and service groups. The Police Cadet Scheme will be also reintroduced.

Jean-Jacques Lemay Graphic file name: MELA Recruiting drive Interested persons will also be invited to public receptions and may even be allowed to shadow officers on a daily beat to gain greater insight into the service.

And a multimedia campaign including television commercials, talk radio shows, and an internet website will be used to encourage Bermudians to "take a look'' at a career in the force.

Yesterday represenatatives emphasised the widespread support amongst officers -- many of them have already volunteered to work alongside aspiring recruits.

And Mrs. Edmead appealed to candidates who had previously been turned down to take advantage of this support by reapplying.

Mr. Lemay explained: "Sometimes we receive applications from individuals who possess all of the attributes and qualities we want in an individual, such as honesty, integrity and conscientiousness to name a few, but they lack the academic skills to pass the entrance tests or cannot pass the physical fitness test.

"The Police trainee development scheme will provide those individuals with the opportunity to improve their chances of being successful by getting them to the acceptable level.'' Yesterday Home Affairs Minister Paula Cox backed the new campaign.

"I'm saying to the people of Bermuda, be aware that you have a group who's going to be reaching out to the fabric of this community,'' said Ms Cox.

"Because we've got to take it back, we've got to take back the crime and all those other issues.'' And she said Government planned to lend its support in the coming days by creating an "ancillary scheme'' to promote Police careers.