Four top Policemen held a secret meeting with Governor Lord Waddington to protest the hiring of a non-Bermudian to replace Deputy Commissioner Michael Mylod, it was claimed last night.

Shadow Home Affairs Minister Alex Scott said that the officers were prepared to resign if their concerns were ignored.

It is understood that Assistant Commissioner Harold Moniz, Supt. Alan Bissell, Supt. Campbell Simons and Det. Supt. Vic Richmond went to Government House yesterday to meet with Lord Waddington.

When contacted yesterday, Mr. Moniz declined to comment on the meeting stating that the matters discussed were "private and personal''.

But Mr. Scott said: "It is our information that as many as four senior officers are prepared to go to the Governor and protest the decision to recruit yet another non-Bermudian for the post of Deputy Commissioner.

"Reportedly, the Police Service intends to recruit the new Deputy Police Commissioner from the West Indies which represents a change.

"But our point is that even if they brought in Nelson Mandela right now, it would not be acceptable -- we want a Bermudian in the post.'' He added that his source understood that "should the Governor or UBP Government ignore the officers' expression of concern then the four men are prepared to submit their resignation from the Police Service and will be seeking a settlement along the lines of that which was offered to Wayne Perinchief and George Rose.'' Mr. Perinchief and Mr. Rose were made redundant in a shake-up of Police hierarchy outlined in the Service Strategy launched last year by Police Commissioner Colin Coxall.

The news comes on the heels of an announcement that Mr. Mylod, an Englishman, will leave before the end of his contract and that his successor would be appointed from overseas.

Mr. Mylod will leave in September -- six months early -- and his replacement will be appointed for at least 18 months, or possibly longer, meaning an overseas officer will serve in the post for at least three years.

He or she would serve at least 18 months as more time was needed to "ensure a Bermudian successor receives appropriate training and experience to take over the post''.

Mr. Scott said Mr. Mylod's resignation could not be seen as a separate act compared to the four top Policemen going to see the Governor with their concerns.

And Opposition Leader Frederick Wade blasted the decision to recruit from overseas.

He said it was "vicious and cruel'' for the Government and the Governor to bypass Bermudians for the promotion.

Mr. Wade stressed that there were senior officers who could fill the position of Deputy Commissioner but none had been trained as understudies for it.

He added that it was "a breach of the promises'' made when he and Shadow Finance Minister Eugene Cox handed over a 6,000 signature petition to Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Tony Baldry in February of last year.

The petition protested the hiring of Mr. Mylod and Mr. Coxall.

Mr. Wade said Mr. Baldry had indicated that the positions would not be for an indefinite period but would be short-term appointments.