cadets.

Shadow Labour Minister Mr. Alex Scott voiced alarm at the high number of rookie Policemen who quit the Force. He claimed their survival rate over the last 15 years was just 36 percent.

"We have to review the whole process of bringing Police cadets into the service,'' he said.

Mr. Scott spoke out following the release of the Bermuda Police 1993 report, which included statistics on the Cadet Scheme.

The figures for 1978-December 31, 1993 reveal 51 cadets resigned; 41 were forced to leave; 10 were dismissed; and one died.

At the end of last year the total cadet strength was 14.

The statistics also show 92 cadets were now serving as constables, while 72 had resigned from this rank, and six were dismissed.

According to the report, cadets were first introduced to Bermuda in 1959 when the then Commissioner Mr. R.G. Henderson recruited the first three. The scheme remained relatively small until a more extensive system was created in 1978.

"All cadets are required to attend Bermuda College where they must satisfy the Commissioner of Police that they make every effort to achieve the highest academic levels in their respective programmes,'' the report states.

"Only those applicants who have sufficient academic credentials to be accepted into a `certified programme' at the Bermuda College are considered for appointment.'' The report adds cadets receive a salary and their college tuition and books are paid for by Government.

"They also receive the same benefits as Police Constables with regards to leave, uniforms, medical and limited dental treatment.'' Yesterday Mr. Scott -- who raised his concerns in the House of Assembly on Friday -- said it was essential to find the reasons behind the high casualty rate of young rookies. Mr. Scott believed cadets received $10,000 a year to go to Bermuda College for two years.

"One of the problems is that many cadets then elect to go overseas for further education. It means the Force is being used as a step along someone's career path.'' Mr. Scott said he also knew of cases where cadets were dismissed for "minor'' matters.

And he added there was an argument the Force was not really geared for cadets.

"Some argue the Service really wants to recruit senior officers.'' Mr. Scott pointed to another possible problem -- the Force being divided up between West Indians, Britons, and Bermudians.

"The divisions can border on confrontation, and for a young Bermudian cadet it can be stressful working in this environment.

"He may find himself in a position where he has to take sides with a sergeant from the West Indies or the United Kingdom.

"It can lead to discord in the Force and create very stressful conditions for many junior cadets.'' Mr. Scott continued: "Another criticism I hear comes from males and females.

"It is that they have passed their test to become a sergeant and yet have still not been made up to the rank, while others go through the ranks of the Force quickly.'' Mr. Scott said increasing violent crime had only added to stressful conditions. Many officers felt they were not properly equipped to handle such crime, he stressed.

"If morale among the Police is not rock bottom, it is being sorely tested.''