The opportunity to head up the Police force of a sunny British colony has generated "considerable interest'' among UK top Policemen, the Deputy Governor revealed last week.

Mr. Peter Willis made the comment in confirming a tentative short list had been made of applicants for the posts of commissioner and deputy commissioner of the Bermuda Police Force.

He said the list contained a "goodly number'' of names and the applicants were all high-ranking British officers in the United Kingdom.

"We are in the process of compiling a shortlist,'' Mr. Willis said.

"There has been some considerable interest in the posts. More than 12 names are on the list so far.'' Mr. Willis said no one was at the top of list yet.

He declined to release the names of the officers being considered.

A decision would be made as soon as possible, he said.

The names were a result of suggestions by the British Police Inspectorate after consultation with the officers to see if they were interested, he added.

A political storm burst last week over Government's plans to fill the two top jobs in the Police Force with non-Bermudians following Police Commissioner Mr.

Lennett (Lennie) Edwards' early retirement on March 1, 1995 due to illness.

Deputy Commissioner Mr. Alex Forbes is retiring at the same time.

Government said the two overseas officers would fill the posts only for two and three years respectively.

But the Opposition charged the decision to turn to Britain for new Police chiefs was a legacy of colonialism and would create tensions within the Force -- and outside it.

The Progressive Labour Party said Bermudians could do the jobs and its leader Mr. Frederick Wade met with Governor Lord Waddington to officially protest.

His Shadow Labour Minister Mr. Alex Scott suggested Assistant Commissioner Wayne Perinchief as a replacement for Mr. Edwards.

But Labour and Home Affairs Minister the Hon. J. Irving Pearman said Mr.

Perinchief had only recently been promoted to his senior rank.

Mr. Pearman has argued the overseas officers were temporarily needed to help the Force cope with alarming violence and crime and with "additional challenges internally'' as they seek to adjust to changes in procedure and staffing recommended by the Tumim Report.

Their role would include examining the depth of local talent in the service, and boosting prospects for Bermudians to fill senior posts, said. They would also bring in the most modern Policing and management techniques, said Mr.

Pearman.

"I feel outside administrative assistance is needed to accomplish the necessary restructuring,'' he said.

Mr. Pearman has said he hopes to have identified the new commissioners by mid to late January.