Governor Thorold Masefield yesterday met the Island's senior Police officers to explain a new bid to identify high-flyers capable of filling the Commissioner's shoes.

The meeting -- for officers of Chief Inspector rank and above -- was held to explain the assessment exercise and allowed officers to ask questions.

And it is understood the Governor reassured the ranks that the policy of Bermudianisation in the service -- including the top posts -- remained unchanged.

But both the Governor and Government have set their faces against Bermudianisation at any cost and will not promote an officer before he -- or she -- is ready to take over at the top.

But Labour and Home Affairs Minister Quinton Edness said last night: "This process is being considered -- and considered thorougly -- before we make any attempt to go overseas for a Commissioner.

"Depending on the results, two things can happen. Either our officers, with the kind of feedback they get, will have to be put into further training or given experience and attachments to broaden their experience.

"Or, if it's found there are one or two or three out of them who have the necessary skills to take over, that will be the decision made.'' Superintendent Alan Bissell -- spokesman for the Senior Officers' Association -- declined to comment on the meeting.

The gruelling assessment scheme, which begins in December, is expected to produce results by February at the latest. The scheme will include personal interviews as well as written and practical testing and will last one-and-a-half days. That will be followed up with recommendations for career development for individual officers.

Mr. Edness said: "Sometime in January or February we will have to make decisions.. .if it means we have to go overseas, that will be determined then.'' The interview panel, likely to be three or four-strong, will be chosen by the Governor.

The panel will be made up of a senior overseas Police officer, probably Her Majesty's Inspector of Dependent Territories Police, Lionel Grundy, and up to three civilians, plus observers. Deputy Governor Peter Willis said: "There is potential within the Police Service. What we have got to do is identify these officers.

"To do that, we have got to give feedback on where their strengths are and where they need development.

"That is a long-term management tool, although at any stage it can have short-term implications, and it's a tool every management programme should have.'' Island interview panel members will travel to the UK to watch a similar UK scheme in operation and officials from the British Home Office will come to Bermuda to assist in tailoring the programme to the Island's needs.

Mr. Edness said: "The extended interview will give them the opportunity to be assessed in an objective way.

Bermudians get shot at top job "We are taking this approach because we want to make sure that we are not overlooking any officers currently in the Service who could qualify as Commissioner, while at the same time identifying officers with potential for future promotion and establishing what their development needs are.'' Mr. Edness said the scheme would be run under Jean-Jacques Lemay, who will become Acting Commissioner when Comissioner Colin Coxall leaves the Island at the end of the month.

He said: "There is considerable talent and potential within the Police Service and we are confident that this will identify those officers best suited to attain the most senior positions and ensure the continued safety and welfare of the community.''