the Hon. David Saul told MPs yesterday.

Dr. Saul said a $215,000 cash injection into the Police budget would cover the cost of taking on the rookies.

He said the move was a bid to add impetus to the "Bermudianisation'' of the service.

Dr. Saul also outlined other measures to beef up the war on crime.

"Crime prevention and detection duties will be further strengthened when twelve uniformed officers are released from their security duties at the airport as these positions are civilianised.

"The Department of Airport Operations will assume responsibility for contracting for this service in future.'' Dr. Saul said the Police budget for the coming year would be $26.7 million.

It is the fifth largest budget behind those for the hospitals, Department of Education, Works and Engineering and Tourism.

Shadow Labour Minister Mr. Alex Scott was unable to comment on the proposed boost to the Police.

He said he did not want to preempt anything Shadow Finance Minister Mr. Eugene Cox might say in his response to the Budget.

Mr. Scott has been at the forefront of Progressive Labour Party calls for the Bermudianisation of the Police Service.

Last year he voiced alarm at the high number of rookie Policemen who resigned.

He claimed their survival rate over the last 15 years had been just 36 percent.

Mr. Scott has also highlighted another alleged problem -- the Service being split up between West Indians, Britons and Bermudians.