cut. Their number will be halved in every parish, and the officers given other duties.

The move flies in the face of Judge Stephen Tumim's call for more community policing. And cost-cutting plans are in the pipeline to replace some Policemen with civilians.

This could include security guards taking over from officers at the airport.

Other Police posts which could be hit are: Clerical staff.

Vehicle dispatchers in the operation's room.

Personnel who take complaints over the phone.

Police officers now doing these jobs would be redeployed in the force. Also targeted is the cadet training scheme for 16 to 19-year-olds, which will be dramatically slashed. It will cater for 15 cadets, instead of 35.

The moves were disclosed to The Royal Gazette yesterday by Deputy Police Commissioner, Mr. Alex Forbes.

They follow this month's announcement 23 non-Bermudian officers would lose their jobs here.

Government has trimmed the Police budget by three percent to $24,985. It is the third successive year there has been a reduction. The latest squeeze sparked a furious outcry from the Progressive Labour Party, which highlighted rising crime.

"In view of the rise in crime, increased drug abuse, crimes of violence against women and children, now is not the time for cuts in the Police force,'' the PLP stated.

Yesterday Mr. Forbes was hopeful the economy measures would not harm the force's crime-fighting capacity. "I would hope we can improve productivity and maintain our current level of efficiency,'' he said.

Mr. Forbes stressed he understood the cash constraints on Government. "We recognise the pressures Government is under, and realise we have to make do with less.'' Mr. Forbes admitted the number of parish constables would be cut. Although talks were under way, the idea had been accepted in principle, he said.

"We have to discuss how it is going to be phased in, and what new duties the officers will take on,'' said Mr. Forbes. Most parishes will shortly have to make do with one constable. For example Paget, Devonshire, and Warwick, will have one constable assigned to them, rather than two. And in Pembroke the number will go down from four to two, pointed out Mr. Forbes.

He admitted this conflicted with Judge Tumim's appeal for more community policing. Judge Tumim, Chief Inspector for Prisons in England and Wales, stated the work of parish constables had been largely untapped.

Mr. Forbes, however, emphasised there were no plans to cut Police programmes.

Instead, manpower throughout the force was being reduced.

Much of the trimming had already occurred through retirements, resignations, and the non-renewal of contracts. For example, the motorcycle section was being cut by five, and the cycle squad by two.

In addition, the Marine Police section, which has been under strength for some time, will not be increased, said Mr. Forbes.

And a vacancy in the scenes of crime office following a resignation will not be filled.

"There have been two separate departments in this office, but there will now be some overlapping of responsibilities between the two,'' explained Mr.

Forbes.

Mr. Forbes also said a feasibility study was being carried out in the "civilianisation'' of certain posts. "We are looking at what it would cost Government to replace a Policeman with a civilian, and whether or not it will be feasible.'' He added: "Nothing has been decided. We may discover it costs more to have a civilian. Another drawback is the job description of a civilian will change. He won't be able to take on other Police duties. It could make us less flexible.'' Mr. Forbes said posts which could be filled by civilians include administrative jobs. "Certain jobs at the airport where Police are not required could be taken on by security guards,'' he added.

Mr. Forbes declined to comment on the 12-month freeze on Police promotions, although he admitted these had been affected by budget constraints.

The Royal Gazette understands, however, new promotions will be announced very shortly.