Government and the Governor are on the brink of naming the man stepping into the number two job in the Bermuda Police Service, it emerged yesterday.

The appointment will come from overseas, but it is understood the new Deputy Commissioner will not be British and possibly Canadian.

It is also expected that the new Deputy will be behind his desk early in the New Year.

Last night Shadow Home Affairs Minister Alex Scott attacked the appointment saying the Governor, Government and Commissioner Colin Coxall had still "not got the message''.

"We were moving ahead over the last ten years and the Police Service was becoming a more attractive career option, but with overseas appointments it no longer is,'' said Mr. Scott.

The job was advertised abroad, in Britain, Canada and the Caribbean, earlier this year when Michael Mylod resigned as Deputy Commissioner with six months left on his two-year contract.

He left in September citing "personal reasons'' for going back to England and cutting short his contract.

It is understood his replacement will be appointed for 18 months -- and perhaps longer -- extending the period an overseas officer serves in the Deputy's role.

Originally it was intended that a Bermudian Police officer would replace Mr.

Mylod when he finished his two years on the Island and Mr. Coxall replaced with a Bermudian after his three-year contract expires.

Mr. Scott said he had been told that the new Deputy was from Ontario and was serving in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in a mainly administrative role.

He added: "It is extraordinary that the Governor, Government and Mr. Coxall have not got the message by now that it would make for a more effective Police Service and show commitment to the community with a Bermudian appointment.

"We have to start staffing our own Police Service with Bermudians.'' Coxall's deputy about to be named Deputy Governor Peter Willis said last night: "We have been recruiting. We have identified a candidate and an announcement will be made soon.'' Home Affairs Minister Quinton Edness is off the Island and was not available for comment.

However a Government spokesman said: "The Deputy Commissioner of Police has not been appointed yet but an announcement is expected in the next few days.

"I believe he will be behind his desk within the first few weeks of the New Year.''