Bermuda Police with British officers.

It followed news yesterday that Police Commissioner Mr. Lennett (Lennie) Edwards -- who has been on sick leave -- would be stepping down on March 1.

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

Government immediately announced two overseas officers would fill the posts for two and three years respectively.

But the move ran into a hail of criticism from the Progressive Labour Party, who said Bermudians could do the jobs.

Opposition Leader Mr. Frederick Wade met Governor Lord Waddington to protest.

"I made it quite clear that we did not agree with the decision,'' he said.

"We feel it is important that Bermudians should be in the top jobs.'' Mr. Wade said overseas officers could be brought in as consultants if it was thought the Police Service needed some restructuring.

"But it is quite wrong for them to actually fill the positions. It is sending the wrong signals to the Country.'' Shadow Labour Minister Mr. Alex Scott suggested Assistant Commissioner Wayne Perinchief as a replacement for Mr. Edwards.

"It is most important to have a man who has the respect of the men in the Police and the community,'' he said. "I also think there are a number of qualified Bermudians for the Deputy Commissioner's position.'' News of Mr. Edwards' retirement came in a Government release, which also disclosed plans to create an additional post of Assistant Commissioner.

It stated Mr. Edwards had informed the Governor of his decision -- and Lord Waddington had accepted.

Mr. Edwards, who has been in poor health, had been expected to stay on in the Police for two more years.

The statement pointed out the Police faced great challenges in fighting increasing violence and crime.

"They face additional challenges internally as they strive to adjust to changes in procedure and staffing recommended by the Tumim Report, and to the recent retirements of senior members of the unit.

"The Governor and Government have consulted extensively over the past few months to chart the way ahead.'' Yesterday Labour and Home Affairs Minister the Hon. Irving Pearman stressed the British officers were being seconded to replace Mr. Edwards and Mr. Forbes as a "temporary measure''.

Their role would include examining the depth of local talent in the service, and boosting prospects for Bermudians to fill senior posts.

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 said Mr. Perinchief -- touted by the PLP as a potential Commissioner -- had only recently been promoted to his senior rank.

But he accepted there was a lot of Bermudian talent.

"I believe there are very creditable Bermudian officers who can take the role of future leadership, but we need to identify them, and we need to have a management training path.'' Mr. Pearman said a shortlist of British officers who might fill the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner posts was being drawn up.

"I hope by the middle or end of January to have identified the people.'' Mr. Pearman added Government also intended appointing a third Assistant Commissioner to broaden the "senior command establishment''.

The post would help Police meet short-term objectives and create a structure in the longer-term to boost young officers' careers.

It would give them the opportunity to gain experience in a variety of command positions and demonstrate their ability to assume the highest responsibilities, said Mr. Pearman.

Mr. Scott, however, vowed to fight Government tooth and nail.

He said the decision to turn to Britain was a legacy of colonialism.

Overseas officers, said Mr. Scott, would behave in a way out of keeping with Bermudian culture.

Experience showed how expatriate Policemen did not sympathise or empathise with the Bermudian way of life.

"They will also have to learn the territory,'' said Mr. Scott.

Mr. Scott predicted the proposed appointments would create tensions within the Force, and outside it.