Bermudians turned down for the Police because they failed their fitness tests are angry that overseas recruits who did not pass the exam are being allowed on the streets, an MP has warned.

Shadow Home Affairs Minister Michael Dunkley said Police Commissioner Jean-Jacques Lemay should ensure there is a "level playing field'' for Bermudians trying to get into the service.

The Royal Gazette revealed that eight of the 21 officers recruited from the West Indies to bolster numbers failed their fitness tests.

Mr. Lemay said the officers, who all passed fitness tests in their own countries, will be allowed on patrol even if they failed the test and will be encouraged to improve their fitness.

Mr. Dunkley warned that these officers could face resentment on the streets if they were seen to be treated differently from Bermudians who tried to join the Police.

Mr. Dunkley said whoever interviewed the recruits in the Caribbean had wasted taxpayer's money by not ensuring the officers could pass the Bermuda fitness test.

He said: "We support recruiting these officers but I am disturbed that we sent people who are qualified to do interviews so how could they overlook physical requirements of the Bermuda Police Service? "I am aware of a number of Bermudians who have contacted me about problems they had in passing the fitness test in the last recruitment drive.

"I hope Bermudians will be on the same level playing field as these recruits and I hope the Commissioner will take a look at that.

"The perception will be that overseas recruits are given preferential treatment and the Police should make sure that is not the case and the public know it is not the case. If we don't, these recruits could find a negative reaction on the street.'' He described Mr. Lemay's statement that the recruits passed their physical tests in their home countries as a "pile of hogwash.

"We should have put them through the physical exam they have to do in Bermuda.

"Once they came to Bermuda I find it hard to believe that someone could fall out of fitness. It leaves me to believe they were not given some form of physical test there and it seems to me (the recruiters) did not do their job properly.'' A Police spokeswoman said: "We have already issued a statement. If Mr.

Dunkley has any comment, he should address them to the Home Affairs Minister (Paula Cox).''