after an editorial in yesterday's edition called for the Commissioner of Police to be a outsiders-only job.

Labour and Home Affairs Minister Quinton Edness kicked off the attack and said that banning Bermudians from the top job would have a disastrous effect on morale.

The editorial called for outsiders on five-year contracts to head the Police to ensure its independence from political interference and distance from Bermuda's history.

Mr. Edness added: "Telling all those Bermudians who are in the service, who are in the Police Reserve, that they do not have the potential, they are not adequate, you're demoralising these people.

"And you are also telling young people who come along that you can never aspire to be Commissioner.'' Mr. Edness was speaking as he brought legislation to the House of Assembly which would give Police new negotiating powers on pay and conditions -- with an independent tribunal as the final voice in disputes.

He said: "We need to have conditions of service and a way of resolving complaints so we can attract the best into our Police Service.

"The leaders of this Country, the political leaders and the civic leaders -- and I regard the Editor of The Royal Gazette as a civic leader -- when we make comments we must bear in mind these young people we wish to encourage in this service.

"We need to shore up and support the men and women we have in today's service and in our Police Reserve.

"That would go a long way to reassure our Policemen and women that Government recognises their unique contribution to peace and prosperity of Bermuda.'' And Shadow Labour and Home Affairs Minister said that "bringing folks into the Island goes a long way against the idea of community policing.'' And he claimed that in recent times the contribution of Bermudian former Commissioners and rank-and-file had been "denigrated.'' Mr. Scott said: "Critics have said -- most noticeably the Editor of The Royal Gazette -- that we do not have the best talent in the Police service. That is doing a great disservice.'' Earlier, Mr. Edness said that he was "a little bit disturbed'' by a radio interview he had heard with Mr. Scott where his Shadow appeared to suggest Bermuda only needed an "adequate'' Police Commissioner.

Mr. Edness said: "I don't believe that he intended for that to come out -- that all we needed was someone who just barely made the grade.

"I think what he meant in talking about the importance of having a Bermudian Commissioner is that we need someone who can lead the Service.'' And he added that Bermuda needed not just a good Police Service but a good Commissioner as well.'' But Mr. Scott claimed other top positions in Bermuda were not filled by the best in the world -- including those at The Royal Gazette .

He said he had meant local knowledge was more important than being an international super-cop.

And he asked why the Police was singled out as requiring international-standard leaders.

In reference to yesterday's editorial, he added: "I'm proud of my history, chequered as it is. Don't denigrate our past and cause ourselves to look elsewhere.'' And he called for the Police to "get some boys from St. David's, some girls from Somerset who have put in the necessary years, have been to the necessary colleges and we will not have to worry ourselves about bringing in people from overseas.'' Mr. Scott added that both sides of the House had been the subject of attacks in The Royal Gazette .

He said: "Maybe this constant sniping at Parliamentarians on both sides of the House...I wish that maybe, in the interests of the community, that this should cease and desist.''