central parishes in order to fill gaps in the Police Service's watch structure.

But Police Commissioner Jean Jacques Lemay yesterday stressed that the move to boost round-the-clock staffing was a temporary measure.

Allegations arose that the parish constables were being taken off their beat because the Police Service was "drastically undermanned''.

But Police press officer Evelyn James Barnett denied the claim and said there was a shortage of about 30 officers.

Mr. Lemay said there were a number of resignations from the western parishes leaving some shifts and watches severely depleted.

Some parish constables were being taken off their beats in order to fill in the shifts in the western and central divisions while parish constables in the Eastern Division were unaffected.

And he noted that the entire Service was involved in community policing so while there might be fewer designated parish constables, the job was still being done.

The move was only a short term answer to the recurrent problem of Police under-staffing, he added.

Ten recruits were due to graduate in December and applications are being taken for the next recruit course, which is slated to begin in February.

And a series of short and long term initiatives are presently being considered by Public Safety Minister Maxwell Burgess, he added.

The Police Service is keen to recruit more people, particularly males, into its ranks and one idea being looked at is a training and developing programme, said Mr. Lemay.

Under the scheme, people between the ages of 19 and 35 who had the qualities needed to be a Police officer, but were lacking in the necessary qualifications, could attend the Bermuda College for two years in order to get up to speed.

Beforehand, the service would work with the College in order to implement a law and security programme.

The participants would be bound by contract to complete two years service in the Police after finishing their education and could then go onto other employment if they wished.

Further education to an undergraduate level would also be a possibility with participants receiving bursaries from the Police Service which would enable them to attend a post-Bermuda College university programme.

They would also be bound by contract and be required to complete five years working on the force.

If a participant decided to leave before fulfilling their obligations, he or she would have to pay back the entire cost of their education.

Other plans being considered include using the Reserve Police force as a vehicle for members of the community to join the full-time Police Service and trying to attract students overseas as either summer employees or as using the force for further training in their chosen fields of study.

Graphic file name: LEMMAY Jean-Jacques Lemay