the position of Information Technology Manager.

A chartered engineer and former British Army officer, Mr. Tucker will be responsible for the planning, implementation, and management of the Police Service's full-time communication network and will also oversee budgeting and purchasing of communication hardware.

The Royal Gazette has also learned that Canadian Robert Jardine has been hired to staff the Manager of Finance and Administration post, vacated by Nova Scotian Byron Rafuse for personal reasons just two days into his three-year contract.

It is understood Mr. Jardine -- who is married to a Bermudian -- is expected to take up his duties in early February.

The $74,000-a-year post has been at the centre of some controversy in recent months; the Progressive Labour Party's Shadow Minister for Public Safety Alex Scott has been fiercely critical of the Service's hiring of non-Bermudians.

Mr. Tucker -- a Briton -- served previously as the British Army's Information Manager; in that capacity he was responsible for communications strategy, bringing the Army's information systems into the 21st Century. He also co-authored the British Army's Internet web page.

A 1984 Honours graduate of the Royal Military College of Science, Shrivenham, Mr. Tucker received a B.Sc. in electrical engineering and has since completed a number of training courses in software system design and corporate financial awareness.

Mr. Tucker is married to Bermudian Christiana (Williams) Tucker. The couple have two children, James and Laura. Mr. Tucker is expected to assume his duties on Monday, January 20.