protection on the streets.

Last week 18 officers were trained in the use of the extendable baton and it is hoped they will start training other officers early in the New Year.

Officers on patrol will be the first to be trained over a phased programme which will eventually cover the entire Police Service.

The Bermuda Police Service decided to buy the new batons -- called ASP after the manufacturers Armament Systems and Procedures Incorporated -- to replace the old wooden truncheons currently used by officers.

It is an expandable metal baton which can extend to 21 inches -- five inches longer than the truncheon currently used. It is seven inches long when closed.

Chf. Insp. Jonathan Smith, who is in charge of training, said 18 instructors were shown how to use the baton last week.

However he said a Police Policy Committee meeting on December 18 would have to approve the content and standard of the training before other officers could start to be trained.

"If agreement is reached at the committee we will then be in a position to start training. It would be training for operational officers first and then extended over a phased period,'' said Chf. Insp. Smith.

He said he believed the training would start early in the New Year.