yesterday.

And Home Affairs and Public Safety Minister Paula Cox ruled out extra manpower for the force until it was established that existing officers could not be deployed better.

She said: "This review may well result in a reallocation of human resources to better address the needs of the community and more fully embrace the principles of community policing which this Government supports.

"Through this review the Police and Government will be able to ensure that existing manpower resources are being used efficiently and effectively before any consideration of additional manpower is undertaken.'' Ms Cox was speaking as she announced a "core functions review'' for the Police Service in the House of Assembly.

She said Government was committed to cracking down on crime and that support for "generally maintaining a feeling of security in the community was unequivocal.'' Ms Cox added: "We support the Police Service fully in its efforts to this end, but we also recognise that there are certain aspects of policing which require a change of emphasis and I've already had fruitful discussions on this subject with the Police Commissioner.'' Ms Cox told MPs that -- in a bid to attract Bermudians into uniform -- the Police Cadet scheme would be reintroduced next year.

And she said that a remedial education scheme would be set up at the Bermuda College to bring Police hopefuls up to the educational standard required.

And she said a summer scheme to give college students a taste of the Police Service would also be created.

Ms Cox added: "In addition, the Government is committed to ensuring that Bermudians are given the opportunity to fill the most senior ranks in the Police Service.'' And she pledged cash to give high flyers in the force access to training opportunities like executive development programmes.

Ms Cox said: "This is in addition to other job-related training and will enable us to secure proper succession planning.'' But she added: "If it transpires that a shortage of manpower still exists, despite the local recruitment initiatives and staff reallocations, this Government will not shirk from the prime responsibility of ensuring public safety.

"If necessary, we'll go overseas to recruit officers, but any such officers will be on limited contracts and will be recruited as experienced trainers to help develop our many young Bermudian officers.'' Ms Cox said many officers also worked from run-down offices and promised to improve accommodation -- subject to money being available.

And she added the divisional consultative committees set up under the last Government would be joined by special committees for the young and old, which would report to a national committee.

Ms Cox said: "The Commissioner will then be in a position to produce an annual `directional statement' on policing priorities, after consultation with the Governor, Government and the committees.'' `If necessary, we'll go overseas to recruit officers, but any such officers will be on limited contracts and will be recruited as experienced trainers to help develop our many Bermudian officers.' Paula Cox POLICE POL