The Police Service has been hit by a manpower shortage after a spate of retirements and resignations, The Royal Gazette can reveal.

Officers are now being redeployed to plug gaps in the fight against crime over the hectic Christmas holiday.

And a big recruiting drive is set to swing into action in the New Year to bring the Service up to strength.

Police Commissioner Colin Coxall yesterday admitted the Service was down to 407 officers -- 25 fewer than the full complement.

The Service is deemed to be up to strength when manpower levels reach 432 -- although that figure in the past has been 489.

Said Mr. Coxall: "I constantly monitor the situation and redeploy resources as they are needed during slack times in a particular department.

"This is with a view to providing the maximum efficiency of the Police Service at all times.'' Mr. Coxall said it was normal to have fluctuations in Police manpower levels between training courses.

But last night Shadow Public Safety Minister Alex Scott believed low morale in the Service had brought on resignations -- and threatened Mr. Coxall's strategy of community policing.

He said the laying off of former Police Assistant Commissioner Wayne Perinchief had sent negative signals to young Bermudians hoping to rise up through the ranks.

Last month Mr. Perinchief won his case when Puisne Judge Norma Wade said Government acted unlawfully by abolishing his Police post.

Said Mr. Scott: "The Perinchief signal sent to young officers was `here was the best and brightest of Bermudian Policemen' dismissed.

"Many young people had modelled their careers on Mr. Perinchief. They have had their careers brought up short.'' Mr. Scott said evidence of low morale was demonstrated when four senior officers went to Governor Lord Waddington to raise concerns.

"I have been reliably informed that they can be told to expect no further progress in their careers.

"This sends through the ranks a feeling of despair for the future prospects of any given officer who wants to get on in his career.'' Mr. Scott added: "The very worrying thing is that the cadet programme has been discontinued.

"The notion of cutting off the input of young Bermudians is a matter of concern.

"It is reckoned you need 40 to 50 new people every year to keep the Police Service on course for realising the established number of 489 officers.

"When you cut out the cadet programme and recruiting in that fashion you commit the Force to depending on volunteers.

"Very little has happened to turn Bermudians on to the Force in the last 18 months.'' Yesterday sources told The Royal Gazette of a dire shortage of officers over Christmas, one of the busiest periods of the year.

Some officers were being told to take on different responsibilities to boost manpower in vulnerable areas, it was claimed.

Sources said Mr. Coxall was reluctant to bring in officers from overseas through fear it would kick up a political storm.

Police spokesman P.c. Gary Venning said there had been "quite a high number'' of retirements and resignations in the Service this year.

This had reduced manpower levels to 407, although a recruiting drive was planned in the New Year.

P.c. Venning said it was normal for officers to be reassigned to Hamilton over Christmas.

He added extra officers were made available after the Police's school liaison programme broke up for the Christmas holiday.

Under the programme, officers go out daily to schools and spend time with children on projects.

In addition, the Outward Bound scheme had ended for the year, freeing up two officers, P.c. Venning continued.

Mr. Coxall said 25 officers would be training in the New Year. And this would bring the Service back up to full strength.

COLIN COXALL -- Fluctuations `normal'.

ALEX SCOTT -- Low morale to blame.