sneak Police Commissioner Colin Coxall into a permanent job through the back door, it was claimed yesterday.

Shadow Labour and Home Affairs Minister Alex Scott said that the alteration could "set the stage'' for English officer Mr. Coxall to stay after his contract expires.

But Minister of Labour and Home Affairs Quinton Edness insisted no decision on the future leadership of the service had been made -- although he said an extension to Mr. Coxall's contract was an option.

"What does this say about those who are being trained or even the young ones who are being brought on,'' he asked.

"Parliament should certainly discuss this and the impact this will have on the people who are suppposedly being trained to be Commissioner.'' The allegation came from Mr. Scott minutes after he failed in a bid to have a discussion of the rule changes held next week.

A name vote in the House of Assembly meant a 13-10 defeat for Mr. Scott's request to suspend House rules to allow for debate next week.

Mr. Scott said: "Government vigorously objected to this being discussed -- it could have been debated next week.'' The rule changes, published in the official Gazette on June 6, makes provision for the Civil Service Commission to "recommend a non-Bermudian for appointment to an office for a term exceeding three years but not exceeding five years if either the Commission sees fit in the particular case or the officer in question is an officer in the Police Force.'' The amendment added "where a non-Bermudian has been employed for a period of not less than five consecutive years as an officer in the Police Force, the Commission may recommend him for permanent appointment to an established office in that force.'' Rule change paves way for Coxall to stay -- Scott But Mr. Edness -- just back from talks with HMI of Police for the Dependant Territories Lionel Grundy in England -- said the change was a precaution to cover bases for Government.

He said: "It may well be that we will have to look at a number of options -- including retaining Mr. Coxall -- and other options to ensure continuity in the service.'' Options available include retaining the current hierarchy or replacing them with other experienced Police chiefs from overseas.

Other routes could be promoting the current Deputy Commissioner Jean-Jacques Lemay when Mr. Coxall's contract runs out and having a Bermudian Deputy -- or bringing in another foreign officer.

Another option -- believed to be regarded as risky -- is making a Bermudian officer Commissioner, but backing him up with an experienced officer from overseas.

Mr. Edness said Mr. Grundy's advice was that fitting a middle-ranking officer for the top job could take several years -- and that the Island could not afford to make mistakes.

But he added: "In order to make a decision, there are a lot of people who have to be consulted -- no such decision has been made yet. But we are having to look at the condition of the Police service and what we have to do.

"One thing we don't want is to make any mistakes and have the service fall down again and lose all the good work which has been done.

"We do not want to lose the impetus of the development of the service. A great deal of credit has to be given to Mr. Coxall and the qualities he has brought to his role.''