Opposition law and order spokesman Alex Scott yesterday backed the duo of Canadian Mountie Jean-Jacques Lemay and Harold Moniz as Bermuda's two top Policemen.

Mr. Scott said: "We have the disappointment of not having a Bermudian in the key post of Commissioner and it would appear we are going to have to wait under the current Government for at least three years for that to happen.

"But of Mr. Lemay -- in the period he has spent as chief executive in the Police Service as Acting Commissioner -- we have heard very few complaints, although there are occasional points one way or the other.

"It's not a perfect world, but Mr. Lemay has demonstrated he is making every effort to put at the helm senior Bermudian officers.

"And it's good the number two post is a Bermudian and he and Mr. Lemay will get our support for the next few years.'' But Mr. Scott said he wanted to see a Bermudian Commissioner long before the up to ten years predicted by Her Majesty's Inspector of Dependent Territories Police Lionel Grundy.

He added: "We believe there is the talent at the senior level who could, in very short order, take on responsibility for the entire Police Service.'' Mr. Scott said: "I believe the force has become more efficient under Mr.

Lemay and the officers assisting him than it has been in recent years.'' And he cited the recently-set up Task Force's record in tackling both drugs and violence on the streets and at soccer matches.

But Mr. Scott declined to comment on how the Mr. Moniz' now-vacant Assistant Commissioner's job could be filled.

Options available to the Commissioner and the Public Service Commission include confirming Acting Assistant Commissioner Alan Bissell in the role.

But the possibilities also include picking another Superintendent to fill the role or allowing a more junior high-flyer to leapfrog that rank into the number three post.

Mr. Scott said: "As I understand it, the selection process for advancement is underway. It would be inappropriate for me to begin to name names.'' But he added: "There is a deep bench -- there is the talent there at the top and readily available.

"And if we use the rule of thumb that we certainly wish to, whenever and wherever possible, to Bermudianise the Service, that is something the selectors should keep in mind.''