Bermuda's second highest ranking Policeman is to retire after 39 years in the force, The Royal Gazette can reveal.

And his resignation means the race is now on to find a Bermudian Police Commissioner within just two years.

Deputy Governor Tim Gurney confirmed Harold Moniz -- Deputy Commissioner of Police and Force Discipline Officer -- will step down on April 22.

It is understood Mr. Moniz, the most senior Bermudian officer, asked to stay in his post but was effectively forced out by Governor Thorold Masefield.

Now the top Bermudian officers are to be given a one-year trial period to prove themselves as candidates for the top two jobs in the force.

Police Commissioner Jean-Jacques Lemay, a Canadian, has two years left to run on his contract.

And Government House plans to carve up some of Mr. Moniz's duties so senior Bermudians can be prepared for the roles of Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner.

Early candidates for the two most senior jobs will include recently-promoted superintendents Gertrude Barker, Jonathan Smith and George Jackson.

Assistant Commissioner Alan Bissell, who has Bermudian status, could also be in line for one of the key posts.

But Mr. Gurney would not name names and stressed that no shortlists had yet been drawn up.

He also said details of how to fill Mr. Moniz's position were still being worked out.

He added: "The replacement in some ways is dependent on the Governor's longer-term plans for a new Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner so there will be no announcement of a successor at the moment.

"There are many aspects that have got to be drawn together. Until those things are in sync, the Governor is holding off for the time being.

"I would think there will be an announcement in a couple of weeks but that may not be to name a substantive successor. It may be that we have a series of `acting' jobs.'' Mr. Gurney said officials were poring over the force core functions plan, which sets out the duties of the Police Service, before setting up a new staffing plan.

But he hinted the new openings could pave the way for a Bermudian Police Commissioner.

"We are a year away from some kind of announcement I would have thought,'' he added.

"But it's certainly an opportunity to identify successors to the Commissioner, who has got another two years to serve.'' Mr. Gurney denied Mr. Moniz was disillusioned at being told to resign. Public Safety Minister Paula Cox said: "It's not really for me to comment on the communications between the Governor and Mr. Moniz.

"The primary discussions have been between the Governor and Mr. Moniz directly.

"My only comment is that the aim has to be proper succession planning and there are on-going discussions.'' Mr. Moniz, unavailable for comment last night, leaves the Police after being awarded the Queen's Police Medal in the New Year's Honours List.

But he was also a controversial figure, having once been suspended himself and fighting criticism for his own handling of internal discipline inquiries.