entry into the Police Service because he could not pass the fitness test demonstrates the pitfalls that disciplined bodies face when they adjust standards.

There was a time when the Police only accepted male officers who were over a certain height and met basic educational and fitness standards.

There were sound reasons for setting these standards. Uniformed officers in particular needed to have a commanding presence to deal with unruly people and crowds, and in the days when all beats were walked, physical fitness was important.

Over the years, these standards have changed, often for the best of reasons.

The best detective may be five feet tall and may only weigh 100 pounds. Women Police officers can have as commanding a presence as a result of their personality as a tall, but retiring man.

Even if the Police were able to recruit enough officers who did fit the original standards, today's Police officer often has to rely more on brains than brawn.

But changing standards pose problems of their own. The Police Core Functions Review contained concerns about female officers running into trouble in crowds and having to call for back-up, while lack of fitness can also result in humiliation and ineffectiveness.

Gary Hunter, the 44-year-old rejected by the Police after twice failing the fitness test, falls into this category. The former US Marine said older candidates should not be held to the same standards as younger recruits.

But the Police have reduced the standards; a candidate who comes within ten percent of the pass rate is given another chance to succeed, as Mr. Hunter was.

But at some point, the Police Service, like any organisation, must set some basic standards to ensure that all officers can meet the basic requirements of the Service.

An officer who cannot walk the beat, chase a suspect or defend him or herself when under attack is of little benefit to the service.

The Service is right in this case to defend its standards; the alternative is to have no standards at all, resulting in a service which is unable to perform even its basic mission.

A CLASS ACT EDT A class act Plans by the Visitor Industry Partnership to expand its outreach programme in the schools in order to encourage Bermudians to consider a career in the hospitality industry are to be welcomed.

Any efforts to show that working in tourism can be fun and exciting should be supported by the community because Bermuda's tourism product can only benefit from having highly motivated Bermudians in its ranks.

It is important for the VIP to show that service is not the same as servitude and that being a professional in the many different careers which tourism provides is something to be proud of, not to be sneered at.