Jean-Jacques Lemay and the Bermuda Police Association yesterday put on a show of unity.

And Police Association president Sgt. Michael Jackman pledged continued support for the Commissioner after an article published in Monday's Royal Gazette quoted Mr. Lemay saying there is "a need to change the minds of the Police service'' and that some of the officers "are just plain lazy''.

Mr. Lemay said he has taken to radio, sent e-mails to officers and met with the BPA where he provided an explanation for his comments.

"I have the highest respect for the men and women of the Bermuda Police Service.'' he said at a press conference called after the meeting.

The BPA's president admitted however that many officers who read the article were offended.

"I had a lot of calls about it,'' he said. "But my first reaction was that the Commissioner would not make a statement like that.

"We fully accept his proposal and support the Commissioner.'' he said.

The Commissioner claimed The Royal Gazette's headline was "sensationalist'' and claimed his statements were reported out of context.

In responding to a question from a concerned resident, the article quoted the Commissioner as saying "That officer is either ignorant or lazy.'' The Commissioner yesterday said he never used the word "ignorant'' on its own and held that in his reply to the resident, he may have said the officer "was ignorant of the law''.

Lemay, BPA in show of unity He said that after reading Monday's article, his major concern was the morale of the Police service and that he reassured front-line cops they have his support and commitment.

Also of concern to the Commissioner was the impact a dent in morale would make, given the severe staff shortage. He said he was disappointed the problem of staff shortages was not covered in the story and stressed the seriousness of the situation at yesterday's conference.

"We are stretching to the limit'', he said.

The Commissioner also said delays in Police response to emergency calls could be blamed on the shortage: "We would love to answer all calls right away but we cannot.'' Placing responsibility for rectifying the problem squarely in the hands of Government, the Commissioner revealed that he is still waiting to hear if he will be allowed to recruit officers from overseas.

The Police service is currently 40 officers below strength and officers have said the deficiency is resulting in service "being spread too thinly''.

The Commissioner acknowledged residents have a right to expect prompt service and should not have to be concerned about how much other work Police have to attend to.

The sentiment was echoed by Sgt. Jackman, who stressed the importance of the relationship between the Commissioner and officers.

He described the manpower shortage as a critical issue the Association is having to grapple with and sought to assure the public that officers in the Police service are not lazing about, but are "dedicated to providing a high level of service''.

Making up: Police Commissioner Jean-Jacques Lemay and Police Association president Sgt. Michael Jackman address Mr. Lemay's recent remarks about "lazy'' officers.