• The Police budget has been cut from $62.8 million to $60.5 million this year. The amount slashed — $2.3 million — amounts to less than four percent of the 2008/09 Police budget.

• The reduction includes a $941,000 cut in training, which includes $340,000 from the Police cadet programme (reducing the number of cadets budgeted for from 20 to ten, though the Island actually only has three) and $300,000 for safety vests (which was not needed as 85 percent of them were replaced last year).

• The $1 million reduction in the central area command includes $932,000 less in the overtime budget (which still stands at $2.4 million — the equivalent of 28 full-time officers).

• Ten posts are not being funded in the serious crime unit, accounting for an $821,000 reduction there. Support is seconded from other areas in the force as needed.

• The budget includes a $1.3 million increase for housing allowances for Police officers.

• Bermuda Police Service has 467 officers (ten short of being at full strength) and 114 civilian staff.