Acting Police Commissioner Jean-Jacques Lemay is in line to take over the job full-time in April, The Royal Gazette can reveal.

A massive talent-spotting scheme for the force's senior officers is currently underway to identify Bermudians for the two top jobs in the force.

But it is understood that Governor Thorold Masefield, whose brief includes the Police, is set to offer the Mountie the reins of the force on a three-year contract.

And current Acting Deputy Commissioner Harold Moniz is set to be confirmed in that role.

It is planned that Mr. Lemay should be succeeded by a Bermudian officer identified through the extended interview scheme, designed to identify high-flyers and prepare them for command positions.

The news came after Labour and Home Affairs Minister Quinton Edness told Saturday's United Bermuda Party conference that an announcement on a Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner would be made "in the very near future.'' He told the party faithful: "We have a succession plan in place and this has been a morale booster.

"That is continuing and I believe in the future we will appoint an officer with special skills for the continuation of the succession plan.'' He added that interviews were being held and that an announcement from the Governor could be expected soon.

Mr. Edness declined to elaborate afterwards and referred any questions to Government House.

Lemay poised to become Police chief Deputy Governor Peter Willis was last night staying tight-lipped about the Governor's plans for the Police Service.

He said: "A final decision has not been made yet -- but a decision will be made around April.'' But it is understood that Mr. Lemay has emerged as front-runner for the top job -- if he chooses to accept it rather than return to Canada when his original 18-month stint is up this summer. The appointment is likely to be announced in April or early May after six months without a confirmed Commissioner.

Then-Deputy Commissioner Mr. Lemay took over on an acting basis after English officer Colin Coxall quit the top job in October last year, five months before his three-year contract expired.

Mr. Lemay joined the Bermuda service from one of the world's most famous forces, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, in January last year on an 18-month secondment. His time in Bermuda is due to be up in July.

Shortly after being sworn in by then-Governor Lord Waddington, he said one of his biggest priorities was identifying Bermudian candidates for the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner's posts.

Mr. Coxall resigned from the post after a series of clashes with Government.

He was credited with slashing crime rates -- but he drew fire after Environment Minister Irving Pearman was caught up in the undercover Operation Cleansweep.

Mr. Pearman came to the attention of Police after two men netted in the sweep were found to have cheques written by him.

The Minister insisted the cheques were payment for work around his Warwick home and denied any involvement in drugs. He was never charged with any offence.

But it was later said the resignation was due to "a longer-term erosion of confidence'' in Mr. Coxall.

POLICE OFFICERS HURT IN ATTACKS CRM POL Police officers hurt in attacks Two Police officers were attacked as they tried to make arrests in separate incidents on Friday night.

A policewoman suffered minor leg injuries after being punched and kicked when she confronted a youth on Devon Springs Road, Devonshire.

And a policeman was pushed in the chest by a 40-year-old man who had been threatening staff at a Reid Street restaurant.

A 33-year-old Devonshire man needed treatment for a head injury on Friday afternoon and claimed he was the victim of an unprovoked attack in his yard on Cedar Park Road.

Police said the man complained he was hit over the head with a piece of board and his attacker punched and kicked him.

Task Force officers also arrested a man for carrying a knife to the Southampton Rangers Club on Friday night.

JEAN-JACQUES LEMAY -- Canadian has been Acting Commissioner since October.