The 20 fresh officers promised by Government for police will be recruits who have passed the first step in their qualifications.Public Safety Minister Michael Dunkley made the clarification after confirming that a pool of suitable candidates were “ready and eager” to start their Recruit Foundation Course later in the spring.Mr Dunkley said he expected this, along with another course later in the year, would bring in fresh talent to bolster police.The latest Budget allocated $2.3 million extra to the service, which will receive $71 million this fiscal year.He commended the service for “significantly reducing” overtime costs over the last two fiscal years.Entitlements for police officers will be examined under a renegotiation of the Conditions of Service Order for police.The Minister added that three-percent cuts to the “key areas” of the Bermuda Regiment and the Fire Service were “not ideal — but prudent decisions have been made.”The Fire Service was budgeted “pending the full implementation of a revised organisational structure and a new legislative platform”, he said.Useful website: www.police.bm.