The appointment of a Bermudian Police Commissioner has moved closer to reality after three local officers were promoted to the top of the service.

But the event threatened a political row between the Public Safety Minister and her UBP Shadow over who should take credit for the promotions.

At a ceremony at Police headquarters at Prospect yesterday Chief Inspectors Gertrude Barker, Jonathan Smith and George Jackson were promoted to the rank of Superintendent.

The appointments mean there are now six Bermudians in the top seven ranks of the Service.

Commissioner Jean-Jacques Lemay, remains the only ex-patriate officer in the top flight. Deputy Commissioner Harold Moniz is Bermudian while third in command, Assistant Commissioner Alan Bissell, has Bermudian status.

Of the four Superintendents in the next tier of officers, two are Bermudian-born while the other two have Bermudian status.

At yesterday's ceremony, Public Safety Minister Paula Cox said the promotions show Government's intention to fill the top post with a Bermudian.

And she also implied that such an appointment could be on the cards very shortly. Commissioner Lemay's contract with the service is set to expire in two years' time.

"This is certainly a feel good day for myself. The Ministry of which I am in charge is not always the bearer of good news so today is special,'' she said.

But later Shadow Minister Michael Dunkley pointed out that the three officers, and many others, had won several promotions during the UBP's tenure.

And he highlighted the fact that two of the officers had been sent on extensive overseas training programmes two years ago -- under a UBP Government -- in a bid to Bermudianise the higher ranks of the service.

"I am very pleased to see that these three officers have been promoted,'' Mr.

Dunkley said.

"I believe that Gertrude Barker is the first woman Superintendent in Bermuda and I congratulate all three. But I don't think politics should get involved in these promotions. "These three and others officers have been promoted all the way through under the UBP and for the PLP to say that they have fast tracked these promotions... I think most people would find that a bit unbelievable.

Supt. Gertrude Barker Supt. Jonathan Smith Supt. George Jackson APPOINTMENTS APP