Police Commissioner Jean-Jacques Lemay has hit out at criticisms over the sending of officers to help with the investigation into a shipping disaster in the Caribbean.

He said callers to a local radio phone-in programme had questioned the policy of sending help to the Turks and Caicos Islands, where a probe is underway into the capsizing of a Haitian vessel.

The vessel, which was believed to be carrying illegal immigrants, sank with six people drowning and others thought to be missing. It was thought to be on its way to the Providenciales, the Turks and Caicos' main tourist island.

Bermuda has sent five officers to the islands, a British dependent territory, including CID and Scenes of Crime, together with an acting detective inspector.

Three of the officers speak the French-based Creole tongue of Haiti, which will come in useful in interviewing survivors.

Mr. Lemay said critics had compared the mercy mission with a perceived lack of Parish constables on the Island -- something, he said, which could not possibly be seen alongside each other.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the new Warwick Parish Constables office, he said: "People say the number of Parish constables in the western area have been reduced, and why are we sending people to Turks and Caicos when we are lacking resources.

"The issue of sending people there is not related to what we are doing here.'' The boat, which capsized on Monday, was carrying around 100 people. It had been claimed that warning shots fired by the Turks and Caicos marine police may have struck the vessel.

He added that the trip was also a major benefit to the officers, giving them valuable experience outside of Bermuda.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for Bermuda, providing expertise,'' said the Commissioner. "By sending CID to assist with their inquiries they are going to gain expertise.'' The new Parish constables' station, based on Middle Road, Warwick, provides a base for constables and a contact point for the public.

The sunken vessel is to be raised and Bermudian officers will help examine it for bullet holes. In addition, it is expected that others will assist with interviewing the survivors.

RADIO RAO