If the Bermuda Police Service wants to reap the maximum benefit from a staff exchange with Scotland Yard, the British officers must be brought in as consultants and not as department heads, the PLP said yesterday.

Unless, added Shadow Home Affairs Minister Alex Scott, the local officers were allowed to head up departments at Scotland Yard.

Mr. Scott was reacting to the news the Police Service is contemplating an exchange of staff between Bermuda and the London Metropolitan Police.

Police Commissioner Colin Coxall has said two officers from Scotland Yard could be heading up local narcotics and training branches as early as next spring.

The officers would be part of an exchange scheme in which Narcotics Squad head Ch. Insp. George Jackson and training boss Ch. Insp. Jonathan Smith would spend six months in London learning about the latest policing and training methods.

But Mr. Scott said that while the exchange could have substantial benefits for both Police Services, he was concerned about the way the proposed sharing would be handled.

"My worry is that they are taking the head of our narcotics division, Ch.

Insp. Jackson, and sending him off for a training experience.

"I don't see it reported that he is leaving to head up a department in Scotland Yard operations.

"This leads me to ask the basis on which we are bringing these yet to be named Scotland Yard officers to Bermuda to head up our Narcotics division?'' Moreover, Mr. Scott said the Island could receive equal benefits if the UK officers came in and "observed, participated and consulted'' with their Bermudian counterparts.

"I can see problems if these officers are brought in to head up these departments,'' he continued.

"All this does is repeat the same scenario we have already seen when the Commissioner was brought to the island.

"The PLP has always said that Mr. Coxall could have better served Bermuda as a consultant.'' Mr. Scott added that local officers had more experience with the local drug scene because the Island had been grappling with the problem since the mid-1950s.

He said Bermudian officers already have the expertise about dealing with drugs on a small island and this could be passed on to the British officers once they are here.

"I don't want to see these British officers heading up any local departments unless it is also possible for our officers to do the same thing in the United Kingdom.

"I believe it is good for our officers to consult with them over in England and to see different methodology, but the same should be for the British officers.

"I would caution Government about bringing UK officers here and then putting them in charge. They do not know Bermuda because they are used to dealing in a European community.

"This exercise will teach them how to interact in a multi-cultural environment. For these reasons they should not head any department in Bermuda.

"What saddens me is the lack of consultation on the part of the Minister and Mr. Coxall,'' he continued.

"If the PLP was consulted we would have brought home these points. It is potentially very positive to have a cross-fertilisation of experiences but I get the feeling that someone, somewhere deems the Scotland Yard and the British to have the greater authority.

"They must realise that there is benefit and merit in both Police operations and we should see them as equals instead of looking to the United Kingdom as an authority and Bermuda as some little territory than can only learn.'' Alex Scott