Opposition Senate Leader Kim Swanhas called for a rethink of the shift patterns for Police officers, claiming many are overworked and unable to perform consistently at their best.

Speaking during Wednesday?s Senate Budget debate, Sen. Swan also said it was up to the Police to ensure greater job-satisfaction as the best Police officers are ?long-serving ones?, who get to know their ?beat? intimately and can easily interact with members of the community.

And while he appreciated that policing is becoming more specialised, with a greater need for undercover, plain-clothes officers, it was important Police maintained a visible presence on Bermuda?s streets.

?From the people who I talk to, I think it is clear that the stress levels of our Police officers are increasing,? he said.

?Some are being made to work six or seven days on the trot which is unrealistic. Time off and proper recuperation are important to help maintain the standards of service that has to be delivered.?