Four suspended Policemen, two ousted prison officers and a sick fireman have netted almost three quarters of a million dollars in salaries and pay-offs between them.

The figure was revealed yesterday by Randolph Horton, Minister of Labour, Home Affairs and Public Safety, in response to a Parliamentary question tabled by Shadow Home Affairs Minister Michael Dunkley.

One of the suspended Police officers has been off work on 66 percent pay for more than three and a half years, while the firefighter has been on sick leave for more than four years on full pay ? a situation Mr. Dunkley has slammed as "unacceptable".

Mr. Horton told the House that 'Officer One' ? understood by to be suspended Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Crockwell, accused of stealing $35,000 from two men ? has been paid $57,511 since his suspension on February .

Det. Chief Insp. Crockwell, who is the subject of court proceedings, is receiving 66 percent of his regular salary plus a combined allowance. The Minister revealed that 'Officer Two' ? believed by to be narcotics detective Clifford Roberts, suspended in May 2002 amid drugs allegations ? has been paid $147,745 since then.

The third officer ? named by sources as P.c. Oneika Wainwright who was said to have been suspended in August 2002 over a drugs allegation ? has been paid $135,555 on three quarters pay.

A fourth officer, understood to be P.c. Anthony Thomas, suspended over an assault allegation since May 2004, has been paid $106,243 on full pay.

Meanwhile a firefighter who has been on what Mr. Horton described as long-term sick leave on full pay since September 2001 and named by sources as Nikai Pearson, has received $170, 587.

Former Prison Commissioner, Colonel John Prescod, who had his contract terminated early last year, was paid $88,480 in salary and vacation leave entitlement.

Former Assistant Prison Commissioner Randall Woolridge, who retired early, has been handed $32,432 in leave entitlement plus "a lump sum payment and the monthly pension to which he is entitled," according to Mr. Horton.

In response to a question from Mr. Dunkley about what process was in place to review the position of the officers, Mr. Horton replied: "All the normal processes are in place. In the Police service the officer's cases are reviewed and a resolution will come."

He added that it is anticipated that a resolution will come within the next six months and also noted: "In the case of the Bermuda Fire Service I hope every day that that one is resolved."

Mr. Dunkley later told : "I tabled the question because I was aware that these suspensions in the Police service go back almost four years and I've not been able to get any information on why they have not been resolved yet. The answer was quite startling. You have a hard time getting information from this government and when you get it it shows that a lot of money is being spent on things.

"In the past few weeks we have heard that the African Diaspora Conference cost $162,000, the Bermuda Independence Commission Report cost $338,000 and there was another $1.5 million for renovating Clifton for the Premier.

"Now this answer shows that the government had whittled away money on suspensions with no apparent time frame set for when the matters are going to be resolved.

"I was disturbed that when I asked about a time frame for the resolution the Minister said he had no idea. We are whistling Dixie while Rome burns. Some of these suspensions might be quite right and some might be quite wrong but there is no excuse for having two suspended Police officers for more than three years .

"We have also not got to the bottom of the total amount paid to Mr. Woolridge as the Minister has not said what the lump sum amount was.

"This government has no transparency and is prepared to waste almost $750,000 of taxpayers' money to suspend people without any resolution. This is quite unacceptable."

Mr. Horton was unavailable for comment at went to press.