Bermuda's former Police chief yesterday called for Government to bite the bullet and recruit overseas officers to bolster the Island's thin blue line.

And ex-Commissioner of Police Lennett (Lennie) Edwards warned that drives to drum up Bermudian recruits would not be enough to maintain manpower on the streets.

Mr. Edwards -- a 34-year Police veteran -- said: "We must put the Police Service first and the country first -- in this case, even before politics.

"Government has got to do what they've got to do -- even realising the sensitivity of it and the emotional issues.'' Mr. Edwards added: "I know that in the last few months or so, they had a major recruiting drive.

"I'm not privy to confidential matters, but I understand that it wasn't that great numberwise.

"But that's not surprising because, in order to keep standards high, you have to look for someone interested in a career as a Policeman with the necessary qualifications.'' And he said: "They're just not there -- and if we don't have them today, we won't have them tomorrow. And tomorrow is about ten years down the road.

"In the meantime, let's get on with policing our country -- Bermudianisation is going to come about anyway.'' Mr. Edwards spoke out in a rare public statement since he fought a gruelling but successful two-year battle against cancer.

He said Bermuda had recruited in Britain and the Caribbean for more than 30 years to keep the force up to strength.

Mr. Edwards added: "It's worked out in the past and could work out now -- politics has to go out the window on this occasion because the Police Service has to be above that.'' The ex-Commissioner quit the job in 1995 after three years in the Police hotseat.

He signed up as a constable in 1961 -- and became just the second Bermuda-born Commissioner in Bermuda's history.

Mr. Edwards took over the job as Bermuda grappled with recession -- leading to cuts in manpower by 57 officers, 489 to 432, the current establishment of the force, although the actual number is thought to be less.

He said: "I would think the new Government would explore as much as they can the possibility of getting Bermudians -- which we would all like to see.

"But it would appear they're just not there -- so, for the sake of public safety and security, they might have to bite the bullet and go abroad.'' He added: "From what I can gather, I think they have explored if even further than what was to be expected and they just don't have the people they would like to come into the Police force.'' Edwards: Recruit overseas officers Mr. Edwards said he had noticed a decline in public order over a period of time.

He added: "All you have to do is look at the streets -- they're wild. They don't have the manpower to put out there, so they're trying a psychological approach with publicity about things like radar traps and I don't think it's working.'' And he said the traffic section, motorcycle patrol unit and the narcotics and CID departments should be priorities for beefing up.

Mr. Edwards added that part of the problem was Bermuda's booming economy and alternative attractions like high-paying jobs in international business.

And he insisted: "The Police can't be a scapegoat in Bermudianisation -- although we all want to see that.'' Mr. Edwards also said axing the Police Cadets was a mistake -- even though numbers who went on to a full-time career in the regulars was small.

But he pointed out: "Even though there were a number who took the money and went off to college after three years, one hell of a lot came into this society serving Bermuda as lawyers or accountants.

"They're solid citizens, law-abiding and bring children up the same way -- the money was well-spent.

"They will all serve their country one way or another -- and just about all of the young men being promoted today came out of the Cadet system.''