50 over the last two years.

The slimming down comes as the Police prepare for major changes following the Judge Stephen Tumim report.

Yesterday Police Commissioner Mr. Lennett (Lennie) Edwards revealed that developments in the pipeline included: A policy statement to officers over booking of youngsters for minor traffic offences.

Boosting work in the community.

Widening the Police Primary School liaison scheme.

Beefing up the system of parish constables, which was hit by increased street violence in the late '80s.

Mr. Edwards also said he welcomed Judge Tumim's proposal for an independent Police complaints body.

"I would be only too pleased, because it would remove a yoke around our necks. I agree there is public disbelief in the current system.'' And Mr. Edwards backed a move to introduce video cameras and tape recorders for interviews, although he warned it would be expensive.

Additional space would also have to be found in some Police stations to provide proper interview rooms fitted with the equipment.

"I think Judge Tumim's report is very positive, and I think the recommendations can be implemented.

"I look forward to working with the committee set up to implement them.'' He added: "I personally see this as a very exciting time. These are changing times.'' Mr. Edwards said the further job cuts were being brought on by Government cash contraints.

But he pointed out about 20 new recruits would also be coming into the force through the basic training scheme starting on February 1.

"It's a matter of getting the right balance.'' On the Tumim report, Mr. Edwards said he believed parents could play a major role in helping Police relations with the Island's young.

Currently, too many parents blamed the Police when their youngsters came into conflict with the law.

"They ring up, and threaten to contact their lawyer or the press.'' Added Mr. Edwards: "Parents are going to have to get involved and the education department is also going to have to get involved.

"I think to better relations with the young we are going to have to work with parents in particular.'' Mr. Edwards agreed traffic laws were a major source of conflict with teenagers -- as stressed by Judge Tumim.

And he hinted Police officers may be urged to use their discretion more often when booking people.

"A Police statement on bookings will probably be sent out,'' he said.

Mr. Edwards, however, stressed Police were not about to ease up on crime, and he was keen not to give the wrong signals.

He pointed out bike thefts, for instance, were a major problem.

Last year, 1,168 cycles were stolen, causing a $2,336,400 insurance headache.

Some 567 bikes were recovered.

Mr. Edwards suggested young people often resorted to theft to get spare parts.

"How can I magically prevent this? God knows I would like to minimise conflict with the young.'' Mr. Edwards said he had spoken with Mr. Dale Butler, principal of St. George's Secondary about improving Police relations with the young.

Ideas from the meeting included broadening the Police Primary School liaison scheme, with cadets going to school and participating in reading classes.

The need to return to the old system of parish constables had also been discussed.

Said Mr. Edwards: "We would like to do that. The problem was that with more and more youngsters congregating on the streets, we had to replace constables with Police task forces.

"There was an increase in drugs and violence, and constables were in danger of being attacked.'' He added: "We would like to return to the same footing as before.'' Mr. Edwards was dismissive about suggestions in the Judge Tumim report of Police treating whites and blacks differently.

There was no evidence to support it -- although people did have such perceptions, he admitted.

"I think it is just a convenient hook for some people to hang everything on.'' Mr. Edwards also defended the make-up of the Police -- evenly split between Bermudians, Britons, and West Indians.

"I think it works well, providing checks and balances.'' Although Bermudianisation within the Police was an ideal to work towards, there was a problem, explained Mr. Edwards.

There was a tendency for Bermudian officers to be either over lenient towards offenders, or too heavy-handed.

"It's because we are a small community, and peer pressure may be brought to bear on some officers. We don't want any Johnny Populars.''