Acting Senior Magistrate Edward King and Director of Public Prosecutions Khamisi Tokunbo yesterday rounded on no-show Policeman who were causing court cases to collapse.

And Mr. Tokunbo said it might be necessary for warrants to be issued to make sure officers took their duties more seriously.

The scolding occurred in Magistrates' Court when Mr. King had to dismiss a speeding case.

Laurie Furbert, 28, from Westering Lane, Warwick had denied speeding at 61 kph on Kindley Field Road on November 14 last year but officers were not present to prosecute the case.

Mr. King said: "It's now reaching epidemic proportions. It's a waste of time.

"And the inconvenience caused to defendants in some instances means they lose money because they come to court and find there are no Police officers so the case can't go ahead.

"I have a catch phrase. It is the duty of Her Majesty's Director of Public Prosecutions to prosecute and to ensure that Her Majesty's subjects are not unduly inconvenienced or put to expense over the case through the faults of the prosecution.

"The application for the adjournment of this case is rejected.'' Prosecutor Graveney Bannister had earlier asked for the case to be adjourned.

Mr. King said certain officer seem to make it a habit of not turning up.

He said he was reminded of a Peter Woolcock cartoon in The Royal Gazette featuring himself, the Police Commissioner and then Attorney General Elliot Mottley passing the ball over who was to blame for the problem.

He said if it turned into a medicine ball which landed on the Director of Public Prosecutions' foot then he would have to take the matter up with the Police.

"Let the two come together to say what's going to happen.'' said Mr. King.

"This case is dismissed for want of prosecution.'' Mr. Tokunbo, who was observing the case, sat impassively during Mr. King's speech before rising to make an impromptu speech.

He said: "With your assistance I am sure we will get the message covered by making public announcements like you did. My office is constantly embarrassed by officers not turning up.

"The Police used to be the Police Force, now they are the Police Service.

"Now there is a lack of discipline. Officers take cases lightly, certainly in traffic matters.

"I have written to senior officers complaining but unfortunately nothing has happened.'' He said it might be necessary to issue "warrants to Police officers''.

"So when they don't appear we could ask them to issue it.'' Mr. Tokunbo thanked Mr. King for his pronouncement. Mr. King said: "It wasn't planned. There was no conspiracy between us.'' Mr. Tokunbo agreed with Mr. King.

A Police spokeswoman said: `We will be looking into the reasons behind the non-appearance of officers in this case.

"And we are prepared to take whatever steps necessary to address the situation.'' Khamisi Tokunbo