Union boss and PLP MP Derrick Burgess has clashed with Public Safety Minister Paula Cox over the use of overseas Police officers in Bermuda.

Mr. Burgess insisted: "There is no need to go outside and bring in Policemen -- we can find these Policemen here.'' The Bermuda Industrial Union president was speaking after Ms Cox, who holds the Home Affairs and Public Safety portfolio, said she backed the recruitment of officers from outside Bermuda.

She stressed, however, that would only be in the absence of suitable Bermudian recruits and while on-Island hopefuls underwent appropriate training.

But Hamilton East MP Mr. Burgess called for a recruiting drive to get Bermuda Regiment soldiers to swap army greens for Police blue in a bid to boost the Island component in the Service instead of looking abroad.

He said: "I think the Regiment is a very good avenue to try and get these officers from.

"And I think it's very sad if we can't find 30 to 40 Bermudian Police officers.'' Mr. Burgess added that pay rates for Police should be increased to take account of their responsibility -- and to make a career on the force more attractive to young Bermudians.

He said: "If all else fails, if we've got to bring people in, we should bring them in for nine months and that's it.'' But he played down talk on division in the ranks of the new Government team.

Mr. Burgess said: "We're not split on this -- the role of the backbencher is that we are the eyes and ears of Ministers.

"That's our role -- to voice our opinions and the opinions of the people on the street.

"I'm not at odds with the Minister -- I'm advising the Minister.'' He added that the new Government had to be fully committed to Bermudianisation.

Mr. Burgess said: "The Government must take the lead in Bermudianisation -- this is what we should be doing and we should be doing it right away.

"We can't continue to follow the policies and the processes of the former UBP Government.'' Mr. Burgess said there were three issues which needed to be looked at in the Police Service -- unattractive wages, low morale and the "racial imbalance of the administrative staff.'' He added: "Police officers are underpaid for the amount of responsibility they're left with.

"We have officers now who are working two jobs in order to make ends meet.

And they have a highly stressful and demanding job as it is.'' Ms Cox was yesterday off the Island and unavailable for comment.

Derrick Burgess Graphic file name: DERBUR