Bermuda Police Service are farming out forensic and fingerprint jobs to civilians for the first time in the force's history.

Retirements and transfers have freed up three specialist Police jobs, now to be filled by non-officers.

The vacancies -- for two trainee fingerprint officers and a trainee scenes of crime officer -- were advertised last week with an applications closing date of February 17.

And force chiefs say the move to free up Police jobs will put more uniformed officers on the beat and on patrols.

Det. Insp. Howard Cutts, who runs the scenes of crime office, said the civilianisation plan put Bermuda's Police in step with forces around the world.

He added: "We have got to keep up with the times. These positions are civilianised in other jurisdictions all over the world.

"Certainly in the UK and the US, the trend is very much away from Police officers in scenes of crime and fingerprints. We have got an established force of 400-plus officers.

"And if you can put more Police on the streets to be visible or in parish constables' positions, instead of having them tucked away in other areas, the public can be more confident in their Police service.'' Candidates for the $41,000 jobs need an Associate's Degree in Physical Sciences, Forensic Science, Criminal Justice or a similar discipline.

They would also have to go through a five-year training programme, under the guidance of specialists, involving overseas courses and exams.

The trainees, piecing together evidence from crime scenes, photographs and post mortems, would then qualify to testify in court as "experts''.

Det. Insp. Cutts added: "These are specialist positions but there is no reason why they have to be done by Police officers if there are suitably qualified civilians.'' Both the fingerprint department and scenes of crime department are headed by supervisors who answer to Det. Insp. Cutts.

The fingerprint unit supervisor is a civilian, Ian Grant, who moved from Britain to fill the post -- equivalent to a Sergeant's position.

But Police are looking for Bermudians to fill the trainees' positions.

"The job descriptions were put together to attract Bermudians,'' added Det.

Insp. Cutts.

"The grading of the position is determined by Personnel Services, so it is nothing to do with the Police.

"But it is very similar to a constable's grade and once the trainee has qualified as an expert, and is considered by the court system to be an expert, the grading will be reviewed and command a bigger salary.

"If we don't attract Bermudians to apply for the posts then we will be very disappointed.

"But we are certainly confident that we will not have to look overseas to fill the positions.'' Former Police Commissioner Colin Coxall started the civilianisation plan to free up 80 officers and put them back on the beat.

Around 400 Police officers, ranked Constable to Chief Inspector, are due to be offered a 2.98 percent basic pay rise in this year's budget.

Discussions are already underway between Public Safety Minister Paula Cox and Police Association Chairman Sgt. Michael Jackman.

Constables currently start on $36,000, sergeants on $47,000, inspectors on $57,000 and chief inspectors on $63,000.