Politicians should stop using the Police Service as a political pawn and let officers get on with their jobs, its rank and file members said yesterday.

The Police Association hit out after weeks of controversy surrounding the restructuring of the Service and the redundancies of Assistant Commissioner Mr. Wayne Perinchief and Supt. George Rose.

But their stance was immediately attacked by Shadow Home Affairs Minister, Alex Scott, who said the Association was "irrelevant''.

Police Commissioner Mr. Colin Coxall outlined his vision for the Service in a strategy launched earlier this year.

Mr. Perinchief and Supt. Rose are victims of the shake-up which was further reinforced yesterday when Mr. Coxall unveiled further restructuring.

But the moves have met with criticisms -- mainly from Mr. Scott who was furious that Mr. Coxall held a Press conference yesterday before the Strategy was due to be debated in the House of Assembly.

The Police Association represents officers from Police constables to Chief Inspectors and backs the Commissioner's sweeping changes.

However, in a move that reflects increasing concern over political interference, they issued a statement yesterday asking politicians to leave the Service alone.

Association vice chairman, Det. Con. Robin Sherwood said: "We wish to state in the strongest of terms that our membership requests that those who wish to further their political agenda by the use of the name of the Police Service as a political pawn cease from doing so.

"We as an Association hold no political agenda and our support of the Strategy as presented by the Commissioner is simply for the betterment of policing in this community generally.'' It is thought the Association wants officers to be allowed to get on with their jobs without interference.

Last night, Mr. Scott denounced the Association's stance declaring it was "irrelevant''. He said: "They do not represent the rank and file of Police officers.

"I know a large number of officers who would not agree with it -- the Association did not canvass their ranks when they made that statement. I give no credence to the Police Association.'' Mr. Scott said he has also paid no attention to the new changes announced by Mr. Coxall yesterday. He had wanted the announcement postponed until after the House debate.

"I did not even bother listening to it. The Perinchief and Rose affair shows his (Mr. Coxall's) cavalier approach to going ahead despite the fact Parliament was debating his Strategy. He is making faux pas after faux pas.'' Yesterday, Mr. Coxall unveiled his new Bermuda Police Service structure which essentially splits the Service into two areas of management and crime fighting.

A management support department will be headed by Supt. Alan Bissell overseeing areas such as finance, technology and planning. The post is to be civilianised in the future and Supt. Bissell will be redeployed.

An enlarged community relations department will be headed by acting Chief Insp. Gertrude Barker -- responsible for crime and drug prevention, road safety, schools and media relations.

A new inspectorate is being formed, under acting Chief Insp. Roger Brydon, who will focus on standards and a civilian human resources manager will be put into place concentrating on recruitment, welfare and career development.

On the operations -- or crime fighting side -- Supt. Campbell Simons takes control of the Central Police Station. Chief Insp. Larry Smith -- who is suing Mr. Coxall -- takes over at Western Division, and Chief Insp. Vendel Bridgeman takes over at Eastern Division.

A specialist CID department is being set up, led by Det. Supt. Vic Richmond and acting Chief Insp. Legay Farley who will head a major inquiries section.

Det. Supt. Richmond's deputy will be Det. Chief Insp. Norrell Hull. Det. Chief Insp. George Jackson will head narcotics and will be backed by Insp. Roseanda Jones, who moves from media relations. Insp. Jonathan Smith continues in the "vital'' role of training.

The moves by Insp. Jones and acting Chief Insp. Barker shatter the perceived `glass ceiling' which in the past have prevented women being promoted above the rank of Inspector.

Money is also being invested in upgrading Police stations - especially Somerset which Mr. Coxall described as the worst he had seen.

All the moves will come into effect on January 2 - and although no date has been set for the redundancy of Mr. Perinchief and Mr. Rose they will effectively be redundant from that date.

It is also hoped that between 10 and 15 Police officers will be moved back onto the beat early next year as posts are civilianised - with the backing of Government which has given its cash support to the plans.

Mr. Coxall said: "I have had encouraging feedback. I met with officers and the hall was packed with about 200. The feedback I heard was that they wanted to move forward.'' He added: "We are giving the people of Bermuda a better crack of the whip and a better service from the Police. I do not believe they have had the best value for money in the past.'' Last night Home Affairs Minister Quinton Edness, said he fully supported Mr.

Coxall and the plans he had outlined.

"Mr. Coxall and his deputy, Michael Mylod, are doing a very good job and working very hard to get the force into shape within the time frame that they have.

"I support, wholeheartedly, the Police Association. When it comes to crime and the Police there is no place for politics.''