Shadow Home Affairs and Public Safety Minister Michael Dunkley yesterday slapped the cuffs on a union boss who wants to block the recruitment of overseas Police officers.

And Mr. Dunkley said: "This is extremely short-sighted -- we need to put public safety first.

"Bermudianisation is a priority, but we cannot sacrifice the safety of the public.'' Mr. Dunkley said he supported a review of the manpower levels of the force and the principle of Bermudians in blue.

But he added: "Most people agree the Police seems to be short-staffed at the moment.'' Mr. Dunkley pointed out that the Island had "pretty much full employment'' and many businesses and organisations were experiencing difficulties in recruiting staff.

He said: "Even more difficult is finding qualified staff and the Police are suffering from that too.'' Mr. Dunkley blasted back after BIU chief Derrick Burgess clashed with Home Affairs and Public Safety Minister Paula Cox.

She admitted that the Island may still have to look overseas for Police officers in some circumstances.

But Mr. Burgess, also a PLP MP for Hamilton East, insisted there was no rift between him and Ms Cox on the issue of Bermudians on the force.

But he added that Government had to take the lead in Bermudianisation "right away.'' He said there was "no need'' to go outside the Island for "30 to 40 officers.'' And Mr. Burgess suggested a recruiting drive among Bermuda Regiment soldiers to boost Police manpower.

He added that pay rates for Police should be boosted to increase the attractiveness of a Police career and to reflect the responsibility of the job.

And he said -- if overseas officers were still needed to bolster the blue line -- they should be recruited for only nine months.

But Mr. Dunkley pointed out that nine-month contracts would not attract the quality of staff the service needed -- if it attracted anyone at all.

UBP MP supports overseas recruiting He said: "Even if we could get them on those terms, we would have to pay a massive premium to get people to come here for that period of time.'' Mr. Dunkley added that the basic rate of pay for a newly-qualified officer was "certainly sufficient'' in relation to comparable professions.

And he said: "Maybe some of the problems we have had is because we are short-staffed and rushing people through.'' Mr. Dunkley added: "Maybe people aren't staying in one place long enough, either.''