Mr. Lennett (Lennie) Edwards has bowed to years of pressure from his men.

It is believed to be the first time Bermuda's Police have taken such a step.

And it puts them in line with other emergency services and Government departments.

One reason for the policy change was to stop officers leaving the force because they want a second job to boost their pay.

Yesterday Supt. Alan Bissell said he believed only a few men had so far applied for out-of-hours work.

"I would say less than 20 have done so.'' He added: "I have been on the force 30 years and have never known us allowed to do another job.

"I think it probably is the first time in Bermuda this has happened.'' Pressure to alter the policy has come over the last six years from the Police Association.

The association represents officers up to the rank of Chief Inspector.

It has battled for change during contract talks with Government.

Now a key clause in the contract has been altered to let officers top up pay with part-time work, such as driving taxis.

It applies to all Bermudian officers, or anyone else who gets permission from the Immigration Department.

Said Supt. Bissell: "The matter came up periodically during negotiations on our two-year agreement.

"Now the Commissioner has agreed to the change. This happened earlier in the year -- January, I think.'' He added: "Over the years we have lost a number of Bermudians to other Government departments who have got a second job facility.

"I think this was one of the reasons for the change. I also gather the Police Association wanted the same provision as the Fire and Ambulance services and Customs.'' Supt. Bissell said changing the policy had been resisted because it was felt Policemen had a "24 hours a day'' job.

Police spokesman P.c. Gary Venning said officers could work part-time anywhere -- except on licensed premises.

INFLATION RATE UP FIN The annual inflation rate for February was 2.3 percent, an increase of 0.1 percent due mainly to increases car and gas prices.

Latest Government figures are for the 12 months to February.

Car prices were up 1.6 percent and gas two percent, while household appliances and services advanced by 0.3 percent.

Over the counter medicine prices were up 1.5 percent, although the fuel and power sector was down by 2.2 percent.

Prices for liquor, tobacco and liquor were all up by 0.1 percent.