*Not the actual Commissioner of Police hat
The position of Commissioner of Police (COP) is currently being advertised and there may be a few persons applying for this top post both locally and overseas.
The vacancy was first advertised on October 23, 2015 on the Government Information Service (GIS) website and the submission date has now been extended to November 13, 2015.
Errol Alexander, who was elevated to acting Commissioner of Police in March of this year, has not come forward to state whether he plans to apply for the position or not.
Alexander, who served previously as an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), under the leadership of outgoing COP Vernon Francois, has been a police officer for the past 30 years.
He is expected to commence his pre-retirement leave in April of 2016.
Asked whether he thinks someone from overseas should be selected to head the local police force, Alexander declined to comment stating that “I don’t want to prejudice the recruitment process.”
He said while there is no scientific evidence to prove that a foreigner will better serve in that position, he believes that the final decision will be left up to the persons responsible for selecting the next COP.
Alexander was placed as acting COP after Francois was sent on leave following a public address made by Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony on the findings of the IMPACS report.
It was reported that the authorities were looking to send a few senior police officials on early retirement, following the revelations from the report of alleged extra-judicial killings back in 2010-2011.
Francois headed what was dubbed “Operation Restore Confidence” which saw an unprecedented cut down in violent crime, resulting in the fatal shooting of 12 suspects during that same period.
In early September 2015, Francois made a request for early retirement, after months of being sent on leave. The request was forwarded to the Public Service Commission for a decision.
According to the vacancy notice, the applicant must have a master’s degree in management, business administration, Law or a related discipline with at least 8 years experience in a senior management position within a Police Force.
If the application does not possess such qualifications, he/she must have a bachelor’s degree in management or criminal justice plus diploma or certificate in public administration or a related discipline with at least ten (10) years experience in a senior management position within a Police Force.
He/she must also have a minimum of twelve (12) years leadership experience in operational and organizational policy function. It was also noted in the vacancy notice that preference will be given to candidates who have completed a senior command course.
The remuneration package being offered for the post of COP is EC$117,936.00 per annum.
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