No extension for Snaggs

Police Commissioner Everald Snaggs will officially retire from the Police Service next Wednesday. He will celebrate his 60th birthday one day after his retirement, and sources revealed yesterday that Gov-ernment has not offered any extension to the retiring cop. The only retiring Commissioner who was offered an extension and accepted was Kenny Mohammed. This was done under the UNC admiistration. Sources revealed yesterday that the next senior officer in the executive, Deputy Co-mmissioner Trevor Paul, will act as Com-missioner from next Thursday.

Sources at the Police Service Com-mission revealed that Paul’s name has already been forwarded to Prime Minister Patrick Manning for his consideration of DCP Paul to the post. The appointment of Commissioner is made by the Police Service Commission, but is subjected to consultation with the Prime Minister in accordance with the constitution. The Prime Minister has the power to veto the choice. Senior police officers said yesterday that they are all supporting Paul as the next Commissioner, and added that any attempts to bring in a person outside the Police Service will be met with strong resistance.

Senior officers also refused to support any atempts to bypass DCP Paul and place a person who is junior to Paul in the post. Political sources revealed that the likelihood exists where a person junior to Paul could be considered for the post of Com-missioner, but this all depends on the reaction of the executive of the Police Service. Paul joined the Police Service on June 1, 1966. He was also a former president of the Police First Division Officers Association. On November 10, 2007, Paul will retire from the Police Service. If Paul is elevated to Commissioner, ACP Oswyn Allard will be promoted to Deputy Commissioner. The other DCP Is Glen Roach.