As the current Inspector General of Police approaches retirement, there is a growing competition among high-ranking officers to succeed him. The current IGP, who was appointed last year and confirmed in his position by the Police Council, is set to retire soon. However, there is uncertainty surrounding his retirement date due to a recent amendment to the Police Act, which could potentially extend his tenure.
The amendment, passed by the National Assembly, allows the President to extend the IGP’s tenure beyond the usual retirement age. This has created tensions within the police high command as officers from various ranks lobby intensively for the top position.
The fate of the current IGP depends on whether the President signs the amendment into law. There is a debate about whether the amendment should be retroactively applied to the current IGP. Additionally, the retirement dates of other high-ranking officers in the police force have been mentioned, further adding to the complexity of the situation.
The uncertainty surrounding the retirement age of the IG is not unprecedented, as similar issues have arisen in the past with previous IGs. The potential extension of the current IGP’s tenure has raised concerns among some officers about career progression and the overall structure of the police force.
Despite the ongoing developments, the Police Service Commission has supported the current IGP’s directive for officers eligible for retirement to voluntarily retire. The situation remains fluid as stakeholders await the President’s decision on the amendment.
Efforts to reach the Force Public Relations Officer for updates on the situation have been unsuccessful as of the time of writing.