Police commissioner Michael Desilva has urged the Bermuda Police Association to resolve its internal issues.

Mr DeSilva’s comments came after a heated BPA meeting on Monday that resulted in reports that its chairman, Raoul Ming, was removed from his position.

The commissioner acknowledged that the BPA and its executive committee were “working through some challenges”.

But he called on the association to solve its internal problems so they could return to the business at hand.

Mr Desilva said: “The Bermuda Police Association and its executive committee are working through some challenges.

“It is my hope that they resolve their internal issues as soon as possible so they can return to the business at hand: negotiating with the Bermuda Government to identify further measures to help reduce the operating costs of our police service without having to resort to more staffing cuts.”

A statement released by the BPA last night confirmed that Mr Ming had been replaced.

It stated: “The Bermuda Police Association would like to confirm there has been a change in the chairman of the BPA. The new chairman is Police Sergeant Andrew A. Harewood.

“We remain resolute in our focus which is to move forward with the business of the Bermuda Police Association and to protect the welfare of our members.”