Governor Sir John Vereker could announce as early as next week who will take over the position of Deputy Police Commissioner when George Jackson's contract expires later this year.

Three serving Police officers have been interviewed for the position by Deputy Governor Nick Carter and a panel, including members of the Public Service Commission, and a recommendation has already been agreed upon.

But the Governor is off the Island and not expected back until tomorrow, so it will be Monday before he can be briefed.

However, The Royal Gazette understands the three candidates are Deputy Commissioner George Jackson, Supt. Sinclair White and Supt. Larry Smith.

On Wednesday, Deputy Governor Nick Carter would not specify who the three candidates were for the post, but confirmed they were all serving Police officers.

“We have made our decision and the Governor is back on Saturday, so I hope one of the first things he will look at is the recommendation. An announcement could be made next week,” said Mr. Carter.

“The Governor always intended that we would not be caught out when the contract ran out, so it will be dealt with well before then.”

Mr. Jackson was appointed to the position on a three-year contract at the end of 2000, just before Police Commissioner Jonathan Smith and Assistant Commissioner Carlton Adams also took over their roles.

Those positions are also to be re-advertised when they expire during the first few months of next year, however, that process has not yet begun.

The Governor and Public Service Commission will recruit for the position of Police Commissioner, but Government House has nothing to do with the post of Assistant.

However, Mr. Smith is likely to have his contract renewed for a further three years.

Each of the those three top Police positions are held as three-year contracts, with an option to renew by mutual agreement.

Government House previously stated when the contract of former Director of Public Prosecutions Khamisi Tokunbo came up for renewal earlier this year that it wanted to pit top civil servants on fixed contracts against new candidates when their contracts ran out to ensure the best person got the job.

On that occasion, however, Mr. Tokunbo did not reapply for the post.