Government House won?t reveal how many people applied for the post of Commissioner of Police after the deadline passed last month.

Deputy Governor Nick Carter said that Commissioner Jonathan Smith?s replacement should be known by the end of this month.

Mr. Smith (pictured) will step down in December after five years in the job.

Deputy Commissioner George Jackson and Assistant Commissioner Carlton Adams are tipped to be in the running for the $137,341-a-year post, along with Superintendents Roseanda Jones and Sinclair White.

It is understood that the process for selecting a new Commissioner will follow a similar track to that used to select Chief Justice Richard Ground last year.

With the agreement of the Public Service Commission, the post was advertised and the candidates will now go before an interview panel chaired by Mr. Carter. Other members of the panel include a senior police officer from overseas and Mr. Smith, although he is serving in an ex-officio capacity and does not have a say in recommending his successor. The panel will make a recommendation to Governor Sir John Vereker who will then appoint a successor. The Commissioner of Police is one of the posts reserved for selection by the Governor under the Constitution. Other posts include the Chief Justice, the Auditor General and the Director of Public Prosecutions.