retiring, Police confirmed this week.

But a recent spate of departures from Special Branch is a coincidence, Police spokesman Insp. Roseanda Jones told The Royal Gazette .

Insp. Oliver Bain is about to retire after 20 years in Special Branch and has been named executive officer of the United Bermuda Party.

And Supt. Andrew Bermingham retired in September, 1994 after 23 years in Special Branch. He had headed the branch since 1984.

Chief Insp. Butterworth, who is only 47, had taken command of Special Branch from Supt. Bermingham, but is now due to retire in April.

He said it was "just coincidental,'' that three senior officers were retiring from Special Branch in quick succession.

"Mine is a personal decision,'' he said. "I've had 25 years (in the Police) and I'm looking to do something else.'' He spent the last 22 years with Special Branch and said yesterday he was still weighing his options on what to do next.

When he assumed command of Special Branch last year, he had not yet decided whether he would retire this year, he said.

Insp. Jones had no word on his successor.

The recent departures were not a sign of problems in Special Branch, she said.

"That department functions very well. People get up to their 25 years, and then they try to decide: `Do I make a move now, while I'm still employable?'''