A shake-up at the top is coming next year – with the positions of Auditor General, Commander of the Regiment, Chief Justice and possibly Commissioner of Police all up for renewal.

The issue of who gets appointed to the high-profile positions is likely to spark debate and possibly even controversy if past experience is anything to go by.

Governor Sir Richard Gozney gave a run-down of the jobs that will come up next year during yesterday's Throne Speech, prompting John Barritt of the United Bermuda Party to ponder: "It's the first time in my 16 years as a Member of Parliament that I've heard a Governor speak for as long as the Governor did. I was wondering the reason he was pointing this out other than to make us aware that these are decisions that we as a country are facing next year and that he wishes to hear people's opinions.

"I don't know what he had in mind in cataloguing that list – to raise anxiety levels, or to get the public thinking, or both?"

His party colleague Shawn Crockwell said he hoped political views and a desire for "Bermudianisation" at the top do not hamper the process of picking the best people for the jobs.

"We can't appoint people to appease political pressure – we have to do what's in the best interests of the country," he warned.

Sir Richard said during the speech: "The initial term of the Chief Justice (Richard Ground) is up in March and I expect to make an announcement before too long, after consulting the Premier and Opposition Leader."

Justice Ground's contract was for five years effective from March 2004. During that appointment process, then Premier Alex Scott backed local judge Norma Wade Miller for the position, but Governor Sir John Vereker appointed Englishman Mr. Ground instead.

That prompted Mr. Scott to complain that the way Britain selected the top judge was a return to "a colonial model which we thought had been relegated to history".

Mr. Crockwell said yesterday : "I would love to see Justice Richard Ground remain based on his command of the law, based on how he's effectively run the courts since he took up that position. Because we're a financial jurisdiction it's important people see our judicial system as being sound and effective.

"That doesn't mean his successor will not be as successful but when you have someone as credible and effective as Justice Richard Ground it would be a shame to see him leave. "

Auditor General Larry Dennis will retire in late summer next year after more than 30 years as the Government's independent financial watchdog.

Mr. Dennis, 64, has had a stormy time of it lately. His office was raided twice last year by Police officers hunting for a missing dossier relating to the investigation of alleged corruption at the Bermuda Housing Corporation.

In the first swoop, Police also searched his home and detained him for 24 hours. His bail was lifted last December after detectives "exhausted their inquiries". In July this year, Mr. Dennis called for greater autonomy for his office and complained about increased political inference.

Mr. Crockwell said: "The biggest issue with the Auditor General is independence. Will the person who succeeds be as independent or be beholden to the Government? There's no doubt that Larry Dennis was extremely hard on the UBP Government as well... he's been admirably independent and aggressive on both Governments. If we don't get an independent Auditor General, democracy is challenged."

Sir Richard also revealed that after the recent appointments of new Deputy Police Commissioner Mike DeSilva and Assistant Commissioner Mike Jackman, other senior appointments will follow in due course.

He has previously revealed that he could ask Police Commissioner George Jackson to retire next year as part of a shake-up at the top of the Bermuda Police Service, commenting in September: "I would much rather see the senior levels of the Bermuda Police Service staffed by those within the Service, by people of the Island – either Bermudians or long-term residents, because I think the change and development they can bring to the Service would be very long-lasting."

Mr. Crockwell said he understands the desire to promote from within and have a Bermudian in charge, but the most important thing is making sure that person is someone who can tackle key issues such as gang violence and unsolved high-profile crimes.

"Right now we have a Police department that does not have the confidence within the community that it needs to have," he observed. "We need the best available person to get us on the right track."

The Governor also announced yesterday: "With the advice of the Defence Board I shall also be looking to appoint a new Commanding Officer of the Bermuda Regiment, who could if necessary lead them to repeat their invaluable clearing up on Grand Turk after a Caribbean hurricane this summer."

The current Regiment Commander, Lt. Col. William White assumed the position in May 2006. Under the Bermuda Regiment Governor's Orders 1993, the tenure of the Commanding Officer is a minimum of two years and no more than three years – although the Governor can extend it to five in exceptional circumstances.