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THE Police Service Commission (PSC) made a loud call for MPs to play no role in the appointment of its board members and in the appointment of the Commissioner of Police (CoP) and Deputy Commissioners.

This was stated in the PSC annual report 2024, laid in the House of Representatives in November, in a statement titled, Independence and the removal of perception of political patronage and influence. The recommendation also sought to raise the CoP's retirement age to 65 and his removal from the section 75 of the Police Service Act.

Under the heading, Extension of service, section 75 empowers the President of the Republic in relation to first division officers such as the CoP. "Where he (she) considers it in the national interest, extend the years of service of the police officer after he has reached the prescribed age of retirement, for a period of one year in the first instance and thereafter, subject to an annual review, for a maximum of two further periods of one year each."