KINGSTON, Jamaica:
Police Commissioner Owen Ellington is to retire from the Jamaica Constabulary Force after 34 years as a member.

A statement from the National Security Ministry says Ellington will proceed on vacation leave tomorrow, Tuesday July 1.

The Ministry says the National Security Minister, Peter Bunting has been advised of the Commissioner’s request to retire after his vacation ends.

However, the ministry did not say when the retirement will take effect.

Why Ellington is retiring
According to the National Security Ministry, Commissioner Ellington has decided to retire in order to separate himself from the leadership and management of the police force before the start of the Commission of Enquiry into the conduct of the operations of the security forces in Western Kingston and other areas during the 2010 State of Emergency.

In addition, the ministry says he believes it will allow the Independent Commission of Investigations to conduct its probe into the police death squad matter in Clarendon.

Some of the killings happened while Ellington was the Police Commissioner and the Ministry says he believes his retirement will allay any perception of influence or interference.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Glenmore Hinds has been appointed to act Police Commissioner starting tomorrow while the Police Service Commission commences the process of appointing a replacement.