PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):

Police Commissioner Trevor Paul's stay in office is to be extended by one year because the Police Service Commission has been unable to find a suitable candidate to replace him.

Paul, who joined the service in June 1966, has reached the retirement age of 60 and was due to retire this Friday.

An amendment to the legislation governing the age of retirement making it possible for a one-year extension to be granted to the police commissioner was first done under the United National Congress (UNC) government in 1998.

Remain until replaced

Commissioner Paul has confirmed that he was asked to stay on adding that he will "remain in office until a suitable replacement is found".

Paul said he was unsure how long the process would take but admitted that he has accepted the proposal to remain in office. On Tuesday, President George Max-well Richards will officially make public the announcement of the extension.

Trinidad and Tobago has been advertising nationally, regionally and internationally for a replacement, but despite applications from the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States no suitable replacement has been found. The police service has already employed more than a dozen law enforcement personnel from Scotland Yard to assist in curbing crime here.

The police service under Paul's command has been criticised for failing to stem the increase in crime and violence across the country. So far the murder rate has crossed the 300 mark for the year.