ST JAMES, Jamaica — Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Steve McGregor has thrown his hat into the ring to become a successor to retiring Commissioner George Fitzroy Quallo, whose final day in office is today.

McGregor, who made the disclosure in St James this afternoon, said he is a prime candidate for the immediate succession plan.

“I will tell you this, that I am a prime candidate for the immediate succession plan and I am going to be here.

“Steve McGregor is going to continue to impact what is going on in our country. Because I am one who is stepping up as a leader, because we need more leaders to lead our country in the right way,” the senior policeman told students and teachers of eight schools in attendance at a St James high school Grade 11 Empowerment Seminar and Mock Interview held at the Hilton Rose Hall Resort and Spa in the parish.

If given the job as the 29th commissioner since 1867, McGregor, at age 54, would have six years in the job before retirement.

McGregor currently heads the JCF’s Community Safety and Security Branch. He previously headed the Kingston Central, Kingston Western, St Thomas, and St James police divisions, as well as the Motorised Patrol Division.

Quallo, who took office on Tuesday, April 18, 2017, was expected to retire in August when he turns 60.

However, news came last week Friday that he would be demitting office January 31, just nine months after being appointed to the top cop.

Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Strategic Operations portfolio, Clifford Blake will officially act as commissioner of police until a new commissioner is appointed.

Anthony Lewis