Commissioner of Police Winston Felix, who has been under pressure following the release of tapes purporting to be of him and others in conversation, has told his officers that he will not remain as Commissioner for much longer.

Commissioner of Police Winston Felix

Stabroek News has been reliably informed that the Commissioner held a meeting with his senior officers yesterday in his office and informed them of his imminent departure.

It is understood that the Commissioner's official retirement date is November 1 but he has substantial leave owed to him for a number of years and may be taking this soon. The Commissioner did not inform his officers, according to reports reaching this newspaper, of the specific date he is expected to go on leave but from all indications it may be soon.

It is not clear if the Commissioner's move has been precipitated by the release of the two taped conversations and a letter sent to him by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds asking him to respond to certain allegations and complaints arising out of the tapes. The Commissioner has since challenged the Prime Minister's move in the High Court.

When the Top Cop proceeds on leave Deputy Commissioner, Law Enforcement, Henry Greene would more than likely act as the Commissioner. When November 1 arrives the Government would have to make a substantive appointment and it is not clear if that person would be Greene.

Felix has had a rollercoaster experience in office and while some will be happy to see the back of him, as according to them he has had a disastrous record, others say that with his departure the situation is not likely to improve.

He will be long remembered for the famous words he uttered when he was sworn in 'hold me accountable' which have become a lightning rod for those who have severely criticised him. But his supporters say that under Felix crime has declined even though in recent times he has had to battle with the Agricola massacre and the slaying of Minister Satyadeow Sawh and his family for which no one has been held.

The Commissioner, in a surprise move on Tuesday, moved to the High Court challenging the Prime Minister's request for explanations on the controversy-riddled tape recordings.

The Top Cop had said it appeared that the government had adopted businessman Roger Khan's stated objective of having him removed from office. On June 2 the Prime Minister wrote to the Commissioner seeking an urgent response to several allegations listed in the letter. A June 6 deadline was set.

The Commissioner wrote the Prime Minister on June 6 informing him that after he received the letter he decided to consult his lawyers and requested that he be allowed to respond to the allegations more fully. He later decided to move to the courts.

One of the tapes was allegedly between the Commissioner and PNCR executive Basil Williams and the second was purportedly one of Felix and an employee of a political party. It was the latter which evoked a storm of controversy as it appeared to suggest the intent to plant drugs on a theft suspect.

The government had sought the assistance of the FBI in authenticating the first tape but this has come to naught. The circulation of the tapes has been interpreted as a battle between Khan and the joint services. In addition to the local wanted bulletin for him, Khan has also been indicted by the US authorities on a charge of conspiring to import drugs. He has since issued several statements about his role in fighting crime during 2001-3 - an apparent bid to whip up local support and to stave off any extradition to the US.

Khan is now in police custody in neighbouring Suriname following a drug bust there on Thursday.