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Signals picked up by "The General Telegraph" from the corridors of the Police Headquarters indicate that, there is an uneasy calm within the top brass of the next Inspector General of Police (IGP). Investigations revealed that the IGP positions is almost up for grabs, due to the fact that the current IGP, Mohammed Ahmed Alhassan, is ready to take his 90 days leave prior to compulsory retirement. The lobbying among the police top brass has reached a climax. Originally, the IGP was to have started his leave on October 20, 2013, but reasons for his staying on to date are not known. Professional policing was introduced by the British colonial authorities to the Gold Coast, now the Republic of Ghana, in 1821 and the service has since undergone transformation to become what it is today. The IGP is the most senior police officer appointed by the president from existing commissioners and in some cases, form deputy commissioners, in consultation with the Council of State. The first Ghanaian Police Commissioner, E.R.T Madjitey, was appointed on October 9, 1958 after 19 colonial predecessors. Since then, the service has been headed by 20 different IGPs with the first female, Elizabeth Mills Robertson, incidentally serving in an acting capacity from January 28, to May 15, 2009 prior to the exit of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) under Mr. John Agyekum Kufuor. The current IGP, Mohammed Alhassan, took over from Paul Quaye, under whom he had served as a deputy, from May 16, 2009 to February 5, 2013. Mohammed Alhassan was expected to begin his compulsory 90 days leave prior to retirement on October 20, according to the administrative procedures of the service. His exit will then open the way for one of the nine commissioners, namely COP Joana Osei Poku, COP Rose Bio-Atingah, COP John Kudalor, COP Prosper Kwame Agblor, COP David Asante Appeatu, COP Stephen Andor Coffie, COP James Oppong Buanu, COP Frank Adu Poku and Cop Patrick Eden Timbillah to be considered for the high office. However, unlike his immediate predecessor and all others, Mr. Alhassan, who served in various capacities under the United Nations is still at post, without any indications as to when he will exit. Under the 1992 Constitution, the President has the prerogative to extend the tenure of any appointee, and whoever, wishes to be considered for the position may apply through the Interior Minister. Further checks confirmed that the current IGP, was born in Accra on January 21, 1954, and therefore will be exactly 60 years old on January 21, 2014. The top brass of the police, for their part, are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that their favorite is given the mandate to lead the Ghana Police Service. The General Telegraph