BY Dwayne Mcleod, Staff Reporter

The appointment of Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin as Commissioner of Police has now incited controversy, THE STAR has learnt.

The Police Officers Association (POA) is contending that the Police Service Commission breached section 17 of the Police Service Regulation when it advertised the post of Police Commissioner before interviewing any of the senior officers.

As such, the POA and relevant authorities are on the verge of clashing in a legal battle.

Senior members of the executive body explained to THE STAR that "the group will be seeking an injunction in the aim of blocking the appointment of Mr. Lewin, while awaiting the outcome of a suit filed against the Police Service Commission."

THE STAR also learnt that the POA will be hiring an attorney to represent them in the Supreme Court and have already met with one.

Though tight-lipped about the details of the meeting, Superintendent Norman Heywood, chairman of the POA confirmed the meeting.

Rear Admiral Lewin is expected to take up his post on December 17.

He will be Jamaica's 26th Commissioner of Police