By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

DEPUTY Commissioner of Police Quinn McCartney confirmed his retirement from the Royal Bahamas Police Force to take up a post at the Baha Mar resort, saying that after serving the RBPF for more than three decades it was time to make a contribution to other sectors of society.

His retirement takes effect on January 31, he told The Tribune. Mr McCartney will begin his new post at Baha Mar on February 2. He will be a key component of the multi-million-dollar resort’s security arm.

Speaking to The Tribune yesterday, the 32-year RBPF veteran said as he considered leaving behind an organisation that he grew to love, he continued to keep his options open for places where he could use his expertise.

Mr McCartney, 54, said: “I am retiring after reaching the 30-year mark from the Royal Bahamas Police Force as we have an option to do so. I have served for 32 years so I made this decision.

“I have explored my options. Since I served for more than three decades I continued to look for suitable options and an excellent one came about.

“So I figured while I am still young and marketable, it would be good just to work in another sector of the country and continue to make my contribution in a different way.”

He would not comment on speculation that his retirement came because there were strained relations between him and Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade. It had been reported that there is contention between the two who are barely on speaking terms.

Mr McCartney joined the RBPF Force on January 1, 1983.

He worked in several areas during his career including the Serious Crime and Drug Section of the Criminal Investigation Department and Forensic Science Section.

Mr McCartney has also served as aide-de-camp to the governor general at Government House.

He is a two-time graduate of the College of the Bahamas where he obtained associate degrees in chemistry with biology and management. He also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from McGill University, Montreal, Canada, and a Master of Science degree in forensic science from the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland.

He also has a postgraduate diploma in police management from the University of Leicester, United Kingdom, and a Level 7 executive diploma in strategic management from the Chartered Management Institute, United Kingdom.

Mr McCartney was appointed as deputy commissioner on June 1, 2011.

In that post, he oversaw matters related to internal police discipline.