Current Chairman of the Gibraltar Police Authority, Richard Garcia recently made way for the newly appointed Mr. John Gonçalves who was selected by the Specific Appointments Commissioner.

Mr. Garcia was thanked for all of his work as Chairman of the Authority, which acts as an essential element of the constitutional architecture as it ensures the operational independence of the RGP. Commenting on the matter, the Chief Minister explained that he was very grateful to Mr. Garcia for his outstanding work in the role. He added, ‘on behalf of the whole community I wish to thank him for his commitment to the task and to congratulate him for his undoubted achievements over the two years he has spent as Chairman.’

Mr. Garcia’s successor, Mr. Gonçalves acted as General Manager of Gibraltar Airport Services from 1989 to 1992, he was also Chairman of Terminal Management Ltd from 1992 to 2011.

Mr. Gonçalves has been a member of the Gibraltar Sports Advisory Committee since 1972, President of the Gibraltar Amateur Basketball Association since 1984, a member of the Board of the European basketball Federation (FIBA Europe) since 2003 and its Vice President since 2010. He was also appointed as a Member of the British Empire in 2007.