The Cook Islands Prime Minister, Jim Marurai, has reduced political influence on the appointment of the Police Commissioner.
The Cook Islands Times reports that Mr Marurai announced the setting up of a more independent appointment panel for the Commissioner's post.
The Commissioner's job is about to be advertised, with the current commissioner Pira Wichman's term ending this month.
Mr Marurai says the appointment panel will consist of five members, only one of which will be a ministerial representative.
Details on the composition are yet to be announced.
But Mr Marurai has confirmed that former New Zealand diplomat Kurt Meyer will take on the specialist role to manage the recruitment process.
