Tan Sri Ismail Omar today officially handed over the country’s top police position, the Inspector-General of Police, to his deputy Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar.

Khalid will begin his new task heading the Royal Malaysian Police(PDRM) tomorrow.

The ceremony for the new IGP took place at the Police Training Centre (PULAPOL), at Jalan Semarak here this morning.

Ismail, who has been in the police force since 1971, was appointed the IGP on 13 Sept 2010 and was to go on mandatory retirement in 2011. His appointment as an IGP by contract ended today.

At the same ceremony, the signing of the handing-over documents and receipt of the positions was also done by Khalid as well as the Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director, Datuk Seri Mohd Bakri Mohd Zinin, who will take the place of Khalid as the Deputy IGP

"I wish him all the best and he is the best man for the job," Ismail had said of Khalid.

Ismail said that the memories and achievements of his service in the force would never be forgotten, especially of the time where the intruders in East Sabah had to be neutralised together with the army.

“I am very satisfied with the achievement of the police force especially in terms of lowering the crime index,” said Ismail.

“And what I cannot forget is the challenge of overcoming the terrorists in Sabah a few months ago when I and the army chief General Tan Sri Zukifeli Mohd Zin tried our best to defeat the intruders to keep our country safe,” he said.

Ismail had earlier arrived at about 8.30am and were greeted by some 5,000 policemen.