A retiring Bermuda Police officer is tipped to become the new executive officer of the United Bermuda Party.

Insp. Oliver Bain is retiring from Police Special Branch early in the New Year. Sources said he is a strong contender to succeed Mrs. Kathy Gibbons, who recently announced she is retiring as executive officer.

Insp. Bain, who has spent 25 years with Bermuda Police -- 20 of them with Special Branch -- refused to confirm the reports.

"I am retiring,'' he told The Royal Gazette . "I'm going to take a well-deserved holiday when I'm finished, and then I'll decide what I'm going to do.'' Known as "the gentle giant of Bermuda tennis,'' the six-foot, three-inch Insp. Bain is a leading senior and men's B singles player.

Since arriving in Bermuda from his native Grenada, he has also captained the Police cricket team and bowled for Nationals and Southampton Rangers. He now umpires.

In his Police job, he has played a key security role for the Royal Visit last March and numerous other visits by VIPs.

Insp. Bain's wife, Mrs. Sandra Bain, is vice-chairman of the National Drug Commission.

Mrs. Gibbons, who served as executive officer for less than a year, steps down next week.