Kelley’s three-year contract was due to expire on Sept. 22.
Minister of Police Viliami Latu said the decision not to extend Kelley’s contract was made by the cabinet.
He said Kelley was brought in to implement a five-year development project, jointly funded by New Zealand, Australia and Tonga, and even though there was still work to be done, “the new government decided not to renew his contract, but to advertise for a new person to take over from him.”
Kelley did not want to comment on why he was leaving Tonga, but he would make a statement on Aug. 2.
In March, about 150 officers launched two petitions seeking to have Kelley removed and replaced by a Tongan.
The second petition expressed concern at the way Kelley’s reforms had affected the long-standing and traditional procedures of local police.
