An emotional Erla Harewood-Christopher outside the St. Clair Police Station after being released from police custody on Saturday.
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad--The country’s first female Commissioner of Police (COP) Erla Harewood-Christopher has been removed.
The day after she was arrested, the Police Service Commission (PolSC) dismissed COP Erla Harewood-Christopher and wrote to President Christine Kangaloo to appoint Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Junior Benjamin as her replacement.
In a letter to Kangaloo, which she received on January 31, the PolSC said that it directed Harewood-Christopher to “cease to report for duty and cease to discharge the duties of Commissioner of Police.”
At the time, Harewood-Christopher was arrested and detained at the St. Clair Police Station for questioning over the granting of an import licence to secure military-grade equipment for the Security Services Agency (SSA).
The PolSC, which is chaired by criminologist Dr. Wendell Wallace, said its decision was as a result of the ongoing investigation into misbehaviour in public office.
In its letter, it recommended that Benjamin be appointed to act as COP and Curt Simon be appointed acting Deputy Commissioner of Police in his stead.
Benjamin is at the top of the PolSC’s order merit list for senior police officers eligible to act as commissioner.
The day the letter reached the President, she wrote to Parliament informing them of the matter to be debated. In a notice posted over the weekend, Parliament announced that the two notifications – Benjamin and Simon – will be debated on Wednesday, February 5.
However, the day after the notice was sent, Saturday, Harewood-Christopher was released without charges.
According to a press release by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), the investigations into her and former director of the SSA Roger Best remain ongoing.
At the St. Clair Police Station, minutes after her release on Saturday, the question was put to Harewood-Christopher’s lawyer Pamela Elder SC on whether she would resume duties as COP.
“That will have to be discussed. We have to put pen to paper,” Elder told the media.
At that time, Elder would have been aware of the PolSC’s notice to her client.
According to COP and DCP 1175 (Selection Process) (No. 2) Order 2021 under the constitution, “Where–(a) the Commissioner of Police is or is likely to be– (i) absent from Trinidad and Tobago; (ii) on vacation leave; or (iii) unable by reason of illness or any other reason to perform the functions of the Commissioner of Police; or (b) the office of the Commissioner of Police is or is likely to become vacant, the Commission shall select the most senior officer on the Order of Merit List and submit that officer’s name to the President in accordance with the procedure set out in section 123 of the Constitution.”
Meanwhile, in a brief interview with “Guardian Media”, Deputy Commissioner of Police Suzette Martin issued a special appeal to the public, “To refrain from sensationalising the matter and spreading misinformation and speculation.”
She assured, “The TTPS will continue the investigation in the most transparent, accountable and impartial manner as we have been doing all along.”
Martin confirmed the investigation continues with officials working diligently. Acknowledging the public’s interest in this matter, the DCP said they would provide updates where and when possible, and which would not compromise the investigation.
The TTPS, in its statement, called for patience from the public and urged caution when it comes to speculation.
“The investigations are being handled with the utmost professionalism, transparency and impartiality and justice must be based on facts and due process, rather than assumptions or biased narratives. Premature conclusions and false information can create unnecessary tension and hinder the work of investigators.
“I give the assurance that the investigation, which has been guided all along by the Director of Public Prosecutions, is being treated with the utmost seriousness and all findings will be based on credible evidence. Let us all exercise responsibility by allowing the investigation to unfold without interference, as I call on everyone to uphold fairness, trust the legal system, and refrain from sensationalising the case. Let us await the facts, before forming opinions.”
Meanwhile, the Association of Central Legal Practitioners (ACLP) through its chairman, attorney Kiel Taklalsingh has expressed concern over the investigation into the COP.
Demanding accountability, the ACLP said it was deeply concerned as, “This imbroglio will inevitably erode public confidence in that office.”
The ACLP said, “The conduct of the investigation into the Commissioner of Police should be reviewed to determine whether due process was observed and remained free from bias or unfairness, thereby upholding the institutional integrity of the TTPS.” ~ Trinidad and Tobago Guardian ~