Trinidadian police commissioner told to 'cease to report for duty'

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – The Police Service Commission (PSC) on Monday sought to clarify the status of embattled Police Commissioner, Erla Harewood-Christopher, amid an ongoing investigation into misbehaviour in public office.

In a statement, the PSC said that its responsibilities include the appointment of persons to hold and to act in the offices of Commissioner of Police and Deputy Commissioner of Police, to remove from office and to exercise disciplinary control over persons holding or acting in these offices.

It said that it is is in this regard, that it wanted to update “its stakeholders” regarding the position of Harewood-Christopher.

The PSC said that on January 30 it received communication from the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Intelligence and Investigation, stating that the Police Commissioner “was cautioned, informed that she was a suspect in an ongoing investigation into misbehaviour in public office and was under arrest”.

The PSC said as a result “in the proper discharge of its duty, in the interest of the Police Service and in the public interest, it requested Mrs Harewood-Christopher to cease to report for duty and to cease to discharge the duties of the Office of Commissioner of Police, with immediate effect, until further notice.

“This action has been taken as the matter is still being investigated,” the PSC said, adding that it “wishes to clarify that Mrs Harewood-Christopher is not the subject of any disciplinary proceedings”.

It said in the interim, under its constitutional powers and in keeping with the provisions of the Trinidad and Tobago Constitution and the various Commissioner of Police and Deputy Commissioner of Police orders it has “followed the process mandated by law, in nominating…a person to act in the office of Commissioner of Police and, one in respect of Deputy Commissioner of Police, a person to act in the office of Deputy Commissioner of Police”.

The PSC said that the names of the top ranked individuals from each respective Order of Merit List were presented to the President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, for nomination to the House of Representatives, reminding the public that persons are appointed to act in the office by the PSC “only after approval of the nomination by the House of Representatives”.

Parliament is due to meet on Wednesday.

The PSC said that it “awaits the outcome of the deliberations of the House of Representatives, pursuant to the Constitution before making any acting appointments in accordance with Section 123 (5)”.

The PSC said that it “recognises the concerns being expressed and is also aware of the critical need to maintain stability and public confidence in the offices which represent the leadership of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS)”.

It said moreso, it “remains cognizant of the impact that this development has on all aspects of the TTPS and by extension, the nation”.

Over the last weekend, Harewood-Christopher was released from police custody after being questioned in connection with the illegal procurement of high-powered rifles.

“What happened here is an outrage. It is outrageous because the Commissioner of Police was questioned, not as a person from whom the officers wanted information, but she was cautioned, and we all know or we should know, that a caution is administered to a person against whom the officer has reasonable grounds to suspect the person has committed an offence,” said her attorney, Pamela Elder SC.

She told reporters “my client has endured two days of unrelenting questioning and interrogation. She has endured this interrogation as a suspect who has been cautioned and in light of that ordeal she has endured, I have advised her that though she wishes to speak, this is not the time”.

Elder said Harewood-Christopher has been released without any charges being laid and told reporters when asked if Harewood-Christopher would be resuming office on Monday, “that will have to be discussed. We have to put pen to paper”.

The PSC said it has since asked President Christine Kangaloo to appoint Deputy Commissioner of Police Junior Benjamin as Harewood-Christopher’s replacement.

In the letter, the PSC, chaired by criminologist Dr Wendell Wallace, recommended that Benjamin be appointed to act as Commissioner of Police and Curt Simon be appointed acting Deputy Commissioner of Police.

Meanwhile, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) is urging the public, the media and other stakeholders, “to refrain from engaging in speculation or making misleading comments, that could undermine the ongoing investigation” into Harewood-Christopher and the retired Major and former Strategic Services Agency director, Roger Best.

Follow The Gleaner on X and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.