Investigations continue into the alleged role suspended Commissioner of Police Erla Harewood-Christopher may have played in the importation of two sniper rifles that were later sent to the Strategic Services Agency sometime in late 2023.
The team investigating the matter yesterday again visited Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard for legal advice.
After some time and discussion, the team left and was told to return at a later date.
The investigation therefore remains ongoing, and the team will have to continue the information-gathering process and again visit Gaspard to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to charge Harewood-Christopher.
Police are trying to determine if there was any wrongdoing; and, if so, if it constituted misbehaviour in public office.
Harewood-Christopher was appointed Commissioner in February 2023, and had three and a half months left on her contract at the time of her suspension on January 31.
After she attained the retirement age of 60 on May 15, 2023, her service was extended.
She was detained at her office at the Police Administration Building, Port of Spain, on January 30, by a team of detectives headed by Deputy Commissioner Suzette Martin.
Harewood-Christopher was questioned for two days and eventually released from the St Clair Police Station on February 1. However, while she was in custody, on January 31 the Police Service Commission (PolSC) placed Harewood-Christopher on suspension with immediate effect.
Following her release, Harewood-Christopher’s lead attorney, Pamela Elder, SC, said there was not an iota of evidence against her client to be charged with any offence.
The PolSC later recommended that DCP Junior Benjamin act as police commissioner.
The proposal was debated in Parliament on Wednesday afternoon, and granted. That same day, Harewood-Christopher was granted permission by Justice Christopher Sieuchand to pursue her claim for judicial review against the commission’s decision to suspend her.
However, the judge refused to give the green light to Harewood-Christopher’s bid to stop the appointment of Benjamin as acting top cop.
On Thursday, Benjamin was granted his instrument of appointment to act in the role of police commissioner. He now holds the most senior office at the TTPS.
