CoP suspended from office, not fired

COMMISSIONER of Police Erla Harewood-Christopher has been suspended from office pending the outcome of a criminal probe into the acquisition of two sniper rifles for the Strategic Services Agency.

Harewood-Christopher was not fired, contrary to other media reports.

On January 31, while in custody Harewood-Christopher was served with a notice of her suspension by the Police Service Commission.

Harewood-Christopher was arrested at her office at Police Administration Building, Port of Spain on January 30.

She was released from custody on February 1, after investigating officers led by DCP Suzette Martin acted on the advice of Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard.

Police are currently tying up loose ends of the investigation before consulting with the DPP again on possible charges of misbehaviour in public office.

Harewood-Christopher, who was appointed CoP in February 2022, was detained along with former director of the SSA retired Major Roger Best during the probe. Best was also released from custody on February 1.

Parliament will meet on February 5 to debate a nomination by the PSC of DCP Junior Benjamin to act as CoP.

This means the country will not have a sitting substantive CoP during state of emergency called at the end of December to suppress gang violence.