PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) — The Police Service Commission (PSC) has told embattled Police Commissioner, Erla Harewood-Christopher to “cease to report for duty and cease to discharge the duties of Commissioner of Police”.

In a January 31 letter sent to President Christine Kangaloo, the PSC said that the action against Harewood-Christopher is being taken “as a result of an ongoing investigation into misbehaviour in public office”.

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”.

In May last year, Harewood-Christopher was given a one-year extension as police commissioner after the Cabinet had earlier indicated that on May 13 it advised President Kangaloo under the Police Service Act (section 75(a)) to extend her service for a year starting May 15.

Harewood-Christopher reached the retirement age of 60 on May 15, 2023 and Cabinet gave her a one-year extension up to May 24, 2024.

The PSC said it has since asked President Christine Kangaloo to appoint Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) 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.

The Parliament will meet on Wednesday to debate the new appointments.

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 (SSA) director, Roger Best.

“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,” Deputy Commissioner of Police, Suzette Martin said.

“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,” she added.