PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – The Police Service Fee (PSC) has advised embattled Police Commissioner Erla Harewood-Christopher to “stop to report for responsibility and stop to discharge the duties of Commissioner of Police”.
In a January 31 letter despatched to President Christine Kangaloo, the PSC stated that the motion in opposition to Harewood-Christopher is being taken “attributable to an ongoing investigation into misbehavior in public workplace.”
During the last weekend, Harewood-Christopher was launched from police custody after being questioned in reference to the unlawful procurement of high-powered rifles.
“What occurred right here is an outrage. It’s outrageous as a result of the Commissioner of Police was questioned, not as an individual from whom the officers needed data. Nonetheless, she was cautioned, and everyone knows, or we must always know, {that a} warning is run to an individual in opposition to whom the officer has affordable grounds to suspect the particular person has dedicated an offense,” stated her legal professional, Pamela Elder SC.
She advised reporters, “My shopper has endured two days of unrelenting questioning and interrogation. She has endured this interrogation as a suspect who has been cautioned, and in gentle of that ordeal she has endured, I’ve suggested her that although she needs to talk, this isn’t the time”.
Elder stated Harewood-Christopher had been launched with none fees being laid and advised reporters when requested if Harewood-Christopher would resume workplace on Monday, “That should be mentioned. We now have to place pen to paper”.
In Could final yr, Harewood-Christopher was given a one-year extension as police commissioner after the Cupboard had earlier indicated that on Could 13, it suggested President Kangaloo below the Police Service Act (part 75(a)) to increase her service for a yr beginning Could 15.
Harewood-Christopher reached the retirement age of 60 on Could 15, 2023, and Cupboard gave her a one-year extension till Could 24, 2024.
The PSC stated it has since requested President Christine Kangaroo to nominate Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Junior Benjamin as Harewood-Christopher’s substitute.
Within the letter, the PSC, chaired by criminologist Dr Wendell Wallace, really useful that Benjamin be appointed appearing Commissioner of Police and Curt Simon be appointed appearing Deputy Commissioner of Police.
The Parliament will meet on Wednesday to debate the brand new appointments.
In the meantime, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) is urging the general public, the media, and different stakeholders “to chorus from partaking in hypothesis or making deceptive feedback that might undermine the continued investigation” into Harewood-Christopher and Roger Greatest, the retired Main and former Strategic Providers Company (SSA) director.
The TTPS issued a press release after a media report advised that Deputy Commissioner of Police Suzette Martin had claimed that Harewood-Christopher wouldn’t keep on as CoP whereas nonetheless below investigation.
“The TTPS needs to state that DCP Martin made no such statements and wouldn’t be able to make any feedback on the tenure of the CoP. As such, that report is inaccurate. “
The assertion quoted Martin as saying, “The investigations are being dealt with with the utmost professionalism, transparency, and impartiality. Justice should be primarily based on details and due course of reasonably than assumptions or biased narratives. Untimely conclusions and false data can create pointless stress and hinder the work of investigators.”
“I guarantee you that the investigation, which the Director of Public Prosecutions has guided, is being handled with the utmost seriousness, and all findings might be primarily based on credible proof. Allow us to all train accountability by permitting the investigation to unfold with out interference. I name on everybody to uphold equity, belief the authorized system, and keep away from sensationalizing the case. Allow us to await the details earlier than forming opinions<’ she added.
The TTPS stated it will proceed to offer updates as circumstances enable, “and we stay centered on sustaining public belief.”
