Trinidad police commissioner arrested as major probe opened
Gavin Riley / Our Today
administrator
Commissioner Erla Harewood-Christopher, head of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), was arrested and detained on Thursday (January 30) for allegedly approving the importation of two sniper rifles.
Harewood-Christopher, implicated alongside former Strategic Services Agency (SSA) director Roger Best, was taken into custody hours after questioning.
Citing investigators, media reports indicate that Best was not authorised to buy the AX2 bolt action snipers, though he held a lawful import permit.
Best, who was relieved of his post last March by Prime Minister Keith Rowley, had his weapons confiscated before they were handed over to the SSA, police said.
Deputy Commissioner Suzette Martin, at a press briefing yesterday, indicated that “specific information” related to the case cannot be released, due to the “sensitive stage” of the probe.
Adamant that everyday policing will not be affected, Martin conceded that Harewood-Christopher’s arrest has “raised significant public concern” and assured future updates to the case would be provided.
She appealed for patience from the general public to allow investigations to run their natural course.
As the twin-island republic experiences a concerning flare-up in violent crime, which triggered a State of Emergency (SOE) declaration last December, the deputy commissioner also maintained that the police operations will not be affected by the probe.
“I want to reassure the public that the arrest of the commissioner does not affect the day-to-day operations of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service. Our officers remain committed to protecting the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago. We will continue to function without disruption,” she said.
“We are fully operational and the safety and security of the public remain our top priority. The integrity of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service as an institution remains strong and we continue to uphold the highest standard of professionalism,” added Martin.
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