DESPITE her suspension being lifted on May 12, Commissioner of Police (CoP) Erla Harewood-Christopher has still not returned to active duty.

This is because the Police Service Commission (PSC) – as of May 13 – was yet to issue a letter reinstating her to that position. As such, acting Police Commissioner Junior Benjamin remains in charge of the TTPS.

The PSC suspended Harewood-Christopher in February after she was arrested during an investigation into the approval of the importation of two sniper rifles for use by the Strategic Services Agency (SSA).

On May 10, Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard said there was not enough evidence to successfully prosecute a case of misbehaviour in public office against Harewood-Christopher.

On May 12, she and her lawyer Pamela Elder, SC, went to Police Administration Building for a handover with Benjamin after the PSC’s lead attorney, Deborah Peake, SC, – during a court hearing earlier that day – said the commission had decided to withdraw its directive barring Harewood-Christopher from performing her duties.

Peake added that a formal notification would be issued to Harewood-Christopher on May 12.

But speaking with Newsday on May 13, Benjamin said: “Up to this point, I have not received any letters from the PSC. Therefore, I continue my function and remain focused in terms of securing safety and security for TT, and I remain as the acting commissioner of police until then.”

Harewood-Christopher told Newsday that as of 5 pm on May 13, she still had not heard from the PSC.

“No, I have not received any notification from the PSC. I have had no communication from the Police Service Commission.”

On Monday, her lawyer Pamela Elder told reporters the handover was successful and declared: “She is the Commissioner of Police.”

Benjamin explained on May 13 that the handover was a respectful conversation (with Harewood-Christopher) after which it was decided he will continue in the post until both of them received official communication from the PSC.

Newsday was told that it is the PSC which has to officially inform Harewood-Christopher that she has been reinstated as CoP, and in the case of Benjamin, that his acting appointment has been rescinded and he reverts to being a deputy commissioner of police.

“It was a nice, cordial conversation. We had that dialogue, and at the end, Ma’am Christopher allowed me to continue until she receives instruction from the PSC,” Benjamin told Newsday at 6 pm on May 13. He explained that this was in everyone’s best interest.

“She cannot sit in the post without that (PSC) letter in her hand because that is the instrument of appointment. Understanding that it is to be forthcoming, and until such time, I remain the acting commissioner so recognised until that has changed.”

Asked if Harewood-Christopher showed up for work on May 13, in anticipation of the letter, Benjamin said, “I'm in the office.”

[caption id="attachment_1154934" align="alignnone" width="964"] Commissioner of Police Erla Harewood-Christopher arrives at Po