Trinidad Police Commissioner Arrested, Released in Firearms Investigation

After more than 50 hours in custody and amid an ongoing criminal investigation, Trinidad and Tobago’s Commissioner of Police, Erla Harewood-Christopher, was released from the St. Clair Police Station on February 1, resuming her duties as head of the police service.

Harewood-Christopher, who was advised by her lawyer not to make any comments upon her release, appeared visibly drained, with tears momentarily welling up in her eyes. Her lead attorney, Pamela Elder, SC, raised concerns about the competence of the police team investigating whether the Commissioner was involved in the importation of two sniper rifles for the Strategic Services Agency (SSA).

Elder described the questioning of Harewood-Christopher as “unrelenting” and stressed that she was cautioned as a suspect, not simply questioned. Elder’s main question was directed at the senior officer who authorised the arrest of the commissioner based on material that didn’t establish suspicion. She further questioned the basis for the arrest, wondering if there was an agenda to publicly humiliate Harewood-Christopher.

The investigation was triggered by a confidential Special Branch report, which raised concerns about a request made by former SSA director Major Roger Best to Harewood-Christopher between July 2023 and March 2024, seeking approval to import the sniper rifles for the SSA. Harewood-Christopher, who holds sole authority over the approval of firearm import permits, has not been charged, and the investigation continues.