CoP Christopher-Harewood's Attorney: It's like Alice In Wonderland

Ms. Earla CHristopher's attorney, Senior Counsel Pamela Elder, raised concerns over two letters sent to Harewood-Christopher yesterday, which she said “reek of interference and an abuse of process”.

In a telephone interview with the Express yesterday, Elder said these letters raise many questions.

“This is really puzzling, I feel like Alice in Wonderland, it gets curiouser and curiouser.

“One—who is responsible for telling her to go on vacation leave? The Ministry of National Security (now Ministry of Homeland Security) or the Police Service Commission?

“Two—the letter states that she is advised to go on leave, she is not directed to go on leave.

“Three—can you go on leave if you are on suspension? So it means that the suspension was lifted,” she said.

Elder said the chronology of events must be considered, noting that May 14 begins at 12.01 a.m.

She also emphasised that the letter stated the PolSC indicated the suspension was lifted not upon receipt of the letter, but from May 14.

“It means that at 12.01 she was entitled to resume her duties and therefore Benjamin couldn’t continue acting since 12.01. So although since Monday they said the decision was made to lift the suspension, they sent her a letter at 6.21 today saying the suspension was lifted,” she said.

Asked if this means that Benjamin’s appointment ceases once the suspension is lifted, Elder said: “It must cease.”

Asked if Harewood-Christopher will be proceeding on vacation leave, Elder responded: “No, the term ends at midnight tonight (Wednesday). What vacation leave can she proceed on?”

When asked about the 66 days of accrued leave, Elder stated: “She (Harewood-Christopher) will have to be paid for it.”

She questioned how one could take leave on the expiration of the contract.

Pressed further on what’s next, Elder said: “I am seeing here an abuse of the process. I am seeing failure to discharge your duties. I am also seeing interference.”

She questioned the delay from the PolSC on issuing the letter to Harewood-Christopher lifting her suspension, as she quoted Shakespeare: “Oh, what a tangled web we weave when we first practise to deceive.”

The Letters

Letter to Harewood-Christopher from the Ministry of Homeland Security:

“We are to advise that you are to proceed on vacation leave with effect from May 14th 2025.”

Letter to Harewood-Christopher from PolSC chairman Wendell Wallace:

“I refer to my letter dated 31st January 2025 in which you were instructed to cease to report for duty and to discharge the duties of Commissioner of Police until further notice.

“As you are aware, at the date of the said letter, you had been cautioned, informed that you were a suspect in an ongoing investigation into misbehaviour in public office and placed under arrest.

“The Police Service Commission has received correspondence from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service and has also considered a press release dated 10th May 2025 issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) captioned ‘Investigation into an allegation of misconduct in Public Office’ in which the DPP stated inter alia that the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) was required to investigate whether your conduct amounted to a serious departure from proper standards of due diligence so as to amount to a departure that was not merely negligent but one which amounted to an affront to the standing of your office, is such conduct were to attract a criminal charge.

“The (DPP) release stated ‘The TTPS has ably presented to me a substantial file containing evidence and in light of the serious questions which that evidence has raised, concerning the CoP’s performance of her due diligence functions, I am of the opinion that while this coupled with her granting of the Firearm Import Permit was sufficient to lead to her arrest as a suspect, the evidence presented does not reach the required threshold so as to lead to a criminal charge.’

“It follows from the above that the ‘Investigation into an allegation of Misconduct in Public Office’ is at an end and the interests of the Police Service and the public interest no longer require that you cease to report for duty as Commissioner of Police.

“Further, the Commission has also noted that you were directed to proceed on vacation leave from effect 14th May, 2025.

“In the premises, the Police Service Commission discontinues the instruction to cease to report for duty, as contained in the letter dated 31st January, 2025. Please be so advised.”

Press release from the Ministry of Homeland Security:

“The Ministry has taken advice from the Office of the Attorney General with respect to the matters that follow:

“Mr Junior Benjamin, Commissioner of Police (Ag), was appointed to the post of Commissioner of Police (Ag) on February 6th 2025, and it is understood that this appointment would continue until the Ministry is advised by the Police Service Commission of a change in this status. The Ministry has not been advised of a change in this status.

“Mrs Erla ­Harewood-Christopher has accrued sixty-six (66) days’ vacation leave and she has been informed to proceed on leave with effect from today.

“The work of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service continues uninterrupted under the stewardship of Commissioner of Police (Ag), Mr Junior Benjamin.

“The Ministry wishes to formally acknowledge and commend Mrs Erla Harewood-Christopher for her exemplary service spanning over four decades with the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service. Her dedication and leadership have significantly contributed to the advancement of the service and the enhancement of public safety in our nation.”