PORT OF SPAIN – Government and Opposition Friday supported the nomination of Allister Guevarro as the new Commissioner of Police, replacing Erla Harewood-Christopher, whose tenure ended in acrimonious circumstances, including having charges of misbehaviour in public office.
Harewood-Christopher had on February 3, 2023, made history by becoming the first female police commissioner in the twin island republic. But last month she was sent on 66 days leave, 48 hours after she returned to her desk following the decision by Director of Public Prosecution Roger Gaspard SC that there was “no realistic prospect” of her being convicted for the offence of misbehaviour in public office “or for any other offence”.
Harewood-Christopher’s tenure as the top cop came to an end on May 15, after two previous extensions.
A statement from the Ministry of Homeland Security said that based on advice from the Office of the Attorney General, Junior Benjamin, who had been appointed by Parliament to act as Police Commissioner on February 6, this year, would “continue until the Ministry is advised by the Police Service Commission of a change in this status.
Benjamin was among those who had reportedly been screened for the substantive post.
Under the Trinidad and Tobago laws, the Head of State forwards the nomination to the Parliament after receiving it from the Police Service Commission (PSC).
Homeland Security Minister Minister, Roger Alexander, a former senior police officer, who had resigned ahead of the April 28 general election here, piloted the measure in the Parliament.
Guevarro graduated from the police academy in 1996, has studied at the International Law Enforcement Academy in El Salvador and is the holder of an MBA. He was one of three persons assigned to probe the national security aspect of the February 2022 nationwide blackout, which was later found to be an “act of God”. (CMC)
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