Commissioner of Police (CoP) Erla Harewood-Christopher exited the St. Clair Police Station on the night of January 31, 2025, clearly upset and distraught after nearly three days in police detention and relentless interrogation by subordinate officers. She smiled tremulously and stood quietly with her legal team as Senior Counsel (SC) Pamela Elder verified that no charges had been brought due to insufficient evidence. She was then released at around 5:30 p.m.
Major Roger Best, a former head of the Strategic Services Agency (SSA), was likewise not charged and was freed from detention. They were questioned on the SSA’s purchase of two powerful sniper rifles. Elder called the situation “outrageous,” noting that the Commissioner of Police was cautioned rather than questioned as someone the cops sought information from.
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“At the end of this interview, it was pellucidly clear that there was not one drop of evidence against the commissioner,” Elder said in his critique of the procedure. “The burning question which I would like answered is who is the senior officer that authorized the arrest of the Commissioner of Police on material that did not establish grounds to suspect,” she stated.
“I want to assure the nation that they should maintain faith in their CoP,” Elder said, praising Harewood-Christopher for being composed and stoic during the experience. Elder further remarked, “She is a strong woman; maintain faith in that office holder.” Elder noted, “Maintain faith also in the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), who was strong enough.”
“I am very glad and happy that he shows there is a true separation of powers existing in T&T,” Elder added, praising Senior Counsel Roger Gaspard, the DPP, for recognizing the “lack of any evidence.”
“This is what I keep asking,” she said, questioning the reason behind the arrest. She further mentioned, “This is what I keep asking. Why wasn’t she questioned without an arrest? I will put it in very simple words to tell the police officers, ‘Look, get away from here, release the commissioner.”
“During the questioning, she was told that the officers had evidence that she and other persons unlawfully procured the firearms and ammunition. And the question I asked of the officer is, who are the other persons?” Elder disclosed. The names were not revealed by the officer. Elder insisted on knowing, “Who orchestrated this? Was it designed to humiliate the commissioner? Is there a hidden agenda somewhere there?”
“We have to sit and consider everything,” Elder said in response to a question about whether Harewood-Christopher was thinking about filing a lawsuit. “That would have to be discussed,” Elder remarked about her going back to work. We must write down our thoughts. “Well, not only officers you thought you could trust, but officers that you believed had a certain degree of competencies,” Elder said despite the experience. She experienced trauma, “but she remained stoic throughout, and I commend her for that.”
“I advised the police today to do further investigations and revert to me,” the DPP stated when contacted for comment. Harewood-Christopher’s family celebrated her return by gathering at her house and giving gratitude for “God’s grace and mercy.” According to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), Best and Harewood-Christopher have been freed until more inquiries are conducted.
A statement said, “Today the team of investigators led by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Intelligence and Investigations, Suzette Martin, met with the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Roger Gaspard, SC, who advised that both individuals be released at this time pending further inquiries.” According to the TTPS, further information will be released as the investigation develops.
