Benjamin promises to be ' CoP for all'

■ Alexander Bruzual

alexander.bruzual@trinidadexpress.com

A Commissioner of Police for all.

This was how acting Commissioner of Police (CoP) Junior Benjamin described himself yesterday afternoon at a news conference held at the Police Administration Building in Port of Spain.

At his first news conference as acting CoP he was flanked by recently appointed acting Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Curt Simon, and Assistant Commissioner of Police Richard Smith.

'Presently, as the Commissioner of Police, I have seen myself as a Commissioner of Police for all. This includes both Special Reserve officers, as well as civilian personnel that are part and parcel of the team, the TTPS (T&T Police Service). As the Commissioner for all, I would want to ensure that all persons within the curtilage of the TTPS that they have the necessary facilities, equipment and training that is needed, so that we can move the organisation from that place of organisational development to organisational efficiency,' Benjamin said.

He later explained to the media that he chose this title due to his style of leadership.

'Everybody has different types of leadership. My style is always one that is about really trying to meet the people where they are and (being) one who cares about the people. Therefore my style will always be to go to meet the people and really try to see how we can all work together, so there is greater collaboration for a greater benefit to the organisation. That's my style,' Benjamin said following the news conference.

During the event, he also thanked suspended CoP Erla Harewood-Christopher for her service.

'It would be remiss of me if I actually speak about leadership without first thanking the (suspended) Commissioner of Police Erla Christopher for her conscientious and committed service to the organisation. Today, I stand as the (acting) Commissioner of Police on the shoulders and even on the foundation that has been set by (the previous) commissioner. And I must say that she has been a mentor, a model, and a multiplier within the organisation. Madam Christopher has contributed in ensuring that there is a level of stability and we are very grateful as an organisation. And we wanted to just start out by saying thank you. And we continue to wish her the best, in all her endeavours,' Benjamin said.

He also announced that citizens could expect to see 'certain changes' in the operations of the Police Service which would be building on Harewood-Christopher's work.

'I believe it's really important that you learn to build on the foundation that is here. So, it's not necessarily about changing anything per se. So anything that I will be doing is to build on the excellent work that the Commissioner Christopher had done. And therefore, I will be looking at that very seriously. Right now, our focus is on the SoE (state of emergency) and the Carnival. We have a strategic plan that we are working on right now... so there's some things that are there, some low hanging fruit that we want to make sure that we touch on, as we move forward,' Benjamin said.

Background

The TTPS has found itself in controversy following the recent arrest, release, and suspension of Erla Harewood-Christopher while sitting in the office of the Commissioner of Police.

Harewood-Christopher was appointed Commissioner in February 2023, and had three and a half months left on her contract at the time of her suspension.

After she attained the retirement age of 60 on May 15, 2023, her service was extended based on contractual agreements She was detained at her office at the Police Administration Building, Port of Spain, on January 30, by a team of detectives headed by Deputy Commissioner Suzette Martin.

Harewood-Christopher was questioned for two days and eventually released from the St Clair Police Station on February 1. She was questioned in connection with the importation of two sniper rifles for the Strategic Service Agency.

However, while she was in custody, on January 31, the Police Service Commission (PolSC) placed Harewood-Christopher on suspension with immediate effect.

Following her release, Harewood-Christopher's lead attorney, Pamela Elder SC said there was not an iota of evidence for her client to be charged with any offence.

The PolSC later nominated DCP Junior Benjamin to act as police commissioner. The proposal was debated in Parliament on February 5, and his nomination approved.

That same day Harewood-Christopher was granted permission by Justice Christopher Sieuchand to pursue her claim for judicial review against the commission's decision to suspend her.

However, the judge refused to grant Harewood-Christopher's bid to block Benjamin's appointment as acting CoP.

The following day, Benjamin was granted his instrument of appointment to act in the role of police commissioner.

'thanks madam': Erla Harewood-Christopher