THE lawyer representing Police Commissioner Erla Harewood-Christopher says she has advised her client to appeal a High Court judge’s ruling on Monday that the Police Service Commission (PolSC) ‘s suspension of her was lawful, reasonable, and proportionate.
In dismissing the legal challenge to suspend her, Justice Christopher Sieuchand found that the PolSC acted within its authority when it suspended Harewood-Christopher on January 31 this year amid a police investigation into the procurement of two sniper rifles for the Strategic Services Agency (SSA).
Harewood-Christopher, whose tenure as top cop comes to an end on Thursday (May 15), after two previous extensions, had contested the legality of the suspension, but the High Court upheld the PSC’s decision, finding it neither irrational nor illegal.
The judge said that the suspension was urgent and administratively necessary and was not intended to inflict punishment.
Last weekend, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Roger Gaspard, SC, said there was “no realistic prospect” of Harewood-Christopher being convicted for the offence of misbehaviour in public office “or for any other offence.”
Senior Counsel Pamela Elder confirmed that her client had returned to her substantive post on Monday and said she had advised her to appeal the High Court ruling.
“We escorted her to the building where the handing over was complete. The office was handed over by Mr (Junior) Benjamin and after that process she was summoned to a meeting with the Minister of Homeland Security (Roger Alexander)… she is back in her rightful position,” Elder said.
“You may be aware that the judge ruled against us this morning, in effect that the suspension was lawful and there was no right to be heard prior to the suspension and the Commission did not breach any rules of natural justice.
“I have listened carefully to the ruling, we are still awaiting the judgement….but from what was said I have advised my client that she should appeal that decision and she has taken ,y advice and that’s the next step with regards to that application, there will be an appeal,” Elder said.
She said what is also being considered is “civil action being brought against the persons responsible for the arrest of the Commissioner”.
Harewood-Christopher had been granted leave to challenge the legality of her suspension on February 5, but she was not successful in getting the judge to keep the office vacant until his ruling. Parliament then approved the appointment of Benjamin, Deputy Commissioner of Police, to act in the position.
Harewood-Christopher’s tenure as Commissioner of Police, ends on May 15, after two previous extensions in 2023 and 2024. She was arrested on January 30 at her office
Meanwhile, Harewood-Christopher has thanked God and her lawyers, saying “I have been vindicated, which I expected. In my 43 years of service there are no allegations of misconduct, be it criminal or otherwise. My service has always been with integrity.
“I thank God, I thank my attorneys,” she said, adding “other than that I reserve nay further comment at this time. I expect my Heavenly father to take good care of me. Whatever God has in store for me that is what will happen,” she told reporters. (CMC)
