Caption: Assistant Commissioner of Police, North West and Special Operations, Richard Smith, left, and Deputy Police Commissioner Junior Benjamin. AZP/Prior Beharry
By Prior Beharry
AS the investigation into Commissioner of Police Erla Harewood-Christopher’s alleged involvement in the procurement of two sniper rifles unfolds, top officials from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) are remaining tight-lipped about the probe’s status.
During a media briefing at the Police Administration Building in Port-of-Spain on Monday, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) Junior Benjamin refrained from addressing questions related to the ongoing investigation, urging both the media and the public to allow officers the necessary time to complete their work.
“This is a matter that is under investigation, and we want to be very careful in terms of saying anything further,” he said.
When asked about his current role within the TTPS, Benjamin responded, “The issue with the CoP has been addressed by the PolSC, and therefore, we stand in terms of awaiting the process to ensure who would be next acting CoP at this time.”
The Parliament is scheduled to meet on Wednesday to discuss an acting CoP, with Benjamin likely in line for the position, being the most senior official currently. He has been nominated by the PolSC.
Harewood-Christopher’s suspension followed a letter from Police Service Commission (PolSC) chairman Dr. Wendell Wallace, instructing her to cease all duties until further notice.
In response, Harewood-Christopher’s attorney, Pamela Elder SC, has given the PolSC a deadline until 2 pm Tuesday to revoke the suspension or face legal action.
Benjamin faced a barrage of questions regarding various aspects of the investigation but consistently redirected them to Deputy Commissioner Suzette Martin, who is leading the inquiry.
He said the TTPS’s was ccommitted to maintaining stability and focus, saying, “The TTPS remains focused in terms of the task that is ahead… we are all on board to ensure that the police service stands tall even in the midst of our challenges.”
Regarding officer morale in light of the ongoing controversy, Benjamin asserted, “The TTPS remains very resilient and committed to the task before us.”
He also addressed concerns about potential conflicts arising from a senior officer investigating the head of the TTPS, stating, “We have always been one team and each and every one of us, we all operate as one.”
In a related note, Benjamin commented on a viral video that surfaced over the weekend, showing him wearing a bullet-proof vest while delivering a sermon at his church in August 2024. He clarified, “It was an illustrated sermon… to show that we must always be prepared.”
He said that he does not wear a bullet-proof vest every Sunday and that the vest was part of a message about being spiritually battle-ready.
Additionally, Benjamin addressed his previous statements in that sermon about aspiring to be CoP, affirming, “I stated that we ought to be strong… these affirmations helped me reach where I was now.”
