By Sue-Ann Wayow
COMMISSIONER of Police Erla Harewood-Christopher is denying all allegations made recently by Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar in relation to the Brent Thomas matter.
The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) issued a media release on Sunday on behalf of the CoP who cautioned Persad-Bissessar on her public statements.
The release stated that while it is not the intention of the Office of Commissioner to be distracted from its “urgent and onerous” mandate of preventing and detecting crime, this case qualifies as an exception, because it strikes at the very root of the integrity of the TTPS, which as Commissioner, Harewood-Christopher was duty bound to nurture and protect.
“The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service wholly and categorically denies the allegations being made in the media release and calls upon all citizens to be responsible in their utterances and to be mindful of the potentially adverse effects their utterances can have on the functioning of the organisation and the implications for law enforcement in our country,” Harewood-Christopher stated.
She continued, “The Brent Thomas matter is currently before the courts and in the interim the TTPS is obligated to manage any disclosure in relation to that matter in accordance with the propriety that is required for due process.
“Finally, I take this opportunity to assure all citizens of Trinidad and Tobago that the TTPS will be responsible and professional in fulfilling its constitutional mandate and will continue to do so diligently, fiercely, fearlessly, and independent of the influence of all politicians.”
In a media release on Saturday, Persad-Bissessar called on the police officers involved in the Brent Thomas affair to seek legal advice and to not trust the government and the hierarchy of the TTPS.
