PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Trinidad and Tobago Police Commissioner, Erla Harewood-Christopher, has been “arrested and detained” as investigations continue into the importation of two sniper rifles by the Strategic Services Agency (SSA). Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Suzette Martin, told a news conference that the top cop, who had been moved to a secret location, had been “arrested and detained “along with the former director of the SSA,  Major Roger Best “over the past few days. “We understand that this has raised significant public concern and we are committed to providing as much information as possible while respecting the ongoing investigation,” Martin said. “At this time an active investigation is proceeding and I must stress that it is still in progress. We are working closely with the Director of Public Prosecution and the relevant authorities to ensure that due process is followed and that all legal protocols are observed,” she added. Police said that the investigations were triggered by the unlawful procurement of firearms and that charges could include misbehaviour in public office. Martin said that as the investigations are still ongoing “and are at a sensitive stage, we are unable to provide specific details about the nature of the arrest. “It is important that we allow the investigation to unfold without interference. I ask you for your understanding and patience as we work to ensure that all aspects of this matter are addressed thoroughly and fairly”. Martin said she wanted to reassure the public that the arrest of the Police Commissioner “does not affect the day-to-day operations of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service. “Our officers remain committed to serving and protecting the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago,” she said, adding that the members of the hierarchy of the TTPS “are also here with us today and we will continue to function without disruption. “We are fully operational and the safety and security of the public remain our top priority,” she said, with the police indicating that arrests and other activities associated with the current state of emergency are on continuing. “The integrity of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service as an institution remains strong and we continue to hold the highest standard of professionalism. The public should expect continued service from the police and safety and security will remain our priority,” Martin said, adding that the TTPS is committed to transparency and accountability. ‘We will continue to provide updates as appropriate, but we must be mindful of not compromising the investigation or legal proceedings. Our duty is to ensure that justice is served fairly and without bias and we will do so with integrity,” she added In May last year, Harewood-Christopher was given a one-year extension as police commissioner after the Cabinet had earlier indicated that on May 13 it advised President Christine Kangaloo under the Police Service Act (section 75(a)) to extend her service for a year starting May 15. Harewood-Christopher reached the retirement age of 60 on May 15, 2023, and Cabinet gave her a one-year extension up to May 24, 2024. During the news conference, the police confirmed that the top cop had been moved to a secret location as the probe continues adding that her constitutional rights are being observed “and we have taken a proactive step to ensure that there is no matter that may arise that may place her welfare at prejudice”. The police said that every effort is being made to have the criminal investigations completed as soon as possible, noting “it has always been an established practice and protocol to conduct investigations expeditiously, diligently” and that instructions have been given to ensure that the “matter proceeds expeditiously and diligently”. Asked by reporters to state what assurances the police would give to ensure that the investigations are above board, given the people involved “Martin responded by saying” we are conducting investigations with professionalism, we are also communicating with the Director of Public Prosecutions in all our undertakings”. Harewood-Christopher is not the first police commissioner to be arrested and investigated in Trinidad and Tobago. In 1986, suspended police commissioner Randall Burroughs, who became police commissioner in 1978, was arrested on drug smuggling charges, and appeared in court in connection with the 1983 deaths of two men in a police shootout. The charges were brought against the police chief following a government investigation into the drug trade. Meanwhile, businessman Luke Hadeed, accompanied by his attorney Om Lalla, Friday voluntarily surrendered himself for questioning in the ongoing investigation. “There are reports in the media that Luke Hadeed …was in hiding that he is under arrest, detained, nothing could be further from the truth. We understand that they want to interview him, we are available, we have nothing to hide,” attorney Lalla said, adding that his client’s name and reputation are being damaged by the unfounded reports. “We are going to (police) headquarters, submit to whatever process and at the end of it we will be able to deal with it accordingly and we will address the media appropriately afterwards”. In July last yar, Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley told Parliament that an audit of the SSA had found that it adopted an “unapproved organizational design and structure and staffing” without the required knowledge of the competent authorities. Last March, the government confirmed Major Best’s removal as SSA director and replaced him with Ambassador Brigadier Anthony Phillips-Spencer, who had been recalled from Washington, where he served as the country’s ambassador to the United States. Best was among just over a dozen people fired from the SSA since the government announced that something amiss was happening at the agency, with the self-proclaimed spy Pastor Ian Brown, being fired as a Special Reserve Police officer on March 19. Rowley told Parliament that the SSA was established in 1995 to guide the formulation and implementation of national policies on the illicit trafficking of dangerous drugs and related criminal activities. But he told legislators that since March 4 last year, an extensive internal review and audit of the SSA has been ongoing and that it had been discovered that the “unapproved organization structure and staffing “ had been undertaken without the required permission. “For example, the SSA established and operated a highly trained and militarised so-called “Tactical Response Unit” for operational purposes. This unit was examined and abolished in March 2024 as part of the audit review. Its operations before March 2024 are under review by SSA and the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS),” Rowley said.

Atlanta (CNN) — A 59-year-old male tourist was trampled to death by an elephant while reportedly trying to save his grandchild at Kruger National Park in South Africa last weekend, according to a statement from the park. Eyewitnesses say the man and his family parked close to the Malelane reception area near Crocodile River when the children ran past a bridge into the bush and an elephant from a nearby herd charged at them, South African National Parks (SANParks) said. “He rushed to assist the children and that is when he was chased and trampled by one of the animals. He succumbed to his injuries on the scene” on January 25, the park said in a statement Monday. The victim was identified as 59-year-old Shaik Adam Shabir Ammed from eMkhondo, a town located southeast of Johannesburg in Mpumalanga province, South Africa. He was reportedly trying to save his grandchild, SANParks told CNN on Friday. “On the day of the incident, the animal responsible for the death could not be identified as there were several of them in the vicinity and they immediately moved away while people were trying to save the life of the deceased,” SANParks said in the statement. “SANParks would like to reiterate that the incident is regrettable and unfortunate, but calls on the public to refrain from speculating, until the police have finalised their report and to allow the family to mourn their loved one in dignity,” the statement added. South African Police are investigating the incident. They referred CNN to SANParks for updates on the case. SANParks said it is fully cooperating with the police and will not have an update until the police have handed over their final report. “Management continues to offer heartfelt condolences to the Ammed family and wishes them strength in this difficult time,” the park said.

The Barbados Police Service (TBPS) is seeking the public’s help in identifying and locating a person of interest. He is wanted for questioning in connection with serious criminal matters. Anyone who can identify him is asked to contact the Criminal Investigation Department (Oistins) at 418-2609 or 418-2612, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIPS (8477) or Police Emergency at 211. Any information provided would be helpful. The public is also being reminded it is a serious offence to harbour or assist wanted individuals and anyone caught committing this offence can be prosecuted.