Police Commissioner Erla Harewood-Christopher says guests will be invited to the Independence Day toast to the nation based on her discretion and her judgment.
Harewood-Christopher made the remarks while responding to a letter issued by the National Transformation Alliance (NTA) questioning why their leader and former Police Commissioner Gary Griffith was not invited to the event.
The toast to the nation is one of three events held on Independence Day, which features the Prime Minister, the National Security Minister and Commissioner of Police at the Police Administration Building, Sackville Street, Port of Spain.
It is customary for former police commissioners and other former officers to be invited as guests.
Responding to Guardian Media’s questions at a police media briefing this afternoon, Harewood-Christopher said her judgment guided the decisions.
“Any invitation to the toast to the nation is at the sole discretion of the Commissioner of Police and that is a discretion I will use based on my judgment.”
Shortly before her response, the NTA’s general secretary Tim Teemal issued a media release raising concerns over Griffith’s snub, noting that the toast to the nation was not a political event and accused Harewood-Christopher of being directed by politicians.
“If Harewood-Christopher decided to take full responsibility for the decision, shielding the politicians who appointed and possibly directed her, then she must be made to answer on what basis did she invite other previous heads of the TTPS and not former commissioner Griffith.