Senior Counsel Larry Lalla has called for the immediate removal of the Commissioner of Police Erla Harewood-Christopher following the assassination of attorney Randall Hector on New Year’s Eve, a crime he says highlights a failure of leadership within the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS).
“This Commissioner has demonstrated no capacity to effectively use the extraordinary powers granted under the State of Emergency,” Lalla said.
“Tuesday’s joint press conference was embarrassing—she stumbled through a prepared statement, failing to inspire any confidence that she can lead the fight against gang violence,” he added.
Hector, a special prosecutor, was gunned down outside a church in front of his wife and children after a New Year’s Eve service.
“If the State of Emergency is truly targeting gangs, then their movements and communications should be under constant surveillance. How, then, was there no intelligence warning that Mr. Hector’s life was in danger?” Lalla asked.
Expressing sympathy for Hector’s family, Lalla said, “It’s difficult to ring in the new year with thoughts of this tragedy. My heart aches for his wife and children, who will carry this pain for the rest of their lives. My deepest condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.”
Lalla did not mince words in urging the government to act decisively, even if it meant terminating the Commissioner’s contract.
“The safety of our citizens must come before the ego of any public officer. The government must immediately assess whether changes are needed at the top of the TTPS, or we risk losing control of gangland murders altogether,” Lalla said.
He also called on Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley to take responsibility for the current state of affairs, “This State of Emergency was his decision. He must now lead from the front and ensure that the TTPS has the leadership it needs to protect the people.”
