Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago – Appeal Court judges have been urged to overturn a High Court’s dismissal of a lawsuit challenging the Government’s extension of Police Commissioner Erla Harewood-Christopher’s term.
Arguments were presented by attorneys representing UNC activist Ravi Balgobin Maharaj and the Cabinet. High Court Justice Ricky Rahim had previously ruled the extension constitutional, allowing Harewood-Christopher to serve until May 14, 2024, under Section 75 of the Police Service Act.
Maharaj’s attorney, Anand Ramlogan, argued that the extension undermines the fundamental authority of the Police Service Commission. Conversely, Russell Martineau, SC, defended the Cabinet’s executive power in the matter. This case highlights a critical legal distinction between the appointment and extension of terms for such high-profile positions, with potential implications for perceived political influence on law enforcement leadership in Trinidad and Tobago.
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