On the eve of her 62nd birthday and the final day of her contract, Commissioner of Police Erla Harewood-Christopher was sent on 66 days’ vacation leave, according to a May 14 press release from the Ministry of Homeland Security.

Her departure caps a tumultuous period marked by her suspension, arrest during the state of emergency and a high-profile investigation into alleged misconduct in public office, stemming from her approval to allow the purchase of two sniper rifles for the Strategic Services Agency (SSA).

Suspended by the Police Service Commission (PSC) in February, Harewood-Christopher tried to return to duty on May 12 after the High Court lifted her suspension. That same afternoon, she met with acting Commissioner Junior Benjamin at the Police Administration Building to complete the formal handover, accompanied by her attorney, Senior Counsel Pamela Elder.