Commissioner of Police Erla Harerwood-Christopher was strongly admonished by High Court judge Frank Seepersad on Monday, for a delay of more than two years in deciding on a Tobago businessman’s FUL (firearm user’s licence) application.
Justice Seepersad chided Commissioner Harewood-Christopher for her “unreasonably prolonged and procrastinated” decision.
He said the delay in this matter has not been explained, cannot be justified and it is unreasonable.
Seepersad added, “the procrastination which has occurred is simply inconsistent with the obligation to prioritise and pursue the need for good and effective administration.
In his claim for judicial review, Pheon Solomon said he submitted his application for a FUL in November 2017. He received his provisional licence and his certification of competence, but has been waiting since August 2021 for the FUL. Meanwhile, his provision licence expired on August 25, 2021.
Seepersad ordered her to make a decision in 28 days.
In defence of the claim, the commissioner said there was a large volume of FUL applications and the police service’s firearms unit also had to deal with other permits, such as firearm user’s employee certificates and firearm import permits.
The commissioner’s defence further said the department was “severely understaffed”.
But Seepersad said the explanations given by the commissioner were “simply outrageous.”