Senior Supt Alicia Henry tipped to be SSA’s first female director

Senior Reporter

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Senior Superintendent Alicia Henry is being tipped to lead Trinidad and Tobago’s elite Strategic Services Agency (SSA).

A seasoned intelligence officer within the T&T Police Service TTPS), Henry is reportedly set to take the helm of the SSA, marking a landmark moment for the agency and national security, as she would become the first woman to head the spy agency.

She will replace Arthur Barrington, who was fired by the United National Congress Government on May 9. Barrington, a former head of TTPS Special Branch, was appointed by the previous People’s National Movement administration on April 1.

While security officials remained tight-lipped about the impending appointment yesterday, Henry graciously accepted congratulations from Guardian Media with a simple “many thanks” late Monday. She, however, declined to comment further on her selection as the agency’s newest head.

A career intelligence officer within the TTPS, Henry currently serves as the Senior Superintendent in charge of the Special Branch, which is another elite unit responsible for national security intelligence.

Prior to her return to the Special Branch a few weeks ago, Henry was last in charge of the Police Academy in St James.

The SSA received a major shake-up in March 2023, following the removal of its former director, retired major Roger Best, and deputy director Joanne Daniel. Along with Best and Daniel, Pastor Ian Brown was also fired amidst allegations of a plot to establish a military-style pro-Christian government.

Following the removal of Best, retired brigadier general Anthony Phillips-Spencer, formerly T&T Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary in Washington, DC, was recalled to T&T to lead the SSA. He returned to Washington when Barrington was appointed.

At the time of his installation, former prime minister Stuart Young praised him for bringing extensive experience to the SSA, highlighting not only his policing background but his previous role as head of Special Branch intelligence, which gave him a deep understanding of operations.