Willemstad Curacao N.A
During the recent weeks there have been a few allegations leveled against the Justice system, the police force in particular, that demand clarity by means of an independent investigation. These kinds of serious assertions, when made by distinguished senior personnel from within the police force, disrupt the very trust and one of the main pillars of our society.
Undoubtedly Mr. Carlton Phillips, is a well known and I dare say decent and respectable law enforcement officer in this community. Over his many years of serving St. Maarten we have never heard his name mentioned in any form of wrong doing or misdeeds. When considering the well known reality of St. Maarten’s history this is an honorable and admirable accomplishment to be emulated. We know that the road of life has many detours but in absence of clearing his reputation and integrity, no one is safe from being used, abused, and victimized by unscrupulous powers of evil. Having a firsthand understanding and knowledge of cunning politics is like playing a dangerous game with life. To falsely accuse or make allegations against a police officer for discarding or manipulating criminal intelligence and to allow this to linger and fester for no less than 7 years is indeed a very serious charge; especially if it concerns an outstanding officer of the law with such impeccable integrity. This cannot and should not be acceptable and should not be taken lightly as an innocent and in-deliberate oversight. Evidently, Mr. Carlton Phipps understands that the detrimental implications of scenarios surrounding fabricated injustice can and will breed anger, hatred and ultimately a criminal. For him to fight against any perpetrated shroud of corruption tarnishing 35 years of dedicated service isn’t just about protecting his reputation and his family. Whether this is done to him deliberately or not, the probability of future prosecution of himself or whoever involved may be left unresolved but remains inevitable. At the end of the day, somebody will be held accountable and will be prosecuted. The implication that many of our upstanding leaders in our community is being set up and imprisoned is reaching to epic proportions, which is turning into much distrust. The last high official within the police force who claimed to be willing to expose matters within the justice system got himself involved in a dubious accident that is yet to be resolved and has people at different levels of society saying that it seems like murder.
In light of these and many more cases it is time to have an independent, non-partisan team of law enforcement agents investigate the police department. If for nothing else, for heaven’s sake let it serve to restore confidence and integrity to this vital part of any healthy society. It is quite obvious that a breakdown of law and order in our society is rapidly taking place on St. Maarten. In our homes, schools, community even on our jobs; nowhere seems to be safe anymore. These are very troubling times demanding urgent and decisive attention. Injustice to the law inevitably breeds criminality and subsequently to hard core criminals.
Respectfully yours,
Mr. Eldridge van Putten
Social & Political Activist – cell 5995223775
Cc. Antillean Parliament / Council of Ministers
First / Second Chamber Dutch Kingdom
Human Rights Department United Nations
