A career in the Police Force can be an excellent one. To the prospective recruits he said he must say that they have to first and foremost have love for people. Today the world has become an extremely complicated place. And the pressures people are facing do not make and will not make the job to serve and protect any easier. But I believe the training in the Police Academy will give some preparation.
The rest will be up to you. It is important that trust and respect for the Police force be restored. As preparation is being made to become country St. Maarten clarity as to the legal position (Rechtspositie) of all is vital. Discussions such as were held on Monday last at the Maho Hotel are needed. As was stated in one of yesterday's daily newspapers there was quite a large turnout from the Police Force and many questions were posed by those present. Some wanted to know when the existing vacancies within the force would be filled. They also wanted to know about the issue of housing and repatriation cost. Further discussions on housing and other related matters should be continued as this will also have an effect on the new recruits. Constitutional changes will bring the responsibility of the Police Force in the hands of country St. Maarten. It is essential that meetings be held on a regular basis between the Minister of Justice and the Executive Council. Some of the questions that were asked can only be answered if there is clarity on who is responsible to provide what. The present personnel and the new recruits will need this information on the road to becoming country St. Maarten. Again to the persons who have organized this recruitment campaign, excellent job.
Pantophlet also sends congratulations to the the St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) and the White and Yellow Cross Foundation on installing a complaint committee. The fact that these are institutions that were willing to take this initiative is commendable. There is nothing more important than one's health. This means that these institutions are open to scrutiny as it regards the manner in which they provide service to our community. They have put pressure on themselves to provide the highest quality of service. I would like to encourage persons if the need arises to make use of these committees. He said he hopes that there would not be too many complaints but if there weren't any then there would not be a need for this committee. Accountability is what it is all about.