Philipsburg: --- The Police Force of St. Maarten, Saba and Statia (KPSSS) put together an exciting video as well as a skit to attract young recruits to the police force which is highly understaffed. Police Officers from within the A team displayed their skills in apprehending a suspected drug dealer who turned out to be a young police officer who eventually salute the Minister of Justice David Dick who was at the launching of the recruitment drive.Students from the St. Maarten Academy were also on hand to receive information on the recruitment as well as participating in the photo shoot. Several police officers, Assistant Chief Commissioner of Police Ademar Doran and the Justice Minister as well as the State Secretary of Justice Ernie Simmons along with the island journalists that were present took photographs that were printed instantly and given to them as souvenirs.
The drive commenced yesterday at the Milton Peters College where students of the largest high school was given first hand information on the benefits of becoming a police officer. State Secretary of Justice Ernie Simmons said the MPC students were surprised to learn that police recruits are paid while in training school. Simmons said he felt there is more to be done on informing the island youngsters regarding the police and its benefits so they can be attracted to the force.
Assistant Chief Commissioner of Police Ademar Doran considered the video to be ‘eye catching and hoped that it would help them recruitment team to get the amount of officers that is badly needed. Doran said it is time they take the matter seriously and launch this type of campaign which would include a-six month advertising on all radio stations, television, and newspapers. He said when he approached the Minister of Justice for assistance it was given to him shortly after the request. Doran explained that it is believe that they take the matters of the police seriously if the present status and image of the police is to be changed.
Doran said one of the major hurdles in the Windward Islands and Curacao is language related. Minister of Justice David Dick said even if in Curacao they are having the same problem of language. He said he already suggested that additional training courses in the Dutch language be given to police cadets which would help them master the language.
The drive will continue today on Statia and then on Saba said Doran. Interested candidates must be able to master the Dutch language; they must be at least 17 and half years old and not older than 35 years of age and possess the Dutch nationality. During the first half of the campaign will focus on the getting sufficient cadets to join the police academy.
Persons who are already in any type of law enforcement agency can also use this period of time to become part of the police force if they are considering a career change.
