Philipsburg: --- Brazing the hot sun were some dignitaries as well as few police officers who stood outside of the Philipsburg police station to witness the handing over ceremony of some 23 brand new vehicles to the police for of St. Maarten (KPSSS).
Reza Macsood of Marshall Motors, Stephane De-je Robert of Vlaun and Sons, Julian Harley of St. Maarten Cars and a representative of Harley Davidson presented Minister of Justice David Dick with the keys of the vehicles that were all parked in front of the police station. The keys were immediately handed over to Assistant Commissioner of Police Ademar Doran. Recognition was also given to Zenitel for the radio communications.
The Minister in his statement said the presentation of the vehicles is representing a project that has been underway for sometime now. He said the vehicles that is very much needed is only the first part of this project while the second is the human resources which are being worked upon.
The purchase of these vehicles he said represents the security plan for the Netherlands Antilles. Dick said the vehicles that were handed over yesterday only represent 50% of the amount of vehicles that is actually needed on St. Maarten. He said the minute he receives the plan for the second half it will be presented to USONA for execution. Hopefully when this is done the police force would have enough vehicles in place to execute their duties.
The Minister thanked the dealers for the prices they sold the vehicles for as well as the efficiency in getting them on the island.
Dick said he is looking to the Union representatives who were also present that if their members take up their responsibilities then the work can be achieved faster. 
He said just recently they signed an agreement for the development of human resources where at least seventy or eighty members of the police force will be getting the necessary training they need on management as well as middle management and other related duties. He said with this training the police organization will be able to function much better. The Minister said these materials and trainings are part of the Win Win Agreement which was signed early last year. He called on the stakeholders which includes the office of the Lt. Governor, the executive council, the unions as well as the police to demand from each other their deliverance in order to achieve their goals.
John Received Praise for his Outstanding Efforts.
In speaking about the projects Minister of Justice David Dick gave credit to Chief Inspector Carl John for his outstanding contributions to the Police Force (KPSSS). Dick said he does not normally pinpoint officers in public but because of the amount of work and dedication John has shown as a cop he is obliged to publicly thank him. The Minister said he does not have enough words to thank Officer John since there is not one project he is working on that John did not contribute to. Dick said if ever there is a day when he has to nominate an officer as the ‘super cop" he would make it his duty to nominate John for the award. He said he has no intention to exclude anyone but John is one of the best cops in the Netherlands Antilles who demands respect and respect must be given back to him. Besides executing his duties as an officer in the streets John also works in administration and on the recruitment of police officers for KPSSS.
He also gave thanks another officer who worked through her vacation on the acquiring of the vehicles. The project costs the central government some 2.1 million guilders which also includes the intelligence. Dick said only last week he saw the software that they intend to purchase for the Netherlands Antilles. He described the software as top quality and something that would definitely make the Netherlands jealous of the Antilles. "Holland will be jealous for what we are going to be implemented." The new software is to be used for the purpose of investigations which will be implemented in the entire Netherlands Antilles especially St. Maarten. The Minister said this software is used in the USA for immigration and other purposes. This software he said will be implemented in the next three months. When all technology is fully implemented the police on St. Maarten would be able to have cameras and laptops installed in their vehicles the Minister said.
A---Team Recognized by FBI.|
The Minister also presented a recognition award on behalf of the Federal Bureau of Investigations of the United States of America (FBI) to the A- Team of St. Maarten for the capture and arrest of Michael Jason Registe who is wanted for double homicide in the state of Georgia.
The Minister said the Americans have now recognized the KPSSS for their services which he said is far better than before. He said in their last report they indicated that St. Maarten is working and has improved in the services thus he is extending congratulations to the police of St. Maarten for their achievement and recognition.
MARECHAUSEE PRESENTS VEHICLES AND OTHER MATERIALS TO KPSSS.
Also part of the presentation ceremony yesterday the general of the royal Marechausee Mr. Van Putten who are on the island presented a list of items to the St. Maarten Police Force. The items include vehicles, laptops and other items which will be displayed at a later date. Minister Dick said police coach Ronald Dongor approached the Marechausse for much needed items. He said the general has a special place in his heart for St. Maarten. He also thanked the marechaussee for the much needed manpower they are giving to St. Maarten and the rest of the Netherlands Antilles. He said the marechaussees are the only institution who responds very quickly when assistance he requested from them.
Chief of Police Franklyn Richards in his statement said that everyone in the police force is happy with the cars they received. However, he said in the past when the police needed cars they were forced to approach the private sectors to make donations to the police. Richards said that is only fair that he go back down memory lane to say that the police approached TELEM, the Harbor Group, and the Airport who all donated cars. He said right now they are busy enhancing the police force now that the island is busy with acquiring its country status something that is very important. However, all of this he said must be done in such a way so that the police force would be able to carry its own weight.
The island Chief of Police also thanked the police for the efforts they have made over the years to combat crime with the little means they had. Richards said even though the police had limited vehicles, manpower and even information center they have done a great job in combating crime. He also commended Chief Prosecutor Taco Stein for the job he is doing alongside the police.
Richards also reminded the Minister of the difference on crime when the 15 officers from Curacao was on St. Maarten. He said the crime rate had dropped tremendously and now that the officers have left its beginning to increase again. He said the island and its people is looking forward for those 15 officers to return to St. Maarten in a structured manner. He said he took note of what the Minister said about recruitment and he would be looking forward for it because the island truly needs it to tackle crime. Richards said if that is not done then the islands would not be able to achieve their country status. He said he already noticed the changes and hopes that there is a continuation for the better because without it they cannot do it alone. Richards also thanked General Van Putten for his generous donation especially the two police outpost that is expected. One he said would be installed in Sucker Garden while the other in the Maho area.
The Minister immediately responded to Richards by informing him that the moment he appointed Commissioner Ademar Doran to the Chief Assistant Doran indicated to him in their first meeting that he would need additional manpower from Curacao in a structured manner. He said those officers will be coming at least four times a year to St. Maarten. However, there will be no indication as to when they are coming since they want to surprise the criminals to a certain extent.
