Maho: -- The largest police recruitment ever done in the Windward Islands will be launched today in front of the Philipsburg Police station. At a press conference yesterday Chief Inspector Carl John calls on the general public to attend the recruitment drive since it will be Bing bang affair. He encouraged parents to come out and join the force since they are needed.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Ademar Doran made a special appeal to the people of Saba, Statia and St. Maarten saying that he know that his people have the talents, the desire and the qualification to do better than the police but because of the circumstances and the bad shape of the organization it is difficult for them to perform under these circumstances.
He said the police officers are willing and they have recognized that it is their business and due to this fact they have decided to take ownership so they can move forward.
Recruitment agent Jefta Alberto Maltiha said the Central government made some Naf. 300, 000 to 350, 000 to their disposal for the drive which will last six months in all three of the islands. She also called on all persons living on these islands to come out and join the police force. Maltiha said the campaign is massive and they would be recruiting at least 35 persons for all sections. The focus they said will be placed on the younger candidates during the first campaign since the police are in need of police cadets between the ages of 18 to 35.
The intention of the KPSSS is to use all the local media, the movies and billboards and brochures which include giveaways to create he campaign will take place in two sections within the six month period. an intense awareness. She said the police is doing it's very best to strengthen its force so that they can offer better protection to the people of the islands. She called on those in the community to join the police force and serve their country.
Police cells to be completed by year end--- Information Session held.
Minister of Justice David Dick said he already see the difference in the local police force. He said while there these differences are small it has to be recognized. Dick said when he entered the police station he can see lights and the cleanliness of the building. He said that the police officers at Simpson Bay saw it was necessary to repaint the outpost and they did by themselves and did not wait on him to get it done. Dick said with these little things he already realized that the Chief of Police has taken the initiative to hold the information session which he fully supports.
Dick said they discussed several issues during the one day meeting. Those issues are financial, human resources, policing housing, office spaces and finances and issues relating to IT.
He said focus is being placed on human resource management and IT since he needs to move the police from a non digital world to a digital world. Dick said since the police force on St. Maarten had no IT experience the changes have created a greater impact on the staff.
Asked when the police cells will be completed Dick said it should be completed by the end of the year. He said while construction will take three months the administrative bureaucracy that has to be completed before the actual construction can take place.
