Philipsburg:--- Safety and security is one things that would have priority for Chief Commissioner of Police Peter de Witte. In an interview with SMN News the new police chief said he already submitted the plans for the new and improved police department to the island government.The plan he said was delivered two and a half weeks after he took office and as long as the plan is approved by the island government then the police management team would begin their phased implementation.
De Witte made clear that the current situation would not change overnight but he definitely would do his best to improve the justice chain on St. Maarten. The first step de Witte expects to take is to make sure there is an officer in charge of each district. The idea is to make sure when a crime is committed in any district an officer is nearby. This officer would also be responsible for his district and his job is to train other people to be role models. "The community would definitely see more of the police and training will be provided to the men in blue so that they could deal with people in a more professional manner." De Witte said.
The Chief Commissioner of Police also wants the general public to know that the additional personnel that are coming from Holland would not be taking away jobs or top positions from the local men in blue. "The additional personnel would be coming here as advisors and they would be training someone locally to do the job."
The new police chief would be making some changes internally so that the detective and fraud department would have some more men to execute their jobs. However, when he does that the Zero Tolerance and other departments would be scaled down since some of the men in those departments would be rotated. A new person is expected to join the forensic department since there is only one person currently working in that department.
While the intention is to upgrade the police force with more men De Witte said that would be done over the next three to four years. For the police force to be brought up to par there would be need for more men, materials as well as monies to get the job done.
The police on St. Maarten can look forward to some intense training so as to rebuild the trust and integrity of the police. The force would also have for the first time a social worker who would provide anger management trainings as well as the physiological needs of the officers.
De Witte admitted that when he took office the situation of the St. Maarten Police Force (KPSSS) is a mess. He said this would take a lot of work and cooperation from the entire Korps if the situation is to change. Asked how he intended to make a difference he said "When people are treated nicely and with respect they do their best at work." Meaning besides him being a gentle and kind person his intention is to listen to his officers and to do what is best for them and the force. The new police chief makes sure he dresses in his uniform on a daily basis hoping that his subordinates would take example from him.
Asked how he felt about the island's people de Witte said the people on St. Maarten are friendly and so far they have responded well to him.
