Philipsburg: ---Several other staff of the police department is now speaking out against the victimization they face with the management of the police force. Sources say some of the workers have have already contacted their union who are now dealing with the issues with Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba. Several officers of KPSSS is supposed to be paid for work they did and the management of KPSSS is making sure these workers are not paid.
Sources close to management of the KPSSS said management is refusing to pay certain employees their over time or extra monies that is owed to them. One of the persons that are yet to be paid for the work she executed for a period of six months is Belinda Brison. Brison was in charge of the daily operations last year when Sylvia Gibbs, head of human resources was sent home by management of the KPSSS. According to a federal government ordinance if any civil servant hold a position for a certain amount of time in the absence of the department head that person has to be paid extra which is equivalent to the department head.
It is understood that the police management under Assistant Chief Commissioner Ademar Doran has refused to process the necessary paperwork for Brison to be paid instead they are busy seeking advice from other police organization to see if they can deny Brison the monies she has worked for.
SMN News also understands that both the NAPB and the ABVO were inform on the case and is said to be discussing it with management. SMN News further understands that Brison has been waiting for over three months for her extra monies.
SMN News also learnt another police officer was placed in another department to set up the IT-Data of the KPSSS and immigration. According to our sources, this officer has to also receive compensation for the work he did. The system has been already installed but the officer in question remains in the department to monitor the systems. Sources say the management of KPSSS has to process the documents so the officer can be compensated but to date they have not done so. Unless management does their work the finance department cannot make the payments.
The disgruntled workers of KPSSS said that while management is busy hindering the staff who is actually working for the people of St. Maarten, they (the management) makes sure they do all they can to make sure they are promoted to higher scales. The source said that the management team would put heads together when it involves their own benefits while they make it their business to stifle the workers. In the meantime, Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba has met with Assistant Chief Commissioner of Police Ademar Doran on Saturday to discuss the issues facing St. Maarten. Jacoba said ever since she took office she has been dealing with problems and to date she is not able to sit down and do her work. Asked for a comment on the accusation made against the management team Jacoba said the federal detectives are busy investigating the case. She said unless she gets some information from the investigating team she is not able to say anything. Asked if the police management is investigating themselves since they sent a letter with several questions to detective Carlton Philips. Jacoba said the management team is not investigating the case; however, as management they are within their rights to ask questions. The Minister said the detective made lots of claims and he has to come up with some proof on these matters. Minister Jacoba said St. Maarten in particular has a number of issues that has to be dealt with.
In the meantime, SMN News has learnt that the former Assistant Commissioner of Police Richard Panneflek has sent a letter to Minister Jacoba requesting to take over the management of the police force. It is said a number of officers have been encouraging Panneflek to return to the helm. So far, the Minister has not responded to Panneflek’s request.