Philipsburg: --- Sources close to the police organization on St. Maarten said that at least eleven police officers most of whom are in the service for long time has requested to leave the St. Maarten Police Force and move back to Curacao. The source said the officers are not content with the type of leadership that St. Maarten has thus they want to leave, another concern for the officers is the lack of growth as well as their benefits. The officers it is said are from Curacao who prefer to return to their island.
SMN News further understands that some of the officers would leave as early as next month. So far the management of the local police force has remained tightlipped on the situation at hand. Already the police department is highly understaffed and loosing more officers can be a detriment to the island’s safety and security. Even though the police are presently involved in a recruitment drive in all the islands this would not bring along relief anytime soon.
In an invited comment Chief of Police Franklyn Richards said only two persons are scheduled to leave the police force and go back to Curacao. Richards in the beginning said he was not aware of anyone leaving but after taking up the issue with the Assistant Chief of Police he was told that only two officers requested to leave St. Maarten.
SMN News could not get hold of the Assistant Chief Commissioner Ademar Doran for a comment since he was not answering his phone.
In an invited comment Minister of Justice David Dick said he was not aware of the developments. Dick however, promised to do some investigations on the matter before making an official comment.
