Philipsburg: --- The police union NAPD along with the president of the ABVO came to St. Maarten where they participated in a number of meetings seeking clarity on the status of the police when St. Maarten takes on its country status. NAPD representative Norwin Villarreal in an interview with SMN News said that the focus of the meeting was to discuss the so-called WIN WIN Agreement that was signed about a year ago with the unions and the Minister of Justice. Villarreal said the trail of the Win Win agreement was off track and they needed to clarify the issues pertaining to the signed agreement. He said the purpose for the weeklong meetings was to make sure they get the train back on track. He said the meetings were all internal which included meetings with the team leaders of each department of the police force as well as with the police management. A meeting was also held with the Minister of Justice and the chairman of the workgroup of St. Maarten Mr. Richard Gibson Sr.
Villarreal said a general membership meeting was also held to apprise the police of the outcome of the meetings. The union also took the opportunity to meet with the current leader of government Mr. William Marlin in an effort to get synchronization and commitment based on what is in the final declaration for the country status. In that declaration, it is stated that if the police force is not up to par St. Maarten would not attain its country status and the police does not want to be seen as the stumbling block of the process. The union representative said even they though they do not want to be obstacle in the process they do not want government to push any and all kinds of things down their throats which would not be workable or feasible for the police department. He said if that should happen St. Maarten would be in the same position as is today by not having the much needed status change if the police force is not up to par.
Villarreal said they need to get the commitment and synchronization so they can all be on the same page and move forward. Asked if their was any discussion on the house rent allowance which is of concern to several police officers, Villarreal said they did not discuss the matter because the Win Win Agreement has sufficient elements which would allow them to take the police management or central government to court if needed.
He said they still have some to work to do on their part since they now have to clear the air and dismiss some of the rumors that were circulating.