Philipsburg:--- Chief Commissioner of Police of the KPSSS Peter de Witte took the oath of office on Tuesday in front of Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba and host of invited guests while head of the Algemeen Division Carl John received a surprise promotion from Chief Inspector to Commissioner of Police.Departing the police force after some years is Acting Chief Commissioner of Police Ademar Doran who is expected to head the Federal Detectives. Doran is expected to undergo some training before he takes up his new position in St. Maarten. Doran in an invited comment said he was supposed to take up his new job since November last year but could not due to the fact there was no one to manage the local police force on St. Maarten.
Almost all of the speakers including Chief Inspector Anthony Rogers gave Doran lots of credit for the work he did while managing the Police force for the past year without the necessary material, finances and human resources. Rogers said while many have not realized that St. Maarten is making history since Carl John was promoted and Doran is leaving. He said in life destiny plays a great role and while Doran has entered the police force at a tender age he has reached the top and is moving forward.
Rogers said the conditions under which Doran took over the police force a year ago was not ideal for him to function since he inherited a boat that was rock bottom and he became a master to do things with nothing. "Those in authority had expected you to lift up this boat without any soldiers, no equipments and staff and to take it to an unknown destination. All of which he did amongst much turmoil." Rogers said.Acting Lt. Governor Reynold Groeneveldt said the police force on St. Maarten was confronted with challenging times in recent years despite the fact they have a task to protect and serve the community of St. Maarten. Groeneveldt also expressed thanks to former chief of police Derrick Holiday and Deputy Chief Commissioner of Police Richard Panneflek for the years of service they dedicated towards St. Maarten. He said Doran managed the police force under difficult circumstances. He said everyone is aware of the challenges the police faces for example the structural shortage of manpower, insufficient financial means, lack of equipments and materials while the crime rate increases. Groeneveldt thanked Doran for holding the fort during these turbulent times.
Groeneveldt reminded the gathering that it is stated in the final accord that before St. Maarten obtains its country status the police force has to be improved and the island is experiencing a period of change, he also welcomed the new chief commissioner of police Peter de Witte whom he said is charged with a difficult task. Groeneveldt also called on the members of the police force to work closely with De Witte for the betterment of their country.
Chief Prosecutor Hans Mos said St Maarten now has a chief commissioner of police, one which he knows and worked with for over two years in Aruba. Mos said De Witte is man who is an officer among his police core. He is known to be the first on crime scenes and one that is always seen in the community. Mos said he admired De Witte for his calmness, straight forwardness, and respectfulness under all circumstances. He said de Witte will bend when necessary to achieve his goals, a man to be admired for his patience and the way he would discuss matters even with those that disagrees with him. Mos said building bridges is one of the requirements a Chief commissioner of police is required to have and De Witte possesses that quality. Mos said his office supports de Witte's plan which is to restore the image, trust, integrity of the police force through training of the police officers on St. Maarten.Mos said his office discovered that the people of St. Maarten would refrain from giving information to the police due to the lack of trust, this he said was discovered when conducting several heavy investigations.
The Chief Prosecutor said his office is receiving too many complaints of unacceptable behavior of the police officers, by the use of violence and firearms in situations when not necessary. He said De Witte has the ability to restore trust in the community so that the police force can function better. He said De Witte is always known to be the first on crime scenes and he always takes the lead. While De Witte maybe the Chief of the Police Force he knows very well that the Chief cannot function without his Indians, Mos said.Mos also saluted Doran for the job took over a year ago to manage the police force, one without the necessary manpower and materials.
De Witte in his address said while he is motivated to be working on St. Maarten an island he fell in love with he was given three weeks to have an action plan for the police force of St. Maarten as well as a strategic plan for the next three years for the KPSSS. This he said was told to him by former Lt. Governor Dennis Richardson. De Witte said the demands shifts the normal procedures up side down while he is in the process of making acquaintance he has to also write his plans all of which are important to St. Maarten.
De Witte said while he is honored to be the Chief Commissioner of Police, trust of the community is important to maintain while respect and integrity of the police organization are fundamental values for the existence of the police force. He said currently the police organization is working 24/7 with limited capability and under difficult circumstances. He said safety and security is the business of the police and they are not only doing it for the community but for the thousands of visitors that visits the island on a daily basis. De Witte made clear that even though he is called to make plans the changes will not be seen from one day to the next, however the police has to achieve this change by working together.
In the meantime, Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba said the federal government in her person has been working on putting the puzzle together to build a resilient and capable police organization for country St. Maarten. So far the federal government has erected and purchase new buildings, purchased computers, automated systems while investments were also made in intelligence gathering. Personnel she said was upgraded while they are still busy with the recruitment for more manpower. Jacoba said while the federal government is doing all it can they are also receiving assistance from the Netherlands to enhance the KPSSS. So far the BTA has been executed which reduced the amount of illegal immigrants on the island. She again promised that she would not standstill until St. Maarten receives its new status.Jacoba also thanked Doran for the managing the police force during turbulent times. She said he shouldered his responsibilities even though there were moments of stress. Jacoba said during his leadership he gained valuable experience which should help him to further enhance the justice chain. Jacoba also warned John who is now part of the management team to lead by example. She said with the appointment of Peter De Witte will bring about some stability within the police force. His main task is to complete the action plan for the police force when St. Maarten takes up its country status. He is also charged with transforming the organization to a vibrant and healthy police organization which would effectively tackle the crime situation and to restore the feeling safety to the community while ensuring there is trust in the police organization.
Chief of Police Franklyn Richards who is currently in the Netherlands on a working visit and vacation also sent his wishes and gratitude to Doran who schedule to leave the police force. Expressing the same sentiments was Leader of Government William Marlin who thanked the Minister of Justice for the work she is currently doing with the KPSSS. Marlin also expressed gratitude to former Chief Commissioner of Police Derrick Holiday and his deputy Richard Panneflek who is currently at the disposal of the island government.