Philipsburg: --- Lack of leadership skills, lack of trust, and personal victimization are only some of the reasons why the management team of the St. Maarten Police Force (KPSSS) is falling apart. SMN News has been reliably informed that at least one member of the management team Hildo Martina has already indicated that he would tender his resignation from the management team. Sources say Martina has already submitted a medical certificate to the management of the police force on Tuesday.
It is understood that Martina would declare his intentions to the management and other justice heads on Monday and Tuesday next week when the management and other stakeholders meet to discuss the status of the police force.
It said the top cop is depressed and is now on sick leave as he contemplates the decisions he has to take. The source said Martina is not happy with his colleagues in management, namely the Assistant Chief Commissioner of Police Ademar Doran and Lourdes Lake of Human Resources. This media house understands that the two are allegedly on a witch-hunt against officers and other administrative staff that has worked for years in the police force on St. Maarten.
SMN News also understands that Martina already had meetings with a lawyer as he intends to seek equality. As reported on Tuesday Martina who is now a scale 14 is carrying out the job of a scale 15, as he is the head of General Division. Another concern for the top cop, it is understood his colleague managed to have his promotion retroactive to 2007 while he only got his as of June 2009. Hildo Martina it is said has served the police force for over 40 years.
One of the persons that are allegedly being victimized is Jason Juliet who went for training in Curacao to work in the technical department. It is understood that because management has issues with Geronimo Juliet, (Jason’s father) they are intentionally keeping him away from the department he has to work in, they said right now the younger Juliet is carrying boxes in the police station while the central government spent over Naf. 5000.00 for his training course.
Sources say management is working hard to remove the elder Juliet from his post at the Princess Juliana International Airport.
SMN News also understands that certain members of the management team who are under qualified and not capable of performing the duties assigned to them has also been using their power in management to hinder other workers. It is said some two months ago a list was put together including files to be sent to Curacao where a number of persons were upgraded to match Curacao. One of those persons was Sylvia Gibbs who had her share of prosecution from the management team and former Minister of Justice David Dick. The source said someone in management removed Gibbs file and did not send it to Curacao, she was supposed to be upgraded from scale 11 to 12 while some immigration officers moved from scale 8 to 9. SMN News understands that all the other persons who were on the list received their extra monies while Gibbs did not, and only then her life long partner Hildo Martina found out that her files was intentionally taken out by someone in management. Some time last year, Gibbs was sent home and ordered not to visit the police station simply because she had a certain media article on her office wall. It is said the former Minister of Justice David Dick saw the article and did not feel it was appropriate and as such, he ordered former chief commissioner of police Richard Panneflek to send her home. Gibbs was home for six months and was proceeding to courts when she was asked to drop the case and return to work. Prior to that Gibbs was accused of taking out personal information from the human resources department and leaked it to the media. She was also accused of taking out valuable documents from the police department, none of which could be proved. Despite that, the source said Gibbs is being victimized on a daily basis by her superior whom they said is not qualified to hold the position. “the police force has not improved since this person took office, so it would be best for them to leave.” The source said.
SMN News also learnt that one of the requests that would be coming from the unions early next week is the immediate removal of Doran and Lake from the management team. The officers as well as the general public they said has lost confidence in these two individuals and if they are to restore peace and harmony then the two must leave forthwith.
SMN News also understands that St. Maarten is facing a major predicament because at least two persons from the management team, namely Martina and Francesca are scheduled to go on pension sometime in May 2010, while Dongor’s contract will end in April and there is no one locally to replace them. The source said Ademar Doran is also scheduled to leave the island sometime in November to begin studying in Holland. Already a Dutch national is scheduled to begin working at the police station as of October 8. The individual (Harry Sonder-wal) worked for some months in the human resource department and he left when his contract had ended sometime last year. SMN News understands that Sonder-wal is now on pension and he was hired by USONA as a technical assistant. It is also understood that at least five more professionals from Holland are expected to arrive on St. Maarten come January to take up positions in management of the KPSSS.
In the meantime, detective Carlton Philips is continuing with his mission for justice, Philips in an open letter to all media houses locally and in Curacao said, he wants an investigation to clear his name. The officer said earlier this year Assistant Chief Commissioner of Police Ademar Doran accused him of destroying evidence in 2002 while at the Criminal Investigation Department.
On Tuesday, Philips met with the leader of the Democratic Party Sarah Wescot Williams where he presented his case, which he wants taken to parliament. SMN News was on hand to capture a photograph of the meeting, which was held at the faction office. SMN News also learnt that Phillips is scheduled to meet with the other senators from the National Alliance faction where he would also present his case. The officer is also expected to travel to Curacao where he would lobby other parliamentarians to take up his case.
Following is a second letter sent to the media by detective Philips on Tuesday.
OPEN LETTER TO THE MANAGEMENT OF THE KPSSS.
PHILIPSBURG, 15 SEPTEMBER 2009
I, Carlton PHILIPS, have taken note of your undated press release in the media on September 15 2009.
Your kind attention is requested for the following:
Point number 1
Management failed to acknowledge that I, Carlton PHILLIPS, requested since February 11 2009 that an investigation be carried out concerning the accusation of “destruction of information” (in 2002). I am certain that management is aware of the fact that this is punishable by law (article 366 of the penal code of the Netherlands Antilles). I have indicated several times that I am innocent, that someone fabricated a lie, and requested that an investigation be carried out. I also indicated, that my name should be cleared and that I will not rest until my good name and honor is restored. A person’s credibility, honor and character are very sacred. Management paid no attention to my request. It seems that the fact that the open letter which appeared on September 10 th and 11, 2009, in the newspapers and on the internet finally convinced the Management of the KPSSS that I am very serious about this matter.
Point number 2
I also, believed that this issue involves an internal personnel matter. Had management dealt with this internal personnel matter in a professional and speedy manner, there would have been no reason for me going public. The fact that management indicated that no further announcement will be made at this time, is for the account of management. Management also indicated that the accusations that were launched in general terms, will be investigated. Take your time. For my part you can take another seven months to investigate these accusation, and whatever other matter you choose to investigate.
I am clean and I am determined in my quest for justice.
Point number 3
The fact that management indicated that, in general terms, management would like to say that it works hard to constantly improve the quality of the KPSSS should be applauded. That management is ambitious to always appoint the most suitable candidate within the corps when a vacancy is available is something tremendous and should be encouraged.
In January 2009, Mr. Richard PANNEFLEK left his post as acting chief of police. In February 2009, another person was approached and appointed to this position. There was no selection procedure. There was no other candidate. This means that, in this particular case, no mention can be made of “the most suitable candidate”. I can vividly remember that the former minister of justice indicated that the present acting chief of police will have to upgrade himself. I sincerely belief that his advice should be followed as soon as possible. This could maybe, lead to greater trust within the police organization.
Point number 4
Mention is made of the fact that the candidate that is not appointed to a position may protest the rejection of his candidacy.
I believe that management is trying hard to deviate from the core of my open letter. There is no need to mention anything about court for civil servants. After being on the force for 35 years I definitely know the procedure.
Further, the issue at hand is not the position that was awarded to the most suitable candidate, but the big lie that was fabricated. For me that position is something of the past. I believe that management is underestimating the intelligence of the people and that this statement is misleading.
With god’s blessings, I am looking toward a bright future, hoping that soon we will have a police organization consisting of honest, dedicated and professional people in the Management team. All this, in preparation for country St. Maarten.
Your friend and colleague,
Carlton PHILIPS