PHILIPSBURG: --- At least two Members of Parliament namely Leona Marlin Romeo and Christopher Emmanuel advised the Minister of Justice Dennis Richardson to go and speak with the regular police officers in order for him to know how they feel about him. Even though the Central Committee meeting held on Monday on crime was done behind closed doors SMN News learnt that the two MPs told the Minister of Justice that they spoke to several officers who are not at all happy with the Minister of Justice because they feel they are being victimized. One of the main reason given is the amount of officers that are waiting for promotions for years now and they are not able to get their promotions and the salaries they are entitled to even though they are putting their lives on the line.
Some officers felt that they are being victimized by their bosses and feel the Minister of Justice is not doing anything about the problems they are facing.
SMN News further learnt that Minister Richardson who attended the closed door meeting with the other members of the Council of Ministers got emotional and said if that is the way the police feel about him then he wants to know why they gave him a commendation award recently. It is further understood that Minister Richardson even told the MPs that levied the accusations that he is willing and ready to resign if that is what the officers of the Police Force wants. With regards to the award the MPs told Minister Richardson that award came from the police management team and not the regular police officers, they insisted that the Minister should stop talking to those in management and get to the officers themselves and he would eventually know what is bothering them the most and why they want him out.
Another point of discussion is the media reports on when or if the bullet proof vests were ordered for police officers.
The Central Committee meeting is expected to resume on Friday where the Council of Ministers will provide answers to Parliament on the crime situation on St. Maarten.
