PHILIPSBURG:--- Several dignitaries including the Prime Minister of St. Maarten Sarah Wescot Williams, President of Parliament Gracita Arrindell, MP Johan Janchi Leornard, Minister of Education Patricia Laurens, Secretary General from the Ministry of Justice Richard Panneflek, outgoing Chief Prosecutor Hans Mos, and Head of Customs Anthony Doran joined the management team of KPSM and Acting Minister of Justice Martin Hassink at the first graduation ceremony for BPO cadets on Wednesday morning. The management team of KPSM decorated the front of the Philipsburg Police Station and placed large tents outside where the graduation ceremony was held. Eleven out of the twelve cadets that graduated on Wednesday immediately took the oath in the presence of Acting Minister of Justice Martin Hassink while Chief Commissioner of Police Peter de Witte congratulated them as he welcomed them into the organization as police officers.
Head of the School of Police Science Conchita Alvarez presented the diplomas to the cadets who took part in a parade to open the ceremony. Alvarez in her address to the cadets and their relatives said that the idea for the project was conceived three years ago and it is her opinion that they achieved a great result. "All parties have put resources, energy, effort and sometimes a lot of hard work in the training of the young police officers. Every community deserves a well trained police force and I am convinced that the graduates have the knowledge, skills, and attitude needed for good police work. I really hope that KPSM will succeed in merging the new skills and capacity of the young cadets."
Chief Commissioner of Police Peter de Witte thanked the three teachers who taught the cadets and expressed profound gratitude to Commissioner of Police Carl John and Inspector of Police Keturah Brown who acted as the coaches for the cadets while in training. De Witte said its been three years now since St. Maarten became a country within Kingdom of The Netherlands and one of his goals is to develop a professional police force by providing the necessary training. He said St. Maarten was successful in providing the training due to excellent cooperation between the Police Force of Bonaire and the Dutch Police Academy. The top cop said 80% of the training took place on the island while the other 20% took place in Bonaire.
De Witte extended congratulations to the cadets who managed to finish the first part of the Basic Police Training (BPO) especially because the training the new cadets received was much more challenging compared to the old program, therefore it is fitting to highly compliment them for their achievements. In addressing the cadets, De Witte told them that they have learned the theoretical part of the program now they have to express what they learned through practice in order to protect the community, its visitors, and the fight against crime. The top cop said just last week he was engaged in some discussions to have the police academy continue the program they started with the BPO. The other part of the program will last between one year to 18 months but first KPSM has to get the quotation on what it would cost them for the continuation of the program.
Commissioner of Police Carl John in his closing remarks said that St. Maarten now has more experience in cooperating with other islands of the former Netherlands Antilles. He made no mistake by stating that he is extremely proud to be a member of KPSM. "The only reason this is possible is because St. Maarten cooperated with other entities on the island. He said for the BPO training program USONA stood 100% beside them, while the Justice Ministry was prepared to face the challenges that stood before them when the island obtained its new status on October 10th, 2010." John said when the project was presented to them they scrutinized it heavily in order to produce quality police officers for the island. John explained that for a period of two years there were people in the upper ranks who made them understand that there are better ways of doing things despite the culture on St. Maarten and they were able to do different things in different ways. John also gave the teachers credit for their work, especially one of them who stood as a father figure for the cadets. "In many speeches I have heard that St. Maarten will be thrown in the waters and they will have to learn how to swim. I want to recognize the fact that after the planning I realized that St. Maarten has talent so I took one of the most experienced inspectors of the force to coach the new cadets. The coach, Keturah Brown, did an incredible job." While addressing the students he told them that he was involved in their school now he has the opportunity to guide them. "You were not compelled to choose the profession to become a police officer, but now that you have chosen it you are obligated to perform the duties of a police officer, while living in the high standards of life that comes with the job. Some of the requirements are for you to serve your community, be an example in your community, and if you do not form a partnership with the community you will be misunderstood, you will be criticized, and most of all you will be put on the dishonest way." John told the new officers that policing demands a noble character, courage, and loyalty. "Loyalty to the organization and loyalty to the community of St. Maarten," with that he presented a token to the cadets that they are to take along with them and use it as they carry the message of hope for KPSM.
Click here to view more photos of the graduation ceremony on Wednesday morning.