Philipsburg:--- Two police officers, a VKS officer and civil servant attached to the St. Maarten Police Force will have to brace themselves for the decision that will be taken by the prosecutor's office in the near future. SMN News learnt that the Chief of Police Peter de Witte has handed over the report of an investigation that was conducted by Police Internal Affairs to the prosecutor's office for them to take a decision on whether or not they would prosecute the cops for selling their votes to the United People's Party. Chief of Police Peter de Witte confirmed on Friday that the report has been completed and it was turned over to the prosecutor's office. The top cop said he will not discuss or release the contents of the report, but one should be able to read what might be in the report if it was sent to the Prosecutor's office for further evaluation.According to reports reaching SMN News is that the four officers took a police car and went to the United People's Party head office in Pointe Blanche claiming they were called to restore order. However, it turned out that the two cops, VKS and civil servant went to the UP office seeking money in exchange for their votes. Other sources say some officers requested television and other electronic gadgets from the leader of the United Peoples Party Theo Heyliger.
The source said those at the UP main office told the cops they would call them when their envelopes were ready. Later that day the officers were called at the police station and told that the envelopes were ready and the VKS was sent to pick up four envelopes containing $300 for each of the officers. However, the VKS officer got greedy and he opened one of the envelopes and shared the monies in that envelope among the three others. SMN News learnt that the civil servant is the one who did not get the envelope that was sent to her and she created a commotion inside the police station which sparked the investigation. The officers are C.L.R.C and A.M with VKS R.J Sr. and civil servant G.W.
De Witte said based on the rumours where police personnel had been involved in taking monies from political parties a fact finding investigation was conducted by Police Internal Affairs and the results have now been forwarded to the Prosecutor's Office for further evaluation.
Based on article 126 of the penal code any person who offers a bribe is equally responsible as the person or persons who accepted the bribe. If proven guilty the culprits can face as much as six months in jail for bribery.
