Philipsburg:--- The police internal affairs and the chief of police of the KPSSS Peter de Witte is yet to inform the commander of the Voluntary Korps(VKS) about their ongoing investigation involving a VKS officer. The VKS officer identified as R.J Sr. is accused of taking monies from the United Peoples Party in exchange for his vote. On Wednesday the Chief of Police confirmed to SMN News that internal affairs are busy investigating two police officers, a civil servant and the VKS accused of taking monies from the UP Party. De Witte said the motive of the investigation is for the police management team to find out exactly what transpired and what the officers were paid for.Jean Illidge of the VKS told SMN News that to date he did not get any official notification from the police force about the investigation. The commander said he learnt of the incident via the news and he believes that if the management of the police force is investigating one of his officers then they will follow proper procedures and inform him so the VKS will also be able to take action. "As the commander of the VKS, I would need to know what the officer is accused of and the outcome of the investigation so we too can take measures to prevent such incidents." Illidge said.
De Witte said police internal affairs started the investigation while he was off island on working business. The VKS officer allegedly transported monies destined for two police officers a civil servant and himself from the headquarters of the United Peoples Party, but on his way to the police station where the monies were distributed he opened an envelope belonging to the civil servant and shared the money up.
Asked about the notification Chief of Police Peter de Witte said he could not say if the commander was notified since he was off island and just recently returned. "However, if that was not done then I will personally inform him today Friday." De Witte said. De Witte also said when the investigation is completed a decision will be taken as to how the police management would deal with the matter.
SMN News further learnt that while these four officers were caught taking monies from the UP Party several other officers took monies from other political parties and individual politicians. "I received text messages from police officers who have identified themselves as officers of the law that was looking for something in exchange for their vote and the votes of their family members. But I texted these persons back telling them that I do not engage in such behavior. This election I lost votes considerably and that was because I decided not to engage in vote buying." Said one politician that contested the September 17 elections.
In the meantime Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba who was on St. Maarten on a working visit said even though she was on the island and met with the management of the police force no one informed her of the investigation. However, the minister said she learnt of the investigation via the news and as such she is commending the police organization and especially the management team for initiating the investigation. "This year's election was not about who worked and who could work for countries St. Maarten and Curacao, instead it was about who had the most monies on both islands." Jacoba said voters were given laptops, blackberries, monies and other material items in exchange for their votes on Curacao and St. Maarten and if officers of the law were caught selling their votes they should face the consequences.