Proposed personnel would focus on prevention and public assistance in busy tourist areas; firearm authorization faces training constraints.
PHILIPSBURG:--- Sint Maarten’s proposed tourist police initiative remains a pilot awaiting finalized funding and mandates, Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling told Parliament during discussions on the draft 2027 budget.
Responding to MP Darryl York, Tackling outlined a preventive, public-assistance role intended to increase visible presence in crowded tourist areas while allowing regular police officers to focus on high-impact crime.
However, she did not announce a confirmed launch date.
The proposal’s readiness depends on completing its financial arrangements and defining the personnel’s authority and responsibilities.
Preventive Presence and Public Assistance
Tackling said tourist police personnel would assist residents and visitors and strengthen the feeling of safety through their presence.
Their duties would differ from regular police work, including handling emergency calls.
The Minister argued that assigning these preventive and assistance tasks to tourist police could free KPSM officers to focus on more serious criminal activity.
“We all want more police presence on the streets, and we all want it as fast as possible,” she said.
She said the pilot could provide that presence within a short timeframe, while acknowledging the outstanding requirements.
Firearms Require Two Years of Police Training
York also sought clarification on whether tourist police would be permitted to carry firearms.
Tackling explained that becoming a fully armed police officer requires two years of basic police training. She said neither the time nor funding was available for additional training classes, while the police academy in the Netherlands could offer only one annual class shared between KPSM and the Caribbean Netherlands police force.
Recruitment presents another obstacle. Only seven and five candidates qualified for the last two training intakes, she said, and law enforcement organizations compete for the same limited pool of suitable applicants.
These constraints mean the tourist police proposal cannot be treated as an immediate supply of additional fully trained, armed officers.
Pepper Spray and Tasers Remain Under Review
Tackling said research into police use of pepper spray and Tasers was being finalized. Taser use would require an amendment to the legislation governing the use of force.
The pilot would examine whether those tools were feasible for tourist police personnel.
Her response did not establish that either had been approved for their use.
Clear Mandate Needed Before Launch
The Minister’s explanation presents the tourist police pilot as one way to increase preventive presence while KPSM faces substantial staffing shortages.
Its effectiveness will depend on a clear mandate, appropriate training, supervision and coordination with regular officers.
Before launch, the outstanding funding and authority arrangements must be finalized. Parliament and the public also need clarity on staffing numbers, deployment areas, operating hours and how the pilot’s results will be evaluated.
Tackling has described the intended benefit. The next milestone is a funded, operational program with clearly defined responsibilities and a confirmed starting date.
