The gendarmes made the reminder in a press release referring to the accident of a patrol car that lost control on Monday on Bellevue while in pursuit of two suspects who might have committed a crime on the Dutch side. The gendarmes said they are busy conducting an investigation into the accident which occurred about 500 meters beyond the border.
The release further states that this is not the first time a patrol car from the Dutch side has lost control while on pursuit on the French side. They reminded that on October 13 2007 a near fatal accident occurred. In relation to Monday's incident they said the two victims (police officers) were received minor injuries was removed from the scene by officers of the Dutch police force. The victims were taken to the St. Maarten Medical Center where they was treated and released later that same day.
Despite the absence of a cross border agreement, it does not mean suspects will get away unpunished, the Gendarmerie added. Cooperation continues to exist in real time between the two respective forces of order to facilitate arrests on either side of the border. This was demonstrated on February 27 when two armed individuals were arrested by the Dutch side police for robbing businesses in French Quarter and was attributed to quick communications and exchange of information. All Gendarmerie patrols were alerted as well as the Dutch side police.
The international cross border agreement is still under study by the two Governments concerned. The police department on the Dutch side has so far remained tightlipped on the accident which cost them a police vehicle.
