Philipsburg:--- The police core of St. Maarten turned out in large numbers on Tuesday to pay their last respects to the family and friends of Police Inspector Guillermo Rumnit who passed away last week after being ill for a long period of time. Attending the service on behalf of the Government of St. Maarten were Prime Minister Sarah Wescot Williams, Deputy Prime Minister William Marlin, Member of Parliament George Pantophlet, and Minister of Justice Roland Duncan.
Member of Parliament George Pantophlet described Rumnit as a role model, the one that taught him how to conduct interviews with people seeking to become Dutch citizens. Other colleagues described Rumnit as a great singer, he was part of the Methodist Church Choir and the Police Choir where he served not only as an officer of the law, but as someone who was precise with his musical talent. The late Inspector Rumnit was also described as someone who loved to invent and believed in science. He loved gardening and was also known for his dancing skills.
Police Inspector Pico Simmons in his tribute said that he believes that good officers should be given their flowers when they are alive. Simmons who was obviously emotional in his tribute said that he and Rumnit joined the force at the same time in Aruba and besides being colleagues, they were also friends. Simmons said Rumnit served the Police Korps for 35 years and he is calling on the management team of KPSM to make sure they hand over the honorary award for the years of service Rumnit served to his relatives.
Police Inspector Antonio Rogers also described Rumnit as an outstanding officer of the law. Rogers said Rumnit was someone who always had good advice for those that sought it, especially when it came to maintaining law and order.
Chief Commissioner of Police Peter de Witte in his message said that he was not privileged to meet Rumnit in service when he was appointed Chief Commissioner of Police on St. Maarten. However, based on what he has heard from his colleagues in KPSM, he came to the conclusion that Inspector Rumnit was a highly dedicated and respected police officer who was working at the Simpson Bay Police Outpost. De Witte said that he even felt as though he knew Rumnit for years based on the stories he heard about him prior to him becoming ill. De Witte gave a breakdown of the years Rumnit dedicated to the force. He said Inspector Rumnit joined the police force in Aruba on May 1st, 1976 as a recruit.
On June 1st 1978 he was appointed constable;
On June 1st 1980 he was promoted to officer first class;
On June 1st 1985 to December 1st 1985 he was temporarily transferred from the Police Force of Aruba to the Police Force of the Windward Islands.
On May 1st 1994 he was promoted to sergeant on St. Maarten.
On February 1st, 1995 he was promoted to Police Major.
On September 1st 2000 he was appointed as Inspector of Police and assigned to Simpson bay Police Station as team leader.
The St. Maarten Chief Commissioner of Police said that the late Rumnit worked in various departments including the investigating (detective) department, Special Regulation, Surveillance Service, and also as an Assistant Public Prosecutor. On May 1st, 2012 he celebrated 35th anniversary in the Police Force.
De Witte also expressed his condolences to the family of the late Inspector Rumnit especially his only daughter Lauren Rumnit. After the service at the Royal Funeral Home the body as taken by police escort to the home where Rumnit resided for years on E. Camille Richardson Street, then to the Police Station in Philipsburg where Chief of Police Peter de Witte handed over a photograph to the late Rumnit's daughter for her to place among the fallen officers of the force.
On the way to the Cul de Sac Cemetery, the police marched from Le Grand Marche to the cemetery for internment.
Click here to view more photos of the Farewell Ceremony for the late Inspector Rumnit.
