Brissette said that police has a tremendous responsibility towards the people of their country. He described the role of the police in a democratic society. “Police is to uphold and maintain law and order in the community, they are to uphold justice and equality under the law as well as they are the caretakers of safety and security of the various islands” Brissette said. He reminded the officers that every citizen has the right to safety as well as freedom from abuse and as police officers they have the responsibility to make the streets a safe place.
Police are called to uphold the law with their professionalism and competencies as well as their integrity. He said society needs to have a powerful, professional and efficient police force, one that is transparent, unbiased and impartial. Police officers are called to carry out their duties as an effective crime fighting machine that would keep the crime rate lower. “As police officers you should carry out your duties impartially without discrimination and be mindful that no one acts above the laws. Police officers should serve their country with a sense of pride and honor and command with trust, faith and confidence.” Brisette outlined.
“Officers you should carry out your duties with core values such as integrity honesty, fairness, courage and loyalty striving towards excellence in every aspect of your work” Furthermore Police officers should be model citizens and be considered role models by their conduct, civic attitude and patriotism. He said that the elderly must be able to depend on the police while the youths must look up to them. “When a young boy or girl sees you in your uniform they must be able to say I would like to be a policeman or woman and they should not say the Babylon shall fall”. Brisette cautioned the officers that even though they have the right to carry a weapon (gun) they should not be arrogant and believe they have the license to use excessive force and engage in Police brutality instead they should establish strong relations with the local community.
The Police Force he said has to establish community policing by working with and through the communities. They need to develop a stronger police and community relationship based on respect and trust. He said that to achieve these values Police needs the necessary trainings as well as proper supervision and leadership for the true values of the police to be acquired.
Also speaking to the police was Pastor Royston Philbert who encouraged the police officers to look up and not down or dismayed with the negative outlook they are having. Philbert said any institution that survives 59 years is indeed to a great institution. He said now is not the time for them to be reminded of the past but instead they should learn the lessons of the past and they should rededicate themselves for future endeavors in their community. He said he is mindful of the job a police officer has to carry out, one that is high and noble.
The police he said placed their lives on the line for the community and they should not be spoken down upon. “What the police does for the community no one else will do it for others”. They have become multi tasks individuals and no amount of monetary rewards given to them can ever suffice the time and effort they place on the jobs. Philbert said police officers have become drug addict and marriage councilors in today’s society. Furthermore, the job of the police is a stressful job since people have become very volatile and most of all since the people have taken on a natural instinct to be anti-police. “Despite it all the society is safer with the police and they do need chaplet who would assist and give guidance to officers but if that is not the case then I am making my services available to your organization” Philbert said.
Among the officers at yesterday’s ceremony were several senior citizens who joined the police in celebrating their milestone. Several officers were seen clutching an elderly assisting them in and out of the church. Also present was Captain Loic Baras from the French Gendarmes, Keithly Benjamin from the Royal Anguilla Police Force, Prosecutor Rick Mud, Judges Wilfred Manning and Wally Haverthong, Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards as well as commissioner Maria Buncamper Molanus, and Island Council member George Pantophlet and his wife.
At the brunch the police recognized Jack Monsanto a retired police officer who had a message for the police. Monsanto an outspoken and disgruntled officer said it took 20 years after his retirement for the local police core to recognize that he is out their with much knowledge and expertise that he is willing to share with them.
Chief of Police Richard Pannflek also addressed his colleagues telling them that he is looking forward to see them upholding their pledge when they entered the police force which he is proud to be leading.
island Chief of Police Franklyn Richards in his address to the police said he is delighted to join the commemoration of the 59th anniversary of the Netherlands Antilles Police Force, certainly a high point in the continuation of this institute.
“Today is a day for us to think about the future and what kind of police force you would need to become to meet the many ever-emerging challenges facing us now and in the future. ” Richards said since they are not only celebrating the police force’s proud heritage, but looking forward to an exciting and positive future for the people of St. Maarten, with a motivated, well equipped, well-trained and better structured police organization there to protect them.
The Windward Islands Police Corps has served these communities proudly and well over close to 60 years.
The overwhelming majority of the many members of our police force have distinguished themselves on that sense of duty that drives police services across the community.
He said the police have proven that not only do they have the skills and ability, but more importantly a positive attitude that shows that they have what it takes and they can be trusted to stay true to their oath of protecting and serving while upholding the law and not allowing themselves to be sidetracked.
“I believe that maybe without even realizing, the police department has been touching lives, winning hearts…and now is the time for bringing the W.I. Police Force closer to the people.”
Maybe this is the time to give new impetus to police-community relations by coming up with innovative ideas and approaches in networking with the community and other concerned agencies of the government.
The counterpart of police action against crimes and criminals is the cooperation and support of the community.
“Let us begin leading the way in building stronger and dynamic neighborhood partnerships with, among others, Community Councils. “ he asked.
People all over St. Maarten can be most instrumental in providing feedback, identifying focus areas and harnessing the energy of the public as one collective unit for peace and order.
The importance of an open channel for communication and feedback on police action and operations is underscored by the success of our police force in solving crime; the police can be proud of the fact that citizens cared enough to lead police to the whereabouts and subsequent apprehension of one of the most wanted fugitives in the U.S., on the shores not too long ago.
The time has come to open the channel for communication, as is now the case, could also aid in ‘declaring war on crime”; it would certainly facilitate for having the community coming together and deciding that they have had enough.
The recently initiated painting over of graffiti believed, in some cases, to be related to what is described as an imported ‘gang’ culture is a good example of how community can do something and send out the message that it too, can fight back.
As Local Chief of Police, I remain committed to the idea of aiding and or facilitating the development of the police force in becoming a more professional organization, with its own budget, prepared within the framework of a sound multi-year financial policy.
