There are 100 gendarmes on the French side of the island. No more no less and these men are spread over the island in different departments including administration. At least 40 of them who are less experience are placed in the first response team. The second response which deals with severe cases has 36 men, three for delinquents, and the others are in the administrative sections of the gendarmerie. There is nowhere St. Martin can get more gendarmes because this the amount allotted based on the size of the population.
Another harsh reality is that because of the amount of men there is nowhere all the outpost can remain open to the public 24/7. To utilize the men on duty the patrols have to take turns in their locations. Surprising there are only two patrols on duty. They expect to add an additional patrol come November 1 2008 due to Christmas season.
The reality of the system is that it is obvious the gendarmes are short staffed and there is not much they can do based on the laws they have to abide by. The gendarmes are not POLICE they are MILITARY MEN, who are not fit for St. Martin. The island needs to have Police Nationale who has more power and grip on crime.
