The (BPO) Basic Police Training for the recruits that was postponed last year due to the passing of hurricanes Irma and Maria has restarted. Chief Inspector Rob Appelhof from Police Academy in the Netherlands in charge police training for the Dutch Caribbean has again arrived on Sint Maarten to restart this training. Rob Appelhof regularly travels to Sint Maarten on work related visits and was also on the island during the passing of hurricane Irma. He commends police force for a job well done in the aftermath of the hurricanes with the focus on keeping Sint Maarten safe and secure.
The police training school which was located in the former BBW building in Sucker garden was destroyed by the hurricanes. New arrangements had to be made for a training location. Classrooms at The University of Sint Maarten are now being used as a temporary location to get the training back on track. Many of the recruits, who had not finalized the exams in certain subjects of the last module both practical and theoretical, have had the opportunity to pass these exams. All classes for this training have resumed, which is also part of the continued building of strong professional police organization.
A second and third class for the Basic Police Training will commence during the second half of 2018.