Eight Inspectors from Inspectorate of Public Health, Social Development and Labor Sworn In

Eight Inspectors from the Inspectorate of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (Inspectorate VSA) were sworn in as extra ordinary police by the Minister of Justice Hon. Roland Duncan.

 

In October 2010 the end of the Netherlands Antilles became a fact. The "new country" Sint Maarten took up the responsibility for its legislation and enforcement of the law.

To be able to do this Sint Maarten had to establish its own supervision and enforcement institutions in several areas. These include healthcare, pharmaceuticals, food safety, daycare centers, labor and labor safety and environmental hygiene.

The Inspectorate VSA is headed by the Inspector General Dr. Earl Best.

Inspections can be conducted either announced or unannounced. To fulfill her task the Inspectorate is authorized to demand all information necessary such as demanding the inspection of books, documents, records and authorized to copy those or temporarily confiscate the aforementioned.

The Inspectorate is authorized to enter any place, if needed with the help of the police. Private homes are an exception, permission must be granted by the tenant.

To accomplish its task, the Inspectorate has several means to enforce the law, a simple warning, confiscation, a fine or closure. If necessary a case can be handed over to the public prosecutor’s office or a disciplinary judicial entity.

The Inspectorate also has an advisory role to the Minister VSA and to other departments within the ministry.