"We have defied the nay-sayers, we have defied them to such an extent that today some of our fiercest critics must admit that we have managed considerably well"
The prime Minister of St. Maarten the Honorable Sarah Wescot-Williams was the Keynote Speaker at the NAPB Police Union Congress at the Festival Village on Wednesday.
The Prime Minister, during her address to the participants, focused on the strides made thus far by the police force since the constitutional changes of 10-10-10. The Prime Minister in particular commented on the fact that the St. Maarten Police Force has come a long way since the dissolving of the Netherlands Antilles Police Force; "We have come a very long way from our less than ideal starting position 10-10-10. We have been able to make significant strides and made what is becoming a significant, effective and professional police force for our new country. We have defied the nay-sayers, we have defied them to such an extent that today some of our fiercest critics must admit that we have managed considerably well considering all which was given to us," commented the Prime Minister.
The PM continued by addressing the crowd that the police have the significant of providing safety to the community and that the union in its representation has to consider that aspect as well. "This two year anniversary of country St. Maarten is a good time to take stock as a union, a police force and the individual members of the union of the situation at hand, of where we have left off and where we are going and the significant strides we have made to achieve our goals. We should also examine collectively what is necessary to make the police force into one of the most professional and effective law enforcement organization in the region. I encourage you to build on your personal and institutional capacities to make this a reality," concluded the Prime Minister
The Prime Minister’s Address was followed by a Frank and open Question and Answer session.