The Minister of Justice, Honorable Mr. Perry Geelings opened the Basic Police Training “BPO” class of new police recruits on Friday morning November 15th 2019. The new class of 21 cadets will be having their training at the Vineyard Building in Philipsburg.
This training program is again being handled by Chief Inspector Rob Appelhof from the Police Academy in the Netherlands ,who managed the last BPO class that graduated a few months ago. Mr. Appelhof is in charge of police training for the Dutch Caribbean.
Through the great collaboration between the minister of Justice, the Honorable Mr. Perry Geelings, the police force of St. Maarten and the Police Academy of the Netherlands it was possible to recruit and hire new group of cadets in a very short time for this new class.
One important aspect that is taken up during this academic training is that teachers from the police academy will be working with teachers from St. Maarten to implement the education program. During the training the cadets will alternate, with a period of time at school, then immediately apply what they have learned in practice. The practical part of the training will then conclude a period of different exams.
Among other things, the cadet will learn during the training, how to supervise, enforce the various laws and work investigations. After this intensive training, the rookies will be ready to fulfill the police tasks on St.Maarten.
The police force will like to thank all does who made possible for the class of new cadets to start on such short notice.