The next Justice Minister, said to be UP candidate Jules James, will have his hands full with the local prison and police force, if today’s story from The Hague quoting Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations Minister Ronald Plasterk is any indication. Based on the most recent report by the Plans of Approach Progress Committee, he painted a dark picture of the two law enforcement organisations.
Concrete steps and financial reprioritising are needed to solve the urgent problems. Severe understaffing is one of the main issues.
Plasterk would not go as far as Dutch Member of Parliament (MP) André Bosman, who spoke of “structural resistance” on St. Maarten’s part, but did say the lack of means on his budget cited by outgoing Justice Minister Edson Kirindongo was not an acceptable reason for the current state of both institutions. The incoming Government will be held to the agreements to strengthen the Justice sector and must set the necessary priorities to do so.
Establishing a crime fund to provide alternative finances was mentioned, as well as going after suspected illegal proceeds more. These options and enhancing efficiency could certainly help offset some of the cost to realise the envisioned improvements, but one can hardly doubt more means will be required.
The draft 2017 budget presented to the Council of Ministers may even have to be reviewed and changed, as a considerable number of additional qualified personnel are to be hired. The Committee thankfully did mention that “a substantial contribution of the Netherlands in the form of financing and expertise is needed for several years.”
However, it’s also about making the wrong choices, such as to stop using the Actpol information system. Sure, that saves some money, but it is considered detrimental to law enforcement not just locally but within the kingdom.
