COLE BAY--Eighty custom-made bulletproof vests for the Police Force of St. Maarten arrived this past weekend. Former Minister of Justice Dennis Richardson had requested while in office to have them made and they were ordered by Toni M Impex in Cole Bay.
According to police spokesman Chief Inspector Ricardo Henson, “These vests are of lightweight and very strong material and are specifically made for every individual officer. The vest can easily and comfortably be worn under the police uniform. These vests were ordered as part of the plan of approach to better protect the officers while carrying out their duty.
“The management team of the Police Force is very happy to have received these vests for its officers, and want to thank the former Justice Minister for living up to his commitment for having these vests ordered.”
Chief of Police Carl John has made it mandatory for all officers to wear their bulletproof vests while on duty. The vests have been distributed among the officers and the temporary vests were returned and stored for use when necessary.
Police union NAPB President Jeanine Peterson was present with board member Janice Philips and said the union was happy with this development. She urged all colleagues to make proper use of the vests due to the recent increase of violence against officers.
Philips concluded by thanking former minister Richardson for living up to the promise he had made.
