WILLEMSTAD--The union of civil servants working for the police "Sindikato di Ámtenarnan di Polis" (SAP) is concerned about the safety of the Curaçao people following a letter of June 12, that interim corps chief Marlon Wernet sent to the Minister of Justice Elmer Wilsoe (PS) concerning the financial situation at the Police Corps Curaçao KPC.
"The cash register is empty. There is no money to pay overtime," stated SAP-president Marco Lacle.
He emphasised that he is no supporter of having police officers work overtime, because he believes they should spend more time with their families; however, he realises this cannot occur at the expense of public safety.
Lacle is not pleased. He hesitated to speak of financial mismanagement, but said it would not surprise him if that were the case.
SAP is currently collecting information. Lacle wants to obtain all figures before deciding on any action, but if there is indeed a question of financial mismanagement, he expects the Minister of Justice to assume his responsibility.
The biggest problem the minister is to tackle is the current understaffing of the district teams. According to the union leader. "All projects to combat crime have been halted and one mustn't be surprised if several district stations are closed," Lacle warned. He recalls how the largest district station at Rio Canario was closed several years ago due to understaffing and he fears similar situations.
SAP had met with Wilsoe six weeks ago to discuss the financial situation of the corps. According to Lacle the minister stated at the time that he had approached all the other ministers, but none were able to make money available for the Ministry of Justice. As a result, all projects were halted, also the "Aquafina" project to combat burglaries and organised crime.
Lacle has also understood from a reliable source that all police departments will receive a letter on the situation and urged SAP-members not to give assistance if they are short-staffed. He finds the latter extremely dangerous and does not want the employees to endanger themselves.
The SAP-president further mentioned the intention to meet with the policy leader entrusted with the financial and personnel management of the corps, but that the appointment was cancelled at the last moment. "He was to meet with the minister and interim corps chief."
Lacle assumes they discussed the financial situation and that the minister gave instructions to chart the state of affairs. He certainly hopes they decide against further retrenchments considering the current insufficient means the officers have to work with, such as fewer patrol cars for which they are not given any gasoline coupons.
Neither Wilsoe nor Wernet were available for comment.
Source: http://www.thedailyherald.com/islands/1-islands-news/28852-no-money-to-pay-police-overtime-.html
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