St. Maarten Private Eye

Gun Totting Detective Left for Psychiatric Evaluation - 19th July 2008

From SMN News

Philipsburg: ---- Detective Alexander Casiana has left St. Maarten yesterday afternoon for Curacao where he would undergo a psychiatric evaluation since he is suspected of having a severe medical condition. Authorities are not ruling out the possibilities that Casiana would face criminal charges for his actions on Thursday morning. Even if it turned out that the detective has a mental condition then he would no longer be fit for the police force SMN News understands. Casiana is already suspended from the police force of the Netherlands Antilles.

SMN News has been reliably informed that the detective has been going through some personal problems since he is dealing with his divorce and just recently he learnt that his lover was cheating on him. “The man had enough and he just flipped when he fired those shots and this would definitely affect his career” the well placed source said.

“This goes to show that police officers are neglected on St. Maarten, since this is not the first time an officer flipped when under stress. Some years ago Cornelius Sprott shot the mother of his child before taking his own life in the presence of his ten year old daughter” one concerned officer said.

One legal mind said that are at least three social workers within the Police Force on Curacao while St. Maarten, Saba and Statia does not even have one, something they have been requesting for years and their pleas fell on deaf ears. Several federal civil servants contacted this media house complaining that the unions are not properly representing their membership; instead the unions are busy making sweetheart deals for themselves. SMN News contacted a representative of the police union and they refused to comment on the allegation.

Casiana is yet to be interrogated by any level of authorities because he is medically unfit; he only spoke to several doctors who concluded he flipped and may have a mental problem. Despite the preliminary conclusions given by the police doctor locally these scenarios have to be followed up by specialists on Curacao. Depending on the outcome of the evaluation authorities would then decide how to proceed with the case.

In the case of the female officer Lexus Philips may well have to leave St. Maarten for another location within the Netherlands Antilles. However, authorities are tightlipped on the case. SMN News understands that this possibility is under discussion within higher ranks.

Early Thursday morning neighbors and residents of Betty’ Estate woke up to gunshots when the detective began firing shots at the home of his lover and colleague who allegedly was with another man at the time of the incident.

The detective who is part of the swat team is accused of going into Club Déjà vu a few months ago and shut down the business establishment when he learnt Phillips lost her service revolver in the club. Phillips was allegedly under the influence of alcohol when the incident occurred. Some years ago the officer was doing a road control in Simpson Bay when he fired several shots at a moving vehicle that failed to stop. The driver of the vehicle took the officer to court whom he said used excessive force.

In an invited comment Chief Prosecutor Taco Stein said they discussed the case and the medical trail prevailed for now. He confirmed the detective left St. Martin for medical evaluation. SMN News will bring you more information on this case when it becomes available.

add new comment | read more