St. Maarten Private Eye

SXM News Network

Philipsburg:-An investigation is underway by the internal affairs of the police department involving two police officers on St. Maarten and an employee of the driver’s license department of Saba, the civil servant was a former police officer of the Windward Islands Police Department. The investigation involves allegation into a number of driver’s licenses that were issued under illegal circumstances. The racket being probed will have a full report turned over to the Island Chief of Police and Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards sometime today or tomorrow SMN News have been reliably informed

The investigation began some three weeks ago after persons filed complaints at the police department in Philipsburg fingering two cops that are presently on duty. The two cops whose names have been provided is still working and it is expected the results of the probe will be announced sometime this week.

Chief Prosecutor Taco Stein said he is aware of the investigation that involves the issuing of drivers licenses under the wrong concept, but the Chief Prosecutor of the Windward Islands did not have much details except to say that the investigation is conducted by the Fraud department of the Police Department.

Stein said he is does not know if this investigation is under the orders of the Island Chief of Police as he is not yet briefed on the outcome of the investigation.

Chief Commissioner of Police Derrick Holiday who recently became the center stage due to several wrong doings committed by police officers while he is in office is off island vacationing. Holiday is expected back in office August 3 2007.

SMN News understands from reliable sources that Holiday’s position is seriously being considered by the Minister of Justice David Dick who was on St. Maarten last week meeting with several department heads, including the Lt. Governor and Prosecutor’s office. The justice minister also met with the police unions and the unions of the house of detention.
In an earlier interview with SMN News, Minister Dick said that he has listened to all parties on St. Maarten and he will be doing the necessary investigations to see if the allegations made against the senior cop are valid. One of those allegations is the defrauding of the federal government by collecting house rent allowances.

add new comment