St. Maarten Private Eye

From SMN-News

In the meantime, a press release from the island chief of police Mr. Franklyn Richards states that on Monday (yesterday) he officially informed the Windward Islands police corps of a decision taken by the Minister of Justice, David Dick, entailing the temporary relieving of the Chief of the Windward Islands Police Corps, Chief Commissioner of Police, Mr. Derrick Holiday, from his post.
The confirmation was made by the Local Chief of Police in a letter, of which the content was made known to the police force, by Commissioner of Police, Richard Panneflek.
The letter indicates that the Local Chief of Police considers it of importance that members of the police force are officially informed of the present developments surrounding Mr. Holiday.
This notwithstanding that the formal decision with regards to the Chief Commissioner of Police was taken by the Minister of Justice. At the moment of the first reports of the decision appearing in the media, the Minister of Justice reported that he will address the police force, in regard to this delicate affair.
In the letter, Governor Richards explained that according to the law, the Minister of Justice is the competent authority with regards to the appointment and discharge of the Chief of the police force. The Minister has taken a decision to temporarily re-assign Mr. Holiday, as of February 1, 2008 to the Directorate of Justice Affairs, for duration of two years. During that period, he would be made available to the Minister of Justice.
Mr. Holiday will be charged with providing support to the minister with the establishment of the judicial chain for the island territory of St. Maarten, with an eye on the pending constitutional structure.
This, in essence, means that Mr. Holiday is temporarily relieved from the function of Chief of the Windward Islands police corpse, as of February 1, 2008. The decision was, in any case, taken in consultation with Mr. Holiday.
Taking into consideration his experience with the police force, the minister is of the opinion that Mr. Holiday has the required qualities and capacities to be of service to the process of providing support to the establishment of the judicial chain for the island territory of St. Maarten.
As a result of the temporary relieving of Mr. Holiday as chief of the police force, the acting chief of police, Commissioner of Police, Richard Panneflek, is now functioning as chief of the police force.
The Local Chief of Police, Franklyn Richards, is not, at this time, in a position, to comment on reports that another candidate is being recruited as chief of the Windward Islands police force. The eventual commenting on such is left up to the Minister of Justice, as the competent authority. The minister has indicated that he will be doing so, in due time.
Governor Richards ends his letter by stating that he realizes that the latest developments will raise questions, including questions regarding future developments, among members of the police corps.
Nonetheless, Richards appeals to members of the police corps, to continue with their daily tasks and to work constructively together towards a properly functioning police corps.

Meanwhile, a press release from the Minister of Justice David Dick states that partly giving content to the request of the Island Territory of St. Maarten, in the context of the alignment of political structure as quickly as possible to get a body to the law enforcement duties of the Land by the island to take over, the Minister of Justice, David Dick, in close consultation with competent authorities of the Island Territory of St. Maarten, the Directorate of Justice, Chief of Police Corps St. Maarten, Saba and St. Eustatius, Mr. Derrick Holiday, with the support of this. Given among other things, the complexity and urgency associated with this task, it is neither desirable Holiday, this task should not be underestimated, in addition to his current post of Korpschef for the Windward Islands, being carried out.

Mr. Holiday is for a period of 2 years is made available to the Minister of Justice. From the Department of Judicial Affairs will, in accordance event, to the Minister in the context of the change in the political structure, support the establishment of the judicial chain on St. Maarten. In this context, it is agreed that Holiday will be for a period of two years for the construction, transfer and aftercare for this process. The release said that Mr. Holiday is no stranger in the path of political structure together with Dennis Richardson, member St. Maarten Legal and Law Project (PRRC), is charged with drafting the chapter on Justice, as agreed in the Final Declaration of November 2, 2006.
During the absence of Holiday within the police Korps on St Maarten, Saba and St. Eustatius led by an interim Chief. Until the appointment of the interim Head, the task of Chief Commissioner of Police is exercised by the Commissioner of Police, current Deputy Commissioner Mr. Richard Panneflek. In his absence, the Commissioner of Police, Ademar Doran, will be in charge.

Panneflek Held Several Meetings with Police Officers

Yesterday was indeed a busy day for acting police chief Richard Panneflek who were in two separate meetings met with members of the police force outlining to them the developments surrounding the removal of Chief Commissioner of Police Derrick Holiday. Yesterday morning the second in command who is now leading the force met with the island chief of police where he received official confirmation about Holidays’ removal. At about 11am the man in charge met with all the Chief Inspectors and later in the day with Inspectors and regular officers.

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