PHILIPSBURG--Thirty police officers who had protested delayed promotions during Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba's first visit last year were granted federal decrees recently making them sergeants.
Their superiors reminded them to live up to their new responsibilities.
Minister Jacoba ceremonially promoted about half of those officers Thursday, helping to pin their four-striped shoulder pads and handing over the decrees. Other officers were said to be on vacation.
The minister jokingly referred to two days of planned action from Monday, August 24, 2009, by these officers and their NAPB union as "a gift." Exactly 11 months and five days later, and alongside Police Chief Commissioner Peter de Witte, Minister Jacoba said, "I'm glad you all are getting [these promotions]."
Police Commissioner Carl John warned the officers that he expected them to work harder with this new rank.
Major Ethelwoldis Josepha, who fought for the promotions as a union member and, as an officer, stood alongside his colleagues for the new rank, told them to remain dedicated officers and continue to work for the island's good. "This has been a struggle," he said. "This is not a free ride."
Chief Inspector Carlyle Rogers appealed to the officers' sense of duty, urging them to continue working for the island. "We can only get better," he said. "St. Maarten needs us."
