Holiday’s arrest a blow
for police, says NAPB
WILLEMSTAD--Rumours have circulated since the arrest of former Police Commissioner Marcel Loor on June 19, 2007, about former Police Chief Commissioner of the Windward Islands Derrick Holiday being a suspect in the case. That is why the police union NAPB prefers to wait until the Prosecutor’s Office has completed its investigation before it gives an opinion on Holiday’s arrest.
Holiday was arrested by judicial authorities early Tuesday morning and taken to the Pointe Blanche prison for interrogation.
The union said it had been aware of talks between Dick and Holiday for the latter to assume a position on island level in St. Maarten. It had also been aware of meetings between Holiday and members of the Prosecutor’s Office during which it had been indicated to Holiday that he would be invited to give statements, but that he wasn’t considered a suspect.
NAPB president Elvis “Chicu” Mercelina told The Daily Herald the arrest was a blow for the Police Force. “It’s a hard blow for us too as members of the Police Force, but we have to let the Prosecutor’s Office make use of its authority and see what will come out of the investigation,” Mercelina said.
Holiday’s arrest came days after he was re-assigned by Justice Minister David Dick to assist the Island Territory of St. Maarten in setting up its own judicial entity.
Mercelina said the impression had been created that Holiday had been moved to save face for the Police Force. He believes it is also necessary because the organisation cannot afford to be down in the gutter.
He referred also to the reports “Nu of Nooit” on the bad management of the Netherlands Antilles Police Forces and the WODC report outlining the problems with law enforcement in St. Maarten.
“As a union we feel urgency for changes to take place. However, in Holiday’s case there are two different trajectories. The Prosecutor’s Office has its job to do and the Justice Minister has his political decisions to make.”
Regarding Holiday’s successor as Police Chief Commissioner, Dick stated recently that he had been searching for an interim Chief Commissioner in the Netherlands.
Mercelina pointed out that the Minister had far-eaching authority when it came to the position of head of the Police Force.
“We have the impression he doesn’t want to make Police Deputy Chief Commissioner Richard Panneflek the next head and that he wants to bring in someone from the Netherlands. We will have a meeting with the Minister and we will table the matter of good governance in his decision-taking,” he said.
Mercelina said there was a situation in Bonaire similar to that in St. Maarten. The Netherlands will not extend the contract of Police Chief Commissioner Johan van der Straten and NAPB believes that again a Dutch replacement will be appointed.
“Just when the ‘Nu of Nooit’ report has been published these things are occurring and it seems it’s being done for the Dutch to take over management of our Police Force,” he said.
The union is formulating an answer to the “Nu of Nooit” report that will be sent to government shortly.
