SXMElections.com

~ Wants Prosecutor's Office to react ~

PHILIPSBURG--President of the police union NAPB Ephewoldus "Joe" Josepha has condemned the photo posted on Facebook showing someone in a vehicle aiming a handgun at a police patrol car.

The union views the photo as a "non-verbal threat" to the police force and its members and Josepha said NAPB will not take this "lightly."

"As president of the NAPB, I totally denounce this aggressive act towards the men and women in blue who faithfully put their lives on the line as they go out each day to serve and protect the general public," he said in a press statement issued Wednesday.

"We are the first line of defence for upholding law and order in this country and so this behaviour by a small group of criminals in our society, to threaten the safety of our police officers is absolutely unacceptable."

He had a direct message for the perpetrators. "We the members of the NAPB are taking this threat very seriously and there will be consequences for this action. Know that because of this threat the police are now on high alert and are not taking any chances with their safety. We will not be intimidated, we will not back down and we will not go away. We have taken an oath to protect and serve St. Maarten and we will not be dissuaded from this mission. The police will not allow the community to suffer or be brought down by fear because of cowardly thugs who are not even brave enough to include their faces in this photo."

Josepha said the police have launched an investigation into this matter. The union is confident that the perpetrators will be found and brought to justice. The union is awaiting a reaction from the Public Prosecutor's Office on this particular situation.

"We HOPE that your office comprehends the magnitude of the matter and realises the additional strain this situation places on our officers. We are professionals, but never lose sight that we are also human beings with families that should also be protected from mindless criminals," Josepha said. "The union is of the opinion that this case should be thoroughly investigated and the consequences should show that this kind of behaviour will never be tolerated in a law abiding society.

"I would also like to express to the public that your local Police Force may not be a perfect one, but our guarantee is that the union members together with the Ministry of Justice are working hard to continuously improve our organisation for country St. Maarten. Know that we are dedicated to our call to duty and will do so to the best of our ability with the small, but hard working group that we have."

He said officers will not allow "a small group of criminals" to divert them from their mission to serve. "It is in this regard that we call upon our law abiding citizens to cooperate with us in ensuring that these people are brought to justice as we work assiduously to carry out our number one priority of keeping St. Maarten...safe."