Police force gets new roster

The new officials at the Surinamese Police Union (SPB) and Justice and Police Minister Jennifer van DijkSilos will reportedly put an end to the ‘murderous’ roster within the police force. The police union calls the current roster a murderous one because police officers have to report for duty every 8 hours. According to the union, such “a roster is unacceptable.” The SPB announced that the new roster will go into effect on October 15. The union made it clear that the current work schedule is in violation of the Convention of the International Labor Organization (ILO) and national legislation. Union officials Raoul Hellings, Sergio Gentle and Mielando Atompai have worked hard to put an end to the strenuous roster. They had presented the new roster to the minister who immediately gave her approval to it. The new roster was supposed to be implemented in September but police officials reportedly needed more time to prepare. According to the police union, police officers are allowed to work extra shifts of their own free will. The union deemed the new roster necessary so that its members could have more time to focus on their social life. The new roster will also be beneficial to the overall health of the union members as it provides flexible working hours. The union officials explained that they noticed that union members suffer various health problems when they reach the retirement age. The union hopes that the new roster will enable the police officers to have a better social life while giving them more time to spend with their families.