MP Santhoki pleased with approval of policy

“I am happy that Justice and Police Minister Stuart Getrouw has decided to approve of the policy that was implemented at the Police Force Suriname (KPS) before 2010,” said MP Chadrikapersad Santhoki who was the minister of Justice and Police from 2005 until 2010.

MP Santhoki responded to the statements made by Minister Getrouw in a press release from the National Information Institute (NII). In the press release Minister Getrouw stated that “the police force must become the force again that I know from before 2010.” MP Santokhi explained that Minister Getrouw meant to say that a lot went wrong with the policy after 2010. He added that this was caused by the fact that there were too many ministers within a very short period of time. As a result of that the policy could not be continued. Things also went wrong because the government did not execute the previous national safety plan that was already ready. MP Santokhi pointed out that things also went wrong because not enough investments were made in the police force which is why many opportunities were missed locally and internationally. “Justice and Police systematically declined after 2010 and nowadays we can see the result.” The former Justice and Police minister who had 5 years to implement the policy also pointed out that Getrouw can’t get everything done within 2 years. “Getrouw will have to set priorities in order to achieve most goals within the next two years,” said MP Santhoki who added that demoting and promoting people is not enough because the entire police force must be reorganized. “The minister must invest in the management teams of the police force so that the managers can run the force in a professional manner. “Getrouw must make people feel safe again. The people are watching to see how he will achieve this objective.”