PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — On Friday, February 3, representatives from the Gendarmes met with representatives of the Police Force during a work-related visit.
The purpose for this visit was to become familiar with the operation of the 911 Emergency Dispatch Center, and to get acquainted with personnel of that department. In addition, both law enforcement organizations have been busy with many discussions with each other on how to improve the already good cooperation and working relationship in the battle against crime. The articles mentioned in the “Treaty of Concordia” will be the tools used as guidelines to further strengthen the ties in law enforcement.
Gendarmes and the police force have already established direct radio communication between both emergency dispatch centers in addition to the traditional direct phone line. It is the intention to immediately communicate with each other during high impact criminal cases such as armed robberies and in cases involving “hot pursuit” chases on either side of the island.
A communication protocol with guidelines will be put in place to facilitate this process. Also present during this meeting was a representative of the radio communication provider C3 (Critical Communication Caribbean).
In the coming week, representatives from the police force will visit the emergency dispatch on the French Side.
