A few rotten apples

It takes just one rotten apple to spoil the whole barrel. That is the image one gets when one looks at the infamous video clip circulating on social media wherein police officers can be seen beating a suspected looter. The use of excessive violence can not be condoned no matter the good work being done by the police force in quickly capturing looters after the looting and plundering they committed during the passing of hurricane Irma.

Let’s call a spade a spade, this was just plain police brutality. No form of proportionality nor subsidiarity can be seen in their efforts to subdue this alleged looter. This begs the question about the training these police officers receive and the state of their mental well-being. It is to be expected that dealing with the aftermath of storm-ravaged St. Maarten can be very stressful. The physical and emotional toll this took on police officers who have been tirelessly working day and night to restore peace and order to the island could have become unbearable for some and needed an outlet for this pent up tension and resulting aggression. However, it is important that the good police and detective work, with support from colleagues from Aruba, Curacao and The Netherland, not be marred by a few rotten apples.

For the sake of peace of mind in the community, we sincerely hope that this case is dealt with expeditiously and in a transparent manner by the police management under the so far excellent leadership of Carl John and by the Public Prosecutor’s Office and that this case not be swept under the proverbial mat. The community expects the police to serve and protect, not to beat and brutalize.