WILLEMSTAD - The Curaçao Police Force intends to provide better firearms training for its officers and also seeks to modify the firearms instruction. The catalyst for these actions was the recent conviction of a police officer for shooting a thief in the knee.
The goal is to provide more comprehensive training to officers regarding their official instructions and to ensure their vigilance in the proper use of service weapons. These measures are being implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future, considering recent events and the criticism of the lack of regular firearms training.
Consultation
The police state that they are in consultation with the Public Prosecutor's Office and the National Detectives to achieve better coordination and alignment in procedures. The Public Prosecutor's Office has committed to providing information sessions on the correct application of firearms instruction.
In addition to striving for improved training and procedures, the police leadership has also held discussions with the Minister of Justice, Shalten Hato, regarding legal assistance for colleagues.
The police have expressed their intention to make the procedure in this regard better known within the force. This intention is, incidentally, part of the firearms instruction but is reportedly greatly neglected, according to sources within the police.
The Council for Law Enforcement has also previously voiced strong criticism of the shooting proficiency of police officers. Some officers have not attended the required IBT (Individual Basic Training) courses for years and, therefore, should not be authorized to carry firearms.
Mutual Regulation
The basis for the police officer's official instructions is contained in a mutual regulation among the five islands of Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba. Based on this, each country is obligated to establish separate additional rules for the use of firearms.
Previous attempts by Curacao.nu to gain access to the additional rules have been unsuccessful. Both the Public Prosecutor's Office and the police are keeping their cards close to their chest. This was evident, among other instances, in a shooting incident on Bramendiweg in 2018, where a fleeing burglar was shot three times in the back and died.
Sanctions
The police have now expressed their intention and made a request to the minister to reconsider the sanctions for violations of the official instructions.
Despite the need for changes, the police emphasize that members of the force must be aware of their unique position as wielders of the monopoly on the use of force. Their actions are critically examined and evaluated by various authorities, "but this should not discourage them from performing their duties assertively."