GREAT BAY--Member of Parliament Sjamira Roseburg is calling for urgent and coordinated action to address the deteriorating condition of the island's police station in Philipsburg, highlighting serious concerns about safety, public health, and respect for the fundamental rights of officers and citizens.
According to MP Roseburg, the current state of the building has gone far beyond what can be resolved with temporary fixes. The structure is leaking, compromised, and no longer provides a safe or humane environment for the police officers who serve the community or for the members of the public who rely on the facility for assistance and protection.
MP Roseburg is urging all key stakeholders to act jointly and decisively. She underscored that her appeal is made in a spirit of cooperation and collective responsibility.
“I encourage the Minister of Justice, the Prime Minister as Minister of General Affairs, and the NRPB to engage in coordinated dialogue to determine the most effective pathway forward,” she said. “If local capacity is not sufficient, I further encourage them to formally explore and, where appropriate, request assistance under Article 43 of the Charter.”
“Our police officers operate under demanding and stressful conditions every day. Their workplace must protect them, support them in the execution of their duties, and uphold the dignity of the uniform they serve in. When a facility becomes unsafe, unsanitary, and deteriorated, it raises serious concerns about workplace safety, public health, humane working conditions, and the ability to provide effective public service,” MP Roseburg stated. “Ensuring that our officers have a dignified and safe working environment is not only an operational necessity; it is a core part of good governance and respect for fundamental human rights.”
MP Roseburg is advocating for a long-term, structural solution that goes beyond patchwork repairs. She is calling for the development and construction of a new, modern, safe, and fully functional police station that meets international standards and adequately serves both officers and the wider public.
Call for support from NRPB and Kingdom partners
Recognizing the scale and urgency of the project, MP Roseburg highlighted the potential role of the National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB), which is tasked with supporting key infrastructure and reconstruction initiatives.
“Given the condition of the police station, this project clearly falls within the scope of essential public infrastructure,” she said. “My call is not one of criticism, but of encouragement. I strongly encourage the NRPB to assess how it can support, guide, or help facilitate progress toward a new police station, whether through planning support, technical expertise, or access to available funding mechanisms.”
MP Roseburg further noted that while local authorities bear primary responsibility for ensuring safe and effective public institutions, the Charter of the Kingdom of the Netherlands provides an important framework for additional support when needed. Article 43 of the Charter states that each country within the Kingdom is responsible for safeguarding human rights, legal certainty, and good governance, and that the Kingdom has an overarching responsibility to guarantee these principles when a country is unable to fully meet them.
“Seeking support from the Netherlands, whether technical, structural, or logistical, is not a sign of failure,” MP Roseburg emphasized. “It is a responsible and lawful mechanism designed specifically for situations where additional capacity is required to address urgent issues that affect safety and fundamental rights.”
“The condition of the police station is ultimately a matter of human dignity, safety, and public trust. Our officers deserve a facility that reflects the importance of their service, and our community deserves a police force that is supported by safe and functional infrastructure. By working together, both locally and with our Kingdom partners when necessary, we can achieve meaningful and lasting progress. This is a moment for unity, responsibility, and decisive action, so that both our officers and our people can be provided with the dignified and safe environment they deserve.”
https://tribune-site.webflow.io//articles/mp-sjamira-roseburg-calls-for-coordinated-action-to-address-condition-of-police-station
