GREAT BAY--Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling has acknowledged that St. Maarten’s justice system is facing a structural personnel shortage, with 505 recorded vacancies across the Ministry compared to 591 current personnel, while only 53 vacancies are budgeted to be filled in 2026.
The Minister told Parliament that the shortage has consequences throughout the justice chain and directly affects the safety and security of St. Maarten. She described the situation as serious and said the 53 funded positions represent only a first step toward addressing a significantly larger staffing gap.
Tackling said she is prepared to work with all factions in Parliament on possible solutions and welcomed suggestions that could bring earlier improvements to any part of the justice system.
The shortages affect the St. Maarten Police Force, Customs, the Financial Intelligence Unit, correctional and detention services and other areas of the Ministry.
Police staffing affecting enforcement capacity
The most visible impact is within the St. Maarten Police Force, KPSM, where understaffing reduces capacity for patrols, response to incidents, criminal investigations and proactive enforcement.
The Ministry said this is particularly concerning given the increase in traffic fatalities during the first quarter of 2026 and continuing concerns surrounding gun violence, organized crime and juvenile delinquency.
Nine KPSM vacancies are budgeted to be filled during 2026.
However, Tackling explained that funding positions alone will not solve the police shortage. Recruitment is difficult, training takes time, officers retire or pursue other opportunities, and St. Maarten competes with other Kingdom and regional law enforcement services for a limited pool of qualified applicants.
KPSM’s growth plan requires an annual Basic Police Training, BPO, class of approximately 15 officers. Only seven candidates entered basic police training in 2025 and four in 2026.
To increase personnel more quickly, the Ministry is expanding BAVPOL training and exploring the introduction of “Surveillanten,” described as formal state guards who could conduct patrols, deal with less complicated incidents and call KPSM when situations escalate.
Customs shortfall affects border controls
Customs is also experiencing staffing constraints, which the Minister said limit government’s ability to conduct thorough border controls, detect contraband and illegal firearms, and enforce import regulations.
Six Customs vacancies are funded for 2026, while the Ministry said arrangements were made during the year to accommodate four additional vacancies within the department.
The Ministry is also relying on modernization to improve Customs capacity. Implementation of the ASYCUDA customs management system is expected to provide additional digital capabilities.
A capacity assessment involving EY and Douane NL is also planned, with the exercise expected to produce a maturity assessment and roadmap for developing a Customs service capable of meeting the demands placed on St. Maarten as a high-volume regional transit point.
FIU capacity remains a concern
Only two vacancies are budgeted to be filled at the Financial Intelligence Unit, FIU, during 2026.
The FIU is responsible for receiving, analyzing and disseminating unusual transaction reports in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing.
The Minister noted that the July 2025 Mutual Evaluation Report of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force was generally positive about progress made by St. Maarten, but identified capacity limitations in the country’s financial intelligence infrastructure.
According to the Ministry, those staffing constraints affect the FIU’s ability to process and analyze suspicious transaction reports in a timely manner, conduct proactive financial investigations and meet international cooperation and information-sharing obligations.
Detention services to add personnel
Fourteen vacancies are budgeted for the House of Detention and Miss Lalie Center in 2026.
The Minister said insufficient staffing in correctional and detention services affects the safety of both personnel and detainees, limits rehabilitation and reintegration activities and contributes to conditions that do not meet required standards.
Recruitment is underway for 15 additional correctional officers, with at least another 15 expected to be pursued in 2027.
The existing prison is currently supported by 15 correctional officers from Suriname, with a replacement group expected to arrive in August 2026 while local recruitment, training and management development continue.
These staffing efforts are being undertaken alongside development of the new Point Blanche Prison.
Phase 1 of construction is progressing through 2026 and 2027, while Phase 2 is scheduled across 2027 and 2028. A Prison Transition Team has been established to coordinate staffing, training, equipment and the gradual operational transition to the new facility.
The wider detention reform includes a new operating model, revised policies and procedures, stronger management, improved healthcare and increased emphasis on rehabilitation and reintegration.
Ministry says shortage affects entire justice chain
Tackling stressed that the personnel problem cannot be viewed department by department because the justice system operates as an interconnected chain.
A staffing weakness in policing, financial intelligence, corrections or another component can reduce the effectiveness of the wider justice system. The Minister said personnel shortages also complicate St. Maarten’s ability to carry out reforms required under the Country Package and respond to recommendations from oversight bodies.
The 53 vacancies included in Budget 2026 will not come close to eliminating the 505-position gap, a reality acknowledged by the Ministry.
Tackling said further progress will depend partly on the financial space available within government’s multi-year framework. The Ministry intends to continue discussions with the Ministry of Finance while exploring ways to improve recruitment and identify additional funding that could accelerate staffing across the justice system.
The Minister said Parliament will be kept informed as those efforts advance.
