Aruba police staffing is approximately 80 officers below its 2017 level, Justice Minister Arthur Dowers said in a statement reported by DIARIO on October 21.
Minister links pressure to recruitment gaps
Dowers attributed the shortage to discontinuity in recruitment and training over previous years. The comparison and his explanation are the minister’s claims; DIARIO’s account does not provide an independently audited staffing table.
He said fewer available officers must cover more shifts and extensive overtime, limiting opportunities to rest. He thanked personnel for continuing their duties but argued that the organization cannot rely indefinitely on extra hours and personal sacrifice.
Training and legal proposals outlined
The minister said new police-training classes were underway and that investment was being made in the police school. His statement did not give a completion date or the number of officers expected to graduate.
Dowers also said he intended to bring a previously prepared bill to Parliament concerning preventive intervention and public-order protection within a framework respecting fundamental rights. The report did not establish that this proposal had been introduced or approved.
Source: Read the original report.
