(de Ware Tijd) PARAMARIBO ─ The top of the Suriname police force has prioritized boosting its image. Complaints against police performance are still way too many. Commissioner Agnes Daniel, head of the Judicial Department tells de Ware Tijd the police leadership wants to improve the perception stated in the recently issued UN report. The police top is currently studying the content and recommendations in the UN report regarding public safety in seven Caricom countries. Daniel says that the report does not pose a threat, but should rather be considered a chance to improve performance, which the police intends to do as soon as the report has been examined thoroughly. The report, issued early this year, describes the Surinamese police as the region’s rudest. Police officers scored poorly in communicating respectably with citizens. The majority of respondents blamed the police for lack of impartiality in disputes. Daniel neither denies nor confirms this conclusion, arguing that she has not read the report through yet and that she does not know what survey method has been applied. Last Friday, Daniel was chief of police Humphrey Tjin Liep Shie’s representative at the promotion ceremony for some 300 police officers in the police academy. She reminded the promoted officers of their responsibilities. Union chair Robby Ramdjiawan, in his speech, said the UN report overshadowed the happy day. Chief of police Tjin Liep Shie was absent due to leave, while Justice Minister Misiedjan was excused for being detained somewhere else. Prosecutor general Subhas Punwasi took the oath of the officers.-.
