(de Ware Tijd) PARAMARIBO – “Do your job the way we know you can and you will get the government’s support,” President Desi Bouterse promised Humphrey Tjin Liep Shie, who was installed as the new police chief on Friday. “We are proud of this police force and of its chief,” said the President, who believes that “building the trust of society in the police force and its command” ought to be a priority.
Tjin Liep Shie stated that when fighting crime, he will focus on “socio-prevention,” and that is why he supports the plans of the government to tackle housing, unemployment and education. This would be a big contribution to fighting crime. The Police Training Center will undergo a complete transformation. A new building on the premises will have four floors, while twelve new classrooms, a conference room, a shooting range, a sports hall and an office building will be added as well. Police training is to be improved too. The new police chief wants to make significant progress with the police force. “We will be enterprising, innovative, upright and transparent. The bar will be set high and there will be no more room for sub-par performance,” Tjin Liep Shie said.
Minister Edward Belfort of Justice and Police wants to remove unnecessary tasks from the police force as much as possible, so it can fully concentrate on “preserving public order, peace and security.” The Minister already notes an increase in security and of the feeling of safety among citizens, yet he is still not satisfied. Belfort wants to pay more attention to traffic safety, cross-border crime, trafficking in humans and domestic violence. Tjie Liep Shie was acting police chief for nearly fifteen months after former chief Delano Braam was sacked. He has 31 years of experience on the police force and is the 47th chief.
