WILLEMSTAD - Mauricio Sambo, the former Chief of Police of the Curaçao Police Force, has started as portfolio holder for Development and Cooperation of the Caribbean Police Forces.

Sambo was out of work after he decided to resign following the violent rally in Forti and Punda on June 24 this year. Raymond Ellis has since held the position of acting police chief.

Sambo has been appointed as portfolio holder on 1 November on the recommendation of Minister of Justice Quincy Girigorie. According to the Ministry of Justice, Sambo is responsible for the cooperation and development of the police forces of the Caribbean (islands) countries.

Sambo's nomination has been approved by the Dutch Minister of Justice Ferd Grapperhaus in the Judicial Four Countries Consultation (JVO).

According to the ministry, Sambo was formerly chairman of the College of Caribbean Chiefs of Police and laid the foundation for improved cooperation with police forces in the Netherlands. Sambo will further coordinate the agreements made in the JVO.