WILLEMSTAD – This week, a 53-year-old police officer, known as Officer C., is due to appear in court in connection with allegations of excessive force. The officer is accused of using excessive force on October 22, 2021, including possibly striking a minor with a baton or using a car door to assault the minor.
Police officers are increasingly appearing in court due to allegations of excessive force. The officer in question is accused of striking and pushing a minor, allegedly using the baton on the minor's legs. He is also alleged to have pushed the youth so hard against the police car that the minor's head or back hit the door. Furthermore, Officer C. is accused of throwing the car door of the police vehicle against the victim's leg, causing pain and injury.
The case, which occurred two years ago, is only now being heard, but it has been noted that multiple officers have appeared in court to have their actions during duty assessed.
Other Cases
Just a week ago, another police officer appeared in court for using his service weapon, but the case was provisionally handled as his attorney requested further investigation and the examination of witnesses, including fellow officers.
The officer in question stated that he had used a firearm by shooting the legs of a suspect twice during a confrontation with an individual in possession of a stolen vehicle.
However, more serious cases suggest that individual officers may be acting beyond established rules. For instance, in 2018, a fleeing burglar was shot in the back because he allegedly had a weapon in his shoulder bag. The police and the Public Prosecutor's Office provide contradictory statements about warning shots and the identification of the officer, but the Public Prosecutor's Office does not wish to pursue charges if the family does not dare to file a complaint against the officer.
Integrity
The Council for Law Enforcement noted in 2022 that the Curaçao police force fails to uphold its integrity. There are shortcomings in training and preventative measures, as well as a lack of effectiveness in current codes of conduct.
The police force needs to make integrity a core component of its personnel policy, including performance evaluations and training. However, such discussions are not taking place, and there is no assessment system or adequate training. While steps are being taken to improve this, there is a lack of policy for implementing codes of conduct and sanctions.