WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao plans to significantly expand staffing across its police, Customs, prison system and other justice institutions as the government responds to growing demands in border security, financial crime and detention.
The 2027 Budget Memorandum says strengthening the rule of law will require a substantial expansion of operational capacity in critical institutions.
The government specifically identifies the Curaçao Police Force, Customs, National Investigation Department, Public Prosecutor’s Office, Joint Court of Justice, Coast Guard, prison system and Curaçao Security Service as areas requiring additional personnel.
One hundred vacancies in these sectors had already been filled by late 2025 and early 2026. Another 200 full-time positions are planned as part of the expansion.
The government says the additional capacity is necessary to strengthen border controls, combat financial and economic crime and improve and modernize detention.
Recruitment will not be limited to traditional police and security personnel. Curaçao also intends to attract highly qualified specialists, including forensic auditors and compliance analysts.
Those specialists will play an important role in strengthening inspection and enforcement capabilities as Curaçao implements recommendations from the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force.
The recruitment drive forms part of the wider filling of 744 government vacancies reflected in the 2027 budget. XCG 59.8 million has been incorporated into personnel expenditures to account for positions already filled or still scheduled to be filled.
The expansion comes at the same time that hundreds of existing civil servants are reaching retirement age, creating additional pressure on government recruitment.