WILLEMSTAD – The Ministry of Justice has launched a large-scale new recruitment campaign aimed at attracting more young people to careers in the police force, fire department, and prison system.
During a press conference on Wednesday, the ministry presented its new campaign under the slogan “Mi motibu pa sirbi mi pais” (“My reason to serve my country”), emphasizing motivation, character, discipline, and social commitment as key qualities for future recruits.
The campaign presents the different services as part of one unified security chain, with one of its central messages being: “Nos ta un Ministerio di Hustisia” (“We are one Ministry of Justice”).
According to the presentation, the Curaçao Police Force is looking to recruit at least 15 new officers. The fire department is also seeking around 15 new recruits, while the Sentro di Detenshon i Korekshon Kòrsou (SDKK) currently has approximately 40 vacancies.
Minister of Justice Shalten Hato said the new personnel are urgently needed due to staff shortages and an aging workforce within the organizations.
The ministry stressed that it is “not looking for perfection,” but rather for people with character, discipline, and the desire to serve the country. The message reinforces earlier statements made by acting police chief Elbert Sambo, who previously said that the requirements to become a police officer have not been lowered, although the selection process is being applied more flexibly.
The formal admission requirements remain largely unchanged. For police recruits, these include a minimum age of 17, Dutch nationality, a VSBO-TKL diploma, a certificate of good conduct, medical fitness, and minimum height requirements of 1.70 meters for men and 1.68 meters for women.
Applicants must also complete various physical, psychological, and language tests before being accepted.
At the same time, the Ministry of Justice is clearly attempting to modernize the image of the security services to make them more attractive to younger generations. The presentation highlighted career opportunities in forensic investigation, technology, intelligence, and specialized units.
The ministry also referred to “modern” and “visible” career opportunities within the broader justice and security chain.
For the fire department, the ministry announced that a reorganization and modernization process is underway. Plans include strengthening staffing levels and introducing a new work schedule based on 24-hour shifts followed by 48 hours off.