The Police Force of Sint Maarten launches their 𝐊𝐏𝐒𝐌 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞, geared towards guiding trouble youth on the island, with the help of the community.

The Police Force of Sint Maarten would like to elaborate the following:

𝐊𝐏𝐒𝐌 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞

In our recent introduction of the new KPSM Youth Wing, we shared only a brief overview of this  initiative. The public responded with questions and concerns, and we appreciate the feedback. Now that we have your attention, KPSM would like to clearly outline the purpose, spirit, and goals of this project.

𝐀 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐖𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐈𝐠𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐞

It is no secret that both the Dutch and French sides of our island are facing growing social challenges. These issues—ranging from lack of guidance, school dropout, family struggles, to community pressures—have a direct influence on our young people. Every day, KPSM encounters youths who are on the verge of making life-changing decisions.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐠

The Youth Wing is not a policing program.

It is not about enforcement, surveillance, or criminalization.

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐚:

Use KPSM’s large network of community connections to link troubled or at-risk youth with the right social partners who can help them.

KPSM officers—especially our Community Police Officers (CPOs) and School Resource Officers (SROs)—are often the first to see when a young person is struggling. Our role is not to replace social workers or counselors. Instead, we want to ensure that youths are directed to the right people and organizations who are trained to guide them.

𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐬

We thank the public for sharing their concerns over the uncertainty from our initial launch, the feedback is greatly appreciated.

𝐖𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫:

This initiative is 𝘣𝘪𝘨𝘨𝘦𝘳 than any one individual.

The Youth Wing is not about a single officer or personality.

It is about giving the youth of Sint Maarten a real pathway to make better choices—a mission that is greater than any personal opinions or criticisms.

Giving Youth a Chance Before It’s Too Late

We strongly believe in prevention.

Many youths who end up in the criminal circuit often say, “If someone had reached out earlier, things could have been different.”

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐬 𝐭𝐨:

- Identify youths who may be heading down the wrong path

- Connect them with social services, youth groups, churches, sports clubs, and counselors

- Offer them positive alternatives and support systems

- Help families find the help they need

- Build trust between young people and the police

- Prevent crime before it happens

𝐊𝐏𝐒𝐌’𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲

We know that as the police, we are the last line of defense when things go wrong.

But with this initiative, we are taking an extra step to prevent our young people from reaching that point.

We want our youth to have better choices, stronger support, and real chances to succeed. Protecting the island also means investing in the next generation.

KPSM remains committed to transparency, community involvement, and partnership.

As this pilot continues, we will:

– Share updates

– Work alongside community organizations

– Listen to public feedback

– Adjust and strengthen the program where needed

The Youth Wing is not 𝘖𝘕𝘓𝘠 a 𝐊𝐏𝐒𝐌 effort, it is a 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 effort! We welcome everyone—parent groups, NGOs, churches, sports leaders, mentors—to join us in guiding our youth toward a safer and brighter future.