Eduard Pieters: “Government received the instruction, but chose to ignore it and not act”
The recent walkout by members of the Detective Department (Recherche) and the police union sends an alarming signal that cannot be ignored. For PPA faction leader Eduard Pieters, the current situation within the police force did not arise overnight. According to Pieters, the Parliament of Aruba warned the government more than a year ago and gave clear instructions to take action.
“We deeply regret the painful situation that currently reigns within the police force,” Pieters declared. “But the question the people must ask is: how did we get here?”
Parliament spoke, government did not act!
Pieters recalled that in March 2025, the Parliament of Aruba unanimously approved a motion for the government to take concrete action to strengthen the police force. Among the measures were the implementation of bodycams and dashcams, legislative changes to allow the use of these tools, and the improvement of working conditions for police officers.
“One year later, we ask: where are the bodycams? Where are the dashcams?” Pieters questioned. “Parliament gave a unanimous instruction. It was not a matter of political parties. Every member of parliament stood behind this following the tragic and deplorable incident involving the youth Lanoy.”
PPA proposed investment in security
According to Pieters, PPA did not only criticize the government but also presented concrete solution options during the budget debates. The PPA faction proposed an amendment to generate more revenue for Aruba through a pardon regulation (pardonregeling) to regularize undocumented persons. According to the calculations presented at the time, the measure could have generated approximately Awg 22.7 million. Out of this amount, PPA proposed to allocate:
Awg 6.5 million for necessary additional personnel;
Awg 7.5 million for equipment and materials.
“With this amendment, money could have been put on the table for tasers, bodycams, dashcams, bulletproof vests, and other equipment that the police force has been requesting for a long time,” Pieters explained.
Coalition voted against
According to the MP, despite the evident needs within the police force, PPA’s amendment did not receive backing from the parties supporting the coalition.
“Now we see the consequences,” Pieters stated. “We do not blame the police, we do not blame the members of the Detective Department, nor the KPA management, nor SPA (the police union). I condemn the political decisions made—and not made—to pass up the opportunity to invest in security.”
Aruba cannot keep reacting after a disaster
Pieters warned that the government cannot keep waiting for a new tragedy to happen before taking action. “God forbid anything happens, but we cannot continue to govern Aruba by waiting for another serious incident before rushing to find bodycams, dashcams, materials, and human resources for KPA. The government must act proactively, not after a problem explodes.”
The PPA faction announced that it will continue to monitor the situation closely and is willing to meet with the union and police high command to find structural solutions.
“We are not looking for trouble. We are looking to prevent trouble. That is why we presented these proposals a year ago.”