The president of the police union (SPA), Lito Lacle, launched serious questions regarding the financial management of the Government of Aruba. He questioned why an investment fund (investeringsfonds) is being created while the Police Force (KPA) and the Department of Legislation and Legal Affairs (DWZ) face critical personnel shortages.
A 40-million fund for ministries, but what goes to KPA?
Lacle explained that he understands an investment fund of 40 million florins is available. However, this fund is destined for all ministries in general. In light of this, the union leader questions whether the Police Force is truly a priority for this government: “What are the costs to reorganize the Police Force? We have not received those two answers yet,” Lacle emphasized.
The SPA’s concern grows even greater when analyzing the distribution of these funds. While the resources from the investment fund are generalized across the entire government apparatus, what will KPA’s share actually be at the end of the day?
A Call to the Ministry of Justice and Parliament (Staten)
Lacle addressed a direct, structural question to both the Minister of Justice and the government in general: “What will be set aside for the Police Force? What are the priorities within the Police Force?”. The personnel shortage is evident, and SPA wants to know if there is an actual cut in the 2026 budget, specifically a structural cut in the personnel budget that could reach up to 10%.
The SPA’s criticism is not directed solely at the government, but also at Parliament (Staten), including both the coalition and the opposition. Lacle strongly questioned how it is possible for Parliament to vote on a budget without having the exact figures.
He disclosed that they received a draft summary (samenvatting) of the budget for the Ministry of Justice, but it lacks detailed figures. According to Lacle, this way of working is an old habit that has been happening for many years, where Parliament structurally votes on just a summary. “How is it possible for an MP (Statenlid) to vote blindly? What is the actual budget for the Police Force, for example? They don’t have it,” Lacle concluded, demanding total transparency for the force and for the community.