Response to "Who is watching the rules on gifts to public officials?"

Dear Editor,

This is in response to the letter published on September 20, 2026, which raises questions about my involvement in an initiative to support a police officer.

Firstly, thank you to the writer. Asking who is watching the rules is what citizens should ask of those of us in public service. I hold myself accountable to the standards of the position I occupy, and welcome the scrutiny.

The facts: The businesses involved promised gift vouchers as a gesture of goodwill, but none were ever collected. A notification will be sent to each business requesting that the offer be cancelled with immediate effect. No gift vouchers were handed to the police officer. No government time, telephone, email, office, contact list or other resource was used for this initiative. The concern raised about Article 57 of the LMA therefore does not arise.

My capacity as a citizen. I am a civil servant, but I am also a civilian, a member of this community with the same rights as any other resident. The Constitution of Sint Maarten recognizes the freedom to express one's thoughts and opinions (Article 10), the right of association (Article 12), and the right of assembly (Article 13). Article 16 provides that all persons are to be treated equally in equal circumstances, and the Preamble commits us to the dignity of the individual and the fundamental rights and freedoms of all persons.

Holding a public position does not remove those rights. I believed, and still believe, that a citizen may voice support for another person and take part in a civic initiative in a personal capacity. I acted in that capacity, not on behalf of the Ministry or my department, and I did not intend to use my position to influence anyone.

I also recognize that these freedoms are not unlimited. The Constitution allows them to be regulated by national ordinance, and Article 106 provides that the legal status of civil servants is set by law. The LMA, the Code of Conduct and the rules governing the police remain important, and I respect them.

On accountability: The writer makes a fair point about appearances. A person in my position carries her title into every conversation, and a business owner may not feel entirely free to decline a request from someone in my role. I have reflected on that. Whatever my intentions, perception matters in public service, and I will weigh it more carefully going forward.

Accountability is not a formality to be observed only when questioned; it is a cornerstone of proper governance. Public officials must be prepared to explain their actions, to accept scrutiny as a normal part of public life, and to hold themselves to a standard that safeguards the integrity of the institutions we serve. I take that responsibility seriously, and I welcome any review that helps strengthen it.

I was also not familiar with the specific provision in the police employment regulations on gifts, Article 99, and I am grateful to have it brought to my attention. This also points to a broader need: greater awareness of the Police Regulations, not only among officers but among the businesses and members of the public who engage with the Force, so that these rules are properly understood, consistently enforced, and complied with across the board.

I remain willing to answer any questions from the appropriate authorities, and I would support any initiative to communicate these regulations more widely.

I do not wish this to become a debate about the officer or the incident involved. That belongs to the proper procedures. The Constitution also values openness in government (Article 107), and I believe transparency is the right response here.

Finally, I thank the businesses and members of our community who expressed goodwill and appreciation toward the police officer, and by extension toward the Police Force. The women and men of the Force serve this community, often in difficult circumstances, and that support is worth acknowledging. I also thank The Peoples' Tribune for the opportunity to respond.

Respectfully,

‍‍Peggy-Ann Richardson‍Citizen of Sint Maarten