NCJ Number
236488
Date Published
2011
Length
338 pages
Annotation
This report presents the findings of an empirical study of the state of governance and law enforcement in Aruba, an autonomous country in the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Abstract
The study focuses on the efforts and results in Aruba's changes in law enforcement and governance since the establishment of the Aruba-Netherlands Protocol of 1993, with attention to the interdependence of good governance and effective law enforcement. Overall, the small size of this island restricts the availability of human capital needed for the structuring and operation of an efficient, effective government. The demands on and failures of government are magnified by the high density of the population and the demands this places on law enforcement in addressing the conflicts and crimes that occur on the island. The lack of transparency in government decisionmaking processes and in procedures followed has combined with discretionary government interventions without a balance of power among government institutions that would restrain abuses of power. The current government's reform efforts include the Social Agreement concluded in 2010 and the intended formation of a Good Governance Compliance agency. For a long period, the Aruba Police Force has been evaluated and attempts made to improve its functioning; however, it continues to lack the will and the process for dealing with misconduct by either the police or government officials. Chapters provide a detailed description of the study's methodology and findings. Extensive tables and references