KPCN Police Trainees

Mavo/MBO3/HAVO3+ | 36 hours | Vacancy number P&O2025_05_003 | Closing date: 3 June 2025

KPCN is looking for decisive and reliable colleagues who want to join the police officer training. During the training, learning and working are alternated. After obtaining your diploma, you are posted on one of the islands of the Caribbean Netherlands.

The training: your first step as a police professional

As a police trainee, you start the Basic Police Training (BPT) in January 2026. This is a two-year vocational training at level 4 of Senior Secondary Vocational Education (MBO) aimed at a position in Emergency Response with the Dutch Caribbean Police Force (KPCN).

The training combines theory and practice. The theory lessons take place in Curaçao (with in-house residence) and on Bonaire under the supervision of teachers from the Police Academy and practical coaches from the force. You gain practical experience within the working area of KPCN, mainly on Bonaire.

During the training, you not only develop your professional knowledge, but also the skills needed to act effectively in stressful and unpredictable situations. You learn to deal with resistance, you train physically and mentally, you study legislation and regulations, and you learn how to use your powers responsibly on the street. You practice how to act in complex situations and you continuously work on your personal and professional growth. This is how you build your resilience and self-confidence step by step.

After the successful completion of the training, you are posted in basic police work of the KPCN. You start working day, evening, and night shifts and you rotate on the frontline of Emergency Response for a minimum of three years. In this role, you deal with a variety of reports and you never know in advance how a shift will go. Together with your colleagues, you ensure that each incident is handled as professionally as possible.

With this training, you lay a solid foundation for a versatile and meaningful career. You grow into a skilled police employee and into a strong, confident professional who makes a difference in the society of the Caribbean Netherlands.

Your qualities

We are looking for candidates with the following competencies:

• Integrity
• Enterprising
• Decisiveness
• Perseverance
• Role awareness
• Resistance to stress
• Communication skills
• Team spirit / cooperation
• Flexibility

What do we ask of you?

You can apply for the training place if you meet the following conditions:

• At least General Secondary Vocational Education (MAVO) / Senior Secondary Vocational Education Level 3 (MBO3) / Transition certificate from Higher Secondary Vocational Education class 3 (HAVO) to Higher Secondary Vocational Education class 4 (HAVO)
• Dutch nationality
• Minimum age of 17 at the start of the training
• In possession of driving licence B or willing to obtain this on own initiative within 1.5 years
• In possession of a swimming diploma or willing to obtain this on own initiative within 1.5 years
• Good command of Dutch, Papiamento, and English at, at least, level B1

 The organisation

The Dutch Caribbean Police Force (KPCN) is a dynamic force operating on the islands of Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba. We are the police! We help residents and visitors to our islands, even when things get risky. At the moments that matter, that is when we are there. Then we try to solve what seems to be unsolvable. Sometimes at the risk of our own lives. We are vigilant and service-oriented, decisive and professional. 

What do we offer?

• An appointment in accordance with the Rechtspositiebesluit Ambtenaren BES (BES Civil Servants (Legal Status) Decree);
• The salary for this position is set as follows:
• Training period: salary scale 4, at least grade 3, $1,888 per month in case of a 36-hour working week.
• Holiday allowance (8.33% of the annual income);
• 13th month’s salary (8.33% of the annual income);
• Vitality allowance;
• A pension provision placed with Pensioenfonds Caribisch Nederland (PCN);
• 182 holiday hours in case of a 36-hour working week; A removal scheme for candidates who respond from outside the island.

The salary for this position is set as follows:

• During the training period: salary scale 4, at least grade 3, $1,888 per month in case of a 36-hour working week.
• After completion of the training: salary scale 7, at least grade 3, $2,558 and at most grade 15, $3,289 per month in case of a 36-hour working week.
• The appointment is a temporary employment for the period of the basic training. After successful completion of the basic training, a temporary appointment will be offered for one year, to be followed by a permanent position on satisfactory performance.

Appointment requirements

To be eligible for the training place and an appointment with the Dutch Caribbean Police Force, you must meet the following conditions:

• You are in possession of the Dutch nationality.
• You can submit a positive Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG).
• You undergo a medical examination that is required for admission to the pension fund.

In addition, participation in the complete selection procedure is mandatory. It consists of:

• A screening on reliability and suitability
• A selection interview
• A sports test
• An assessment
• A medical examination

Attention: you can only start the training programme after you have successfully completed all parts of the selection and have submitted a valid VOG within the specified deadline.

Good to know for those interested outside the Caribbean Netherlands

• The salary is in US dollars which is the official currency in the Caribbean Netherlands;
• The Caribbean Netherlands has its own tax regulations. The income exceeding the tax-free sum of $21,373 in 2025 is taxed in the first bracket, up to an income of $51,250, at 30.4%. In the second bracket, a tax rate of 35.4% applies.
• You are or will become a resident of the Caribbean Netherlands.

Information about the vacancy

In the 4th week of May 2025, information about the vacancy is given during the open days on St. Eustatius and Saba. Go to the website: www.rijksdienstcn.com for more information or contact the training coordinators Mr L. Vrutaal or Mr R. Pinedo on telephone number +599 715 8086 during office hours.

Application

You can send your Curriculum Vitae accompanied by a motivation to the Dutch Caribbean Police Force, for the attention of Clark Mercera via vacature@rijksdienstCN.com  (only applications with both a motivation and a full CV attached in Word or PDF are accepted).