Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs with the officer.
AIRPORT--Officer Altenor has returned to St. Maarten after completing specialised document examination training in the Netherlands. Minister of Finance Marinka Gumbs highlighted the importance of investing in public servants to strengthen Government services.
Altenor completed the Document Examination, Doc-2 training programme conducted by the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee's Training, Education and Knowledge Centre (OTCKMar) from October 8 to 23, 2026.
The training equips her with the skills to conduct second-line examinations of travel, identity and residence documents, assess their authenticity and security features, and identify potential document fraud. This expertise supports effective border controls, strengthens immigration enforcement and contributes to St. Maarten's safety and security.
Gumbs expressed pride in Altenor's achievement and said public servants who take the initiative to strengthen their knowledge and professional skills deserve recognition. “I am very happy to welcome Officer Altenor home and congratulate her on this achievement. It is always a proud moment when one of our own returns with new knowledge and experience that can benefit both her colleagues and our country. I hope she takes great pride in what she has accomplished. She deserves to be recognised for her dedication and commitment to continued growth.”
The Minister also recognised the pride Altenor's colleagues share in welcoming her home, saying their reception reflects the value of teamwork and encouragement when a fellow officer achieves an important professional milestone.
Her newly acquired expertise is expected to benefit her duties and contribute to the collective knowledge and capacity of the teams serving St. Maarten. “As Minister of Finance, I believe that investing in our people is one of the most valuable investments we can make. When our public servants are given opportunities to learn and develop, they
bring that knowledge back to their workplaces, strengthen their teams, and help improve the services we provide to our community. Officer Altenor’s achievement is a wonderful example of that.”
Gumbs also expressed appreciation for training opportunities made possible through cooperation with institutions in the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
She highlighted the importance of continued knowledge-sharing and specialised training in strengthening St. Maarten's public services.
In a personal message to Altenor, the Minister encouraged her to take pride in her accomplishment and put her newly acquired knowledge into practice.
“Officer Altenor, welcome home! I hope you return with a strong sense of pride in what you have achieved. May the knowledge and experience you have gained serve you well in your duties and inspire you to continue growing professionally. Thank you for your dedication and service to St. Maarten. I wish you every success as you put your new skills into practice.”
Gumbs congratulated Altenor on the milestone and wished her continued success in her professional journey.
