Prosecutors warn staffing shortage is straining investigations and public trust

ORANJESTAD, Aruba — Aruba’s Public Prosecution Service has voiced growing concern over a severe shortage of detectives within the Aruba Police Force, warning that the staffing crisis is placing increasing pressure on criminal investigations and eroding public confidence in the justice system.

In a statement responding to recent media reports, prosecutors said the public should be fully informed about the scope of the problem and its consequences for law enforcement and the administration of justice.

The Public Prosecution Service is responsible for directing criminal investigations and prosecuting offenses. Officials said that mission depends heavily on having an adequate number of detectives available to conduct investigations in a timely and professional manner.

According to prosecutors, concerns about the shortage were formally brought to the attention of Aruba’s minister of justice several months ago. In a letter sent to the ministry, the Public Prosecution Service warned that the lack of investigative personnel had reached a point where a substantial number of criminal complaints could no longer be handled within a reasonable period.

Officials said the growing backlog has made it increasingly difficult to provide satisfactory explanations to citizens whose cases remain unresolved, a situation they fear could undermine confidence in both government institutions and the justice system.

The prosecution service attributed the problem to years of insufficient structural investment by successive governments. It said funding levels have failed to keep pace with officially approved staffing plans for key institutions, including the Aruba Police Force, the Public Prosecution Service and the Aruba Correctional Institution.

Those staffing plans are designed to determine how many employees are needed to meet each agency’s legal obligations. In the case of the police force, prosecutors said the approved formation clearly indicates the need for a significant increase in the number of detectives.

The Public Prosecution Service also noted that judicial institutions do not control their own personnel budgets and are therefore entirely dependent on government funding decisions. Without adequate financial resources, officials said, it becomes impossible to fulfill all of the responsibilities required by law.

Adding to the strain, the prosecution service pointed to a 10 percent budget reduction imposed across the judicial chain in March 2025. According to prosecutors, the cuts further weakened a system that was already struggling with shortages of personnel and resources.

The warning comes amid broader concerns about the capacity of Aruba’s justice system to keep pace with growing demands for criminal investigations, public safety and timely case handling.