Security / A new commander at the head of the gendarmerie

Lieutenant-colonel of the gendarmerie Maxime Wintzer arrived in the territory at the beginning of August. He succeeds Commander Stephan Basso, who left during the summer.

Lhe lieutenant-colonel Maxime Wintzer took office on August 02. During the next three years, he will command the company of gendarmerie of Saint-Barthélemy and Saint-Martin. A first assignment in Overseas which corresponds "to my rank, my experience and my sensitivity" he explained. "It is an atypical company due to the means at its disposal and the presence of two islands (Saint-Barthélemy and Saint-Martin - Editor's note) ... In terms of command, it is very interesting and the population is very welcoming »Explains Lieutenant-Colonel Maxime Wintzer. “It's a population unique to its island. I like the context. There is a real cultural diversity, frank and cordial relations. People say hello naturally ”notes LCL Maxime Wintzer. A welcome and a context that he wishes to "take advantage of" to "get in touch with the population, listen to them and discuss with them" he believes and in particular to address social issues, such as road crime or cybercrime.

To support him in his duties, two new captains have been assigned to the company. Captains Thierry Vansuypeene and François Deneufgermain who respectively have 30 and 15 years of experience in the gendarmerie. "We are quite complementary" confides LCL Maxime Wintzer.