United approach to law and order needed – President |09 March 2010
He gave details during the En Moman Avek Prezidan programme, which was aired at the
Commenting on the need for this new approach, Mr Michel said the police force will be only one of its components.
Asked whether he is considering bringing in more foreign help to upgrade the force, he said in today’s globalised and modern world, criminals are becoming more and more sophisticated and we always need to be well prepared and well trained so as to stay ahead of them. If there is a need for foreign expertise in certain areas, it will be sought.
As the new approach will involve other arms of the government, Mr Michel said new laws will be proposed to ensure criminal acts are dealt with more severely, reinforcing the need to protect the people and to ensure the judiciary takes the people’s feelings more into account.
He said sentences for offenders need to be reviewed, for example those who are guilty of disturbing public order and peace should be made to do community service.
Mr Michel stressed that in making these comments he is neither interfering nor politicising the work of the judiciary but only echoing how the people feel.
As for the police, he said the force has to continue reviewing its structures and operations so as to be more professional, adding that the government will ensure it has the resources it needs.
However, this in itself is not enough to tackle the problems the police face, he added. The most important thing is training and capacity building to ensure good use of resources, and this is being carried out.
Today the police force has 68 commissioned officers, around 450 non-commissioned officers and 42 officers who work in its administration.
Mr Michel said the force has to be reviewed to see whether there are enough officers
or whether their number needs to be increased.
More training will be needed, he added, which is important so the force can be efficient in maintaining order, peace and stability. This will also help police officers to be more visible, acting as a deterrent to criminals.
Mr Michel stressed that the police force today has some very good officers who carry out their duties with professionalism, but this spirit has to permeate other sections of the force.