Retired police officers hosted to lunch |22 September 2014

Retired police officers were treated to a special lunch yesterday by their colleagues who are still in the force.

The lunch at the Golden Plate Restaurant was part of activities which started last Friday to celebrate police day.

Police commissioner Ernest Quatre, deputy commissioner Vernon Hunter, ESP Antoine Songoire, chairperson for the police day organising committee, and other high-ranking officers were also present.

Although 30 invitations were sent out to former police officers, only 15 of them were present for the lunch.

Speaking to Seychelles Nation, Edward Vangadasamy, better known as Sergeant Appasamy, said: “I feel very honoured to have been invited to this activity. We feel that our services have been very much appreciated. I served the Seychelles police force for 18 years and I retired in 1979. At that time we did not have all the gadgets that the police have nowadays but I feel that with discipline and respect any police force can move forward.”

Addressing the guests, police commissioner Quatre said “it has been a dream of mine to host such an activity for the retired officers before I too become a retiree. I am pleased today that this event is taking place and among the invitees here present there are those who have helped and guided me to be where I am today. I thank you.”

Mr Quatre he hopes the activity will become an annual event.
When he spoke to Seychelles Nation, the police commissioner said despite the heavy rain during the weekend he is pleased with the way the activities went on.
“The officers enjoyed themselves during the sports day yesterday (Saturday) and unfortunately the medals and gifts did not arrive on time and the prize-giving ceremony will now take place this coming week. And we are also going to launch our five-year strategic plan this week,” said Mr Quatre.

Among the activities the police officers took part in is voluntary work at the home of once well-known and popular traffic police officer, sub-inspector Mason Malbrook of Takamaka and Mr Quatre said they are planning to set up a volunteer committee to help ex-officers who are in need.

They also gave blood to the Seychelles Hospital and during the launch of activities to mark police day last Friday the police choir and band performed peace songs.

Police commissioner Quatre took the opportunity to make an appeal to his officers “to continue with the improvement made” adding that “they can only get better in serving and assisting members of the public and in maintaining a high standard as a police officer.”

The activity continued with the ex-officers recounting how they dealt with people who did not abide by the law and even cracked jokes about the good old days.