Police officers learn more on customer service |24 April 2018

The Seychelles Police Force (SPF) has embarked on a new programme on customer service training, which aims to tutor around 200 local police officers.

Its first step towards this endeavour was to host a workshop to train a group of police officers from the Anse Boileau, Anse Royale and Anse Aux Pins districts.

The workshop organised by the Seychelles Police Academy was launched yesterday at the Anse Aux Pins police station, where the officers got the opportunity to enhance their knowledge on customer service.

Seychelles Police Academy lecturer, sergeant Cedrick Esther, ran the workshop and he explained that “the workshop will help the police officers to improve morale and motivation, build trust and solve issues faster, increase productivity and efficiency among other issues”.

He added that the SPF is currently facing some challenges concerning customer service towards the population.

“We are targeting around 200 local police officers to enhance their knowledge on customer service. We want all our police officers to have the appropriate customer service skills to serve the population. Giving good customer service applies to anyone in a service position, including police officers. Pulling a vehicle over to a safe place, immediately identifying yourself by name and showing your badge, specifically stating the reason for the stop, respectfully addressing the citizens, giving advice on how to slowly pull out into moving traffic are all signs of good customer service,” pointed out sergeant Esther.

Sergeant Hazel Mathiot, who is taking part in the workshop, noted that such training will allow her to provide a good customer service and better serve the police force.

“The police have been criticised a lot for not having a good customer service, but as professionals we must be ready to serve the public and act professionally. To provide a good customer service, we must all work together and serve the community in a more professional manner,” sergeant Mathiot said.

She explained that part of good police customer service is acting professionally, paying attention to your appearance, being courteous and respectful, and collaborating with others. These behaviours, she said, on a consistent basis would go far in cementing better relationships between police officers and the citizens they have to protect.

Police officers on Praslin and La Digue will also undergo a similar training on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the Seychelles Police Force is calling on all motivated individuals to join the force and serve the community.

Yesterday’s workshop was also conducted by sub-inspector Nathasha Derjacques and inspector Maxime Figaro.