President Michel visits police stations-Steps toward more sound police force |01 September 2006

The Head of State, who was taken around the different units of the three stations by the newly appointed Police Commissioner, Gerard Way-Hive, said he was following on his promise to the people of Seychelles to ensure that there is a more sound police force in the country.

Speaking in an interview, the President said that he has asked Commissioner Way-Hive to do whatever is necessary to stamp out drug trafficking, “even if it means bringing in foreign experts,” in connection with which Commissioner Way-Hive told Nation that efforts will be made to bring in specialised investigators from Ireland.

“I promised the people of Seychelles that we will have a much more efficient police force, and immediately after my inauguration, I appointed a new commissioner in whom I have a lot of confidence, and I believe he will do a good job towards reorganising the force for it to be more professional,” President Michel said, adding that he was pursuing progress towards a reorganisation of the force.

He said that the people of this country need a police force that is professional, honest, sincere and efficient, that can give them the necessary protection.

“My visit today was intended to see with the commissioner what constraints there are, the resources there are and what work he has done since I appointed him and what plans he has towards creating the kind of police force we require,” President Michel said.

He said that he found the commissioner to be on the right track and that a restructuring of the force is expected towards the end of the year to ensure better service to the public by the police.

President Michel said that human resources are the most important asset in ensuring that desired work is carried out, and said that the existing morale is being further developed to reinforce the police.

“We are together looking to see if available resources are being utilised appropriately, and at the need to recruit more personnel,” he said.

At their headquarters, the Head of State visited the different units of the police and the various “nerve centres” of the force.

He said that renovation work being carried out at the Victoria central command is only a start and a lot more will be done.

After inspecting the nearly completed Beau Vallon station, which has cost R1.3 million to refurbish, the President noted that the external aspects of the building have been maintained because of its value as a monument, but expressed satisfaction with the work already done. He said the station will be officially opened soon.

He said that the Beau Vallon station is of great importance in providing security in the North Mahe region to the residents and the tourists who frequent the beaches there.

The Head of State also said that there are sometimes groups of people of undesirable character who would have the tendency to disturb people or lure them towards the use of addictive substances, but noted that as with similar characters elsewhere, including on Praslin and La Digue, they will be dealt with accordingly.