Far-reaching work to modernise police force is underway |05 November 2010

This will include building new infrastructure, as well as renovating the old, and getting new equipment the officers need to do their jobs better.

Minister for Home Affairs, Environment and Transport Joel Morgan gave the details after a visit to the Seychelles Police Academy yesterday afternoon.
He was accompanied by police commissioner Ernest Quatre and other high-ranking officers.

New forensic laboratories – financed by the government as well as foreign investment – modern telecommunications equipment that will cut out the need for officers to contact each other on mobile phones during an operation, and a new scheme of service are among other measures being taken to improve the force and encourage recruits to join.

“The commissioner of police, his management team and I have worked on the new scheme of service, which we have already presented to the government, and I hope it will be put in place early next year,” said Mr Morgan.

He explained that the UNODC is helping to bring in the equipment needed to make the force more modern, and it will be here soon.

Seychellois police, together with an officer sent by the UNODC, have planned all the changes to modernise the force.

“We are in the second phase of reviewing this master plan, including everything from human resources management to retraining in-service police officers, so everyone is up to date with the modernisation of the local force,” added Mr Morgan.

During his visit, the minister also had a chance to talk to the cadet constable programme recruits – those who have joined the academy as a post-secondary institution – and the Police Young Leaders.

He said the main aim of his visit was to see how they are all doing on their respective programmes.

“I came along not only to encourage but also to motivate them and make sure they continue to work well. Also to give them this push so that they all succeed, which is what I would like to see,” he added.

Mr Morgan spoke to the recruits to find out what concerns they might have about their training programmes, as well receive feedback from them.

“It is important for me to monitor the progress made so as to ensure that our programmes are on track,” he said.

Mr Morgan said although the police force has an ongoing programme to recruit regular officers, there are not enough qualified people coming forward.

“We need more people with the required characteristics to come forward and join the force,” he said.
Also during his visit to the Pointe Larue academy, Mr Morgan presented a shield to Janet Georges, the silver medallist weightlifter at the recent Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India.

He said the trophy was a sign of appreciation that the sportswoman had made not only her country proud but also the police force.

"The fact that Sergeant Georges won the medal at such a prestigious event shows that police officers are not only here to capture criminals but have a lot to offer the society they live in,” said Mr Quatre.

Sergeant Georges encouraged the young recruits to take up sport while they are on the force, as it will improve their fitness level – which is a must in the profession – but also because they will receive all the support they need to do well in their chosen event.

Meanwhile Michael Pouponneau – a policeman whose house at Anse Aux Pins was recently destroyed by fire – was handed a cheque by colleagues who had raised money to help him buy some personal items.