“Become exemplary police officers and choose the right path!” These were the words of the Prime Minister to 647 constables-in-training and bikers at a Passing Out Parade at the Gymkhana, Vacoas, this Wednesday morning.
Pravind Jugnauth praised the “courage of the police force”. Through the Bike Patrol, a new strategy has been developed to ensure a police presence in every corner of the country, ensuring interaction with the public and going especially to places that are sometimes difficult to access,” said the Prime Minister. He stressed that “this measure demonstrates our commitment to maintaining order and peace”.
Pravind Jugnauth pointed out that in the last Budget, 11 billion rupees were allocated to the police force. Since 2019, 1,359 police officers have been recruited, he said. He announced the construction and renovation of several police stations across the country.
Prime Minister Jugnauth reiterated Government’s engagement to continually upgrade the MPF. Government has invested massively in equipping the MPF with necessary infrastructure and resources so that it can efficiently accomplish its mission, he pointed out.
The Prime Minister further indicated that the budget allocation for the police department is constantly on the rise since the last few years. A sum of Rs 11 billion was allocated in last budget and an additional of Rs 10 million has been disbursed to finance the bike patrol unit and upgrade police stations, he stated.
He mentioned that in view to create the best working conditions, new police stations have been built across the island as well as in Rodrigues and that renovation works are being carried out in several stations.
Underlying the difficulties faced by the police force amid new challenges, the Prime Minister affirmed, that Government will continue to provide the MPF with additional resources for effective service delivery. Since 2019, some 1359 police officers and 26 cadet officers have been recruited to meet the growing needs of the MPF, he recalled. He underpinned that the recruitment of the current batch is in line with Government’s quest to sustain the status of Mauritius as a peaceful heaven for the citizens and the visitors.
He also pointed out that the present cohort includes 105 female officers which bears testimony to the continued endeavours of Government to ensure gender balance and equality across the public sector. He applauded all the female police officers of the MPF for embarking on this noble profession and serve the country and the citizens diligently.
Speaking on the bike patrol unit, Mr Jugnauth highlighted that it is geared towards enhancing service delivery and conjures with the concept of ‘police de proximité’ to ensure community safety in the remotest place. He emphasied the need for police to create and maintain high level of public confidence and trust for active public participation in policing. Some 165 bicycles will be deployed in Mauritius and Rodrigues, he indicated.
Mr Jugnauth noted that police bikers have been present for some time in the country and indicated that the new strategy is a more elaborate one which has been designed to complement existing strategies and emerging challenges for prompt response. The new unit will strive to build strong links between the police and the community and pave the way for more collaboration in the fight against crimes, he said.
The Prime Minister concluded by congratulating the MPF for showing courage, determination, and resilience in their works and all the initiatives they have undertaken to achieve a trusted police force in the country.
