Mauritian Police force – Understaffed and overstretched
It’s high time for the Central command of the Police force to sit down calmly and put their heads together to look at the broader picture affecting their organization. After the tragic death of two Police constables and that, too, on the same day and in the same circumstances; it’s time for the decision- makers of Line Barracks to rethink their entire strategy: Up to now, it has been a tragedy of errors. A near failure! For, indeed, the two unfortunate suicides should not be taken as isolated cases. Definitely, they are the culmination of a long period of sufferings. Let’s not kid ourselves. The causes are only the tip of the iceberg. Any proof? Ask any ten officers you happen to meet on your way. Under the cover of anonymity, nine will confirm the serious disease.
Make no mistake: I fear the worst. Why? The reasons behind the two heartbreaking deaths are just the symptoms affecting the entire force. They were, indeed, the sum total of many many problems gangrening the Police. Drop by drop, the frustration and demoralization jar was dreadfully filled to the brim. The cancer is eating up this vital law enforcement department from top to bottom.
By all accounts, it’s not a healthy and confidence- inspiring force as it should have been. It’s time for the highbrows of the administration to sit down calmly to carry out the much- needed autopsy; do their own mea culpa; immediately bring in corrective measures; inspire confidence in the force; themselves serve as role models of integrity and decency; judge each and every member on his/ her own merits; and most especially free themselves from the clutches of politicians of all sorts.
Believe me, that’s the only solution to avoid any further low morale in the department. And that’s the only remedy to prevent any further tragic deaths.
Very often, in life, a serious blunder on your part — or a disastrous event or still a regrettable incident — is needed to serve as a wake- up call. Nature never leaves a vacuum. The warning is always there before any impending danger.
Unfortunately for the grieving families of the two dead Police officers, the latter are indeed tragic heroes.
In their death, they have opened the eyes of the population and saved many of their colleagues — of course, in case Line Barracks decides to bring in immediate corrective measures.
Notwithstanding, the two sacrificed ones are real champions because the upbringing by their parents led them to offer themselves as the sacrificial lambs. They did not turn their revolvers to shoot and kill those who were at the root of their problems and sufferings. That’s their greatness. Both aggrieved families of St Pierre should be proud.
That said, what are the main problems affecting and infecting the force? Suffice it to say that I count many many officers of all grades among my closest friends. They all confide in me and they know that I would never reveal my source of information or ditch them. All told, content yourself with the few examples I’ll give. And rest assured that I am pretty aware of things that many do not know or cannot be made public.
In a nutshell, I am well- informed of woes and worries gnawing on the Police. Yet another point: There is no hidden agenda. I wish the Police well… Now, gather yourself for our own findings on the constant ebbing morale of the Police. It is grotesquely understaffed. It’s a pity that the Finance minister was crowing about the recruitment of some hundreds of officers. Recruits and full- fledged officers leaving the force every year— before reaching retirement age — are too high — believed to be in the region of some 300. For many years, the Government did not have time to recruit new officers.
Remember the sad Kaya episode which unfolded because the force was understaffed, underprivileged and overstretched. With the fast economic development ( growing number of vehicles on the road; mushroom- like construction works countrywide; rising number of tourists; etc) there is a certain logic that every year, at least 1000 officers should have been recruited. Some people who have a culture of wine, women and song have, indeed, become a ticking bomb to our security. And with a two- tiered economic development, creating more and more poor people; crimes of all sorts are bound to rise with the same speed. Therefore, the number one culprit is the Government House. Let there be no error of judgement.
Worse now: Frustration is rife because of arbitrary and sudden punitive transfers. During the cold war, the gulag for the Soviets was found in Siberia. All the enemies of the regime were sent there for punishment. In Mauritius, the gulag is either Rodrigues or Agalega or the SMF or the SSU or distant and difficult Police stations or still other humiliating transfers. That’s the perception at least. I know of many transfers and downgrading which are dictatorial or political.
Very often, politicians usurp the role of the Police. I am also personally aware of many transfers which were forced upon by cheap political agents. So, once more, the number one wrongdoer is verily the Government House.
Along the same lines, promotions are yet other elements which are souring relations within the force. Some people who are used to wining and dining only, do not have time for such an important exercise. Suspicions and frustration are both reigning supreme. Sometime ago, the wife of a minister was influencing the course. And automatic promotions poison the atmosphere still further. It goes without saying that frustration breeds contempt and inaction.
Still, the most tragic scenario runs like this: I know of a Prime Minister, who when dead drunk like a “ cochon”, swore like a trooper; threatened and insulted Police officers like a ruffian. Even the Police chief was often humiliated. Still, I am aware of some ministers behaving like the savages of the 1700s to ridicule the guardians of the law working under them.
When a high official is insulted, he in turn, insults his juniors.
He steams off and the anger is passed on down from rung to rung of the ladder. All the same, bullying and ragging are other vices which are undermining confidence in the force. I have been a helpless witness many a time. So, it all percolates down through the entire hierarchy. It’s human nature. And then, there are too many officers attached to VIPs and the Intelligence gathering unit. Therefore, once more, the number one evildoer is the political class. Let me stop the buck here.
The list is, indeed, too long.
At the end of the day, the Commissioner of Police should see to it that the force is under his command and nobody else. Our Constitution guarantees his post. He himself should be responsible for the organization, maintenance and administration of the department and nobody else. He shouldn’t allow politicians to operate through other officials working directly under him. The entire country will be behind him if he inspires the much- needed confidence.
We pray.
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Wat about new police recruits?many friends are waiting for response to join the mauritian army.They already waited too long after medical reports and for some its their second application.BUT WHEN??