the Police Force in Rodrigues, he will – (a) state if he has been aware of the shortage of Police Officers p…
(No. B/73) Mr F. François (Second Member for Rodrigues) asked the Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Home Affairs and External Communications, Minister of Finance, Minister for Rodrigues and Outer Islands whether, in regard to the Police Force in Rodrigues, he will – (a) state if he has been aware of the shortage of Police Officers posted thereat, and (b) for the benefit of the House, obtain from the Commissioner of Police, information as to the – (i) number of Rodriguan Police Officers who, after completion of the Police training, have requested their transfer to Rodrigues, and (ii) action being envisaged to address the issue of shortage and, if so, when.
Madam Speaker, with regard to part (a) of the question, I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that there is a shortage of personnel within the Force itself. The shortage of Police Officers is not limited to Rodrigues only, but also across the whole Republic. The number of vacancies for which funds are available is 3,381. The main reasons for the shortage of Police Officers are due to many officers proceeding on retirement on an annual basis, sometimes because of the policy of the previous government; they retired early because they were being victimised. Then, there is also a lack of interest from qualified candidates to join the Force. In the last recruitment exercise, which was held in August of last year, some 1,000 Police Officers were expected to be enlisted, but only 496 eligible candidates were enlisted by the Disciplined Forces Service Commission at that time. Now, out of the 496 candidates, 45 have already resigned from the Force. There are currently 236 Police Officers posted in the six Police Stations in Rodrigues. The Commissioner of Police considers, at the moment, that Rodrigues is adequately staffed,
29 taking into consideration the ratio of Police Officers to the population, which is currently 1 Police Officer to 188 Rodriguans. As regards part (b) of the question, I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that out of 148 Rodriguan Police Officers who are currently posted in Mauritius, 23 have requested that they be transferred to Rodrigues. The requests are being considered by the Commissioner of Police and will happen after the next passing out exercise which will be conducted shortly, and will be based on operational exigencies.
One! Just one!
Thank you, Madam Speaker. I thank the hon. Prime Minister for his answer. Madam Speaker, with regard to the increase in the number of vehicles on our roads in Rodrigues, there is an urgency for the presence of more Police Officers on our roads. Will the hon. Prime Minister see to it with the Commissioner of Police and the Divisional Commander thereat, as a matter of urgency and security, to deploy more Police Officers on our roads despite, as I said, there being a shortage of Police Officers thereat?
C’est le miracle ! Il cherche un miracle !
I cannot order the Commissioner of Police on the operational exigencies; he will decide. But I will pass on your message.
Message will be passed! Okay, now we have hon. First Member for Port Louis North and Montagne Longue! REHABILITATION YOUTH CENTRES – LOW NUMBER ADMISSIONS