Reply: In regard to part (a) of the question, I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that as at 06 November 2025, there was a total of 13,196 Police Officers in different ranks in the Mauritius Police Force, including 398 temporary Police Constables. The details on the number of Police Officers in each rank are being placed in the Library of the National Assembly. With regard to part (b) of the question, I am informed that, presently, 1,235 funded posts are vacant in different grades. However, the Mauritius Police Force is ensuring public safety and security with the existing workforce and available resources through the following measures to support the Police in the frontline –

139 (a) review of the shift system and restructuring of specialised units, such as the Emergency Response Service and the Divisional Support Unit; (b) reinforcing station personnel, as and when required, by officers carrying out back- office duties; (c) deployment on a daily basis of elements of the Special Mobile Force, Special Support Unit, and the National Coast Guard to support other divisions, and (d) reorganisation of duties at police station level. I am informed that Cadet Officers are enlisted in a trainee capacity as and when required, to be posted in specialised Branches or Divisions. Upon successful completion of their training period, they are appointed Deputy Assistant Superintendent of Police in a temporary capacity. On 25 August 2025, the Police has made recommendation to the Disciplinary Forces Service Commission for the enlistment of two Cadet Officers, one for the Flying Branch of the Police Helicopter Squadron and one for the Flying Branch of the National Coast Guard. The House may wish to note that the Mauritius Police Force is facing difficulties to attract new recruits satisfying the selection criteria for the post of Police Constables. For the last selection exercise carried out by the Disciplined Forces Service Commission around May 2025, for the recruitment of 1,200 Police Constables and Woman Police Constables, only 412 were offered enlistment as a large number of candidates had, at the initial stage, been eliminated for not satisfying the different criteria for selection. Subsequently, after completion of the process, on 03 November 2025, only 398 successful candidates had reported for training at the Police Training School. In spite of interest shown by members of the public, it had been observed that around 900 candidates either did not possess the required minimum educational qualifications or had failed the Height Test or Physical Aptitude Test. After consultation with the Disciplined Forces Service Commission, a committee has been set up to look into ways and means to attract a greater number of potential candidates to join the Police Force and to retain them. OLD GRAND PORT – CIVIL STATUS OFFICE – REOPENING

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