the Very Important Persons Security Unit officers, he will, for the benefit of the House, obtain from 30 the…
(No. B/469) Mr C. Lukeeram (Third Member for Mahebourg & Plaine Magnien 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 Very Important Persons Security Unit officers, he will, for the benefit of the House, obtain from 30 the Commissioner of Police, information as to the number thereof promoted from January 2015 to November 2024, indicating the criteria used therefor.
Madam Speaker, I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that promotion in the Mauritius Police Force, including the Very Important Persons Security Unit (VIPSU), is governed by Regulations 14 and 19 of the Disciplined Forces Service Commission Regulations 1997. In line with these regulations, Police Standing Order No. 16 provides that promotion within the Police Force is to be carried out as follows – 1) by way of competitive examination by the Disciplined Forces Service Commission; 2) upon successful completion of approved courses; 3) as specialist within a specialised unit, and 4) on a seniority basis. Madam Speaker, I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that, due to the specialised nature of their duties and responsibilities, certain units of the Police Force, such as the VIPSU, Special Mobile Force Engineering Squadron, National Coast Guard, Police Helicopter Squadron, National Security Service, Central Armoury, Police Dog Unit, among others, are categorised as specialised units. Promotion within these units is supposed to be done on the basis of experience, qualifications, merit, and seniority. But this was not the case! We have seen how people who had been promoted by my government – VIPSU personnel – their promotions were removed after so many years. This is unprecedented! Unprecedented! Removed and they were brought back to their original post. Two of them had to go to court and they won their case. Now they are going to be reinstated. As for the numbers, from January 2015 to November 2024, 543 Police Officers posted at the VIPSU have been promoted to higher ranks as follows – (a) 444 Police Officers of different ranks have been promoted as specialists. It is to be highlighted that 225 of them were promoted, believe it or not, in 2024 itself; (b) 11 Police Constables have been promoted to the rank of Police Sergeant after having successfully passed the competitive examination, and (c) 22 Police Corporals and 66 Police Constables, reckoning at least 20 years of service in the Police Force, promoted to the rank of Police Sergeant.
31 But as I have said, Madam Speaker, all this was done as if they chose who will be promoted and who will be degraded. This is how it was done.
Yes. Once more, hon. Second Member for Rivière des Anguilles and Souillac! AIRPORT HOLDINGS LTD – STAFF RECRUITMENT – PERIOD 2023-2024