the Mauritius Police Force, he will, for the benefit of the House, obtain from the Commissioner of Police, i…
(No. B/357) Mr F. Quirin (Third Member for Beau Bassin & Petite Rivière) 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 Mauritius Police Force, he will, for the benefit of the House, obtain from the Commissioner of Police, information as to the – (a) number of Police Officers recruited since 2019 to date on a yearly basis, per batch, indicating the number of officers who have – (i) successfully completed the training programme, and (ii) left the Police force and the reasons thereof, and (b) starting basic salary of new recruits.
Madam Speaker, as regards parts (a)(i) and (ii) of the question, I am tabling the information requested by the hon. member. However, I wish to highlight that from 2019 to 2024, out of a total of 2,511 recruits, 159 have resigned for various reasons. With regard to part (b) of the question, the starting salary for Temporary Police Constables/Woman Police Constables is Rs18,650 monthly. After completion of the Recruit Foundation Course, which varies from six to nine months, they are also paid a salary compensation of Rs4,010 which then brings their gross salary to Rs22,660.
Yes!
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Merci, Madame la présidente. Le Premier ministre peut-il informer la Chambre quels sont les critères de recrutement pour la force policière qui sont actuellement en cours ?
This is the same criteria laid down by the Discipline Forces Service Commission, Madam Speaker. I believe, when I was Prime Minister, I myself asked for it to be changed to lower the entry requirements.
Okay.
Madame la présidente, le Premier ministre peut-il nous dire comment est calculé le nombre de policiers qui doivent être recrutés chaque année, et combien de policiers doit-on avoir dans chaque poste de police – si jamais il a les informations, bien sûr ?
Difficult to say that. In fact, it is like asking how long is a piece of string; we cannot just say that. I do not know. Apparently, they recruit when there is actually the need for recruitment. This is what we are told.
Yes?
Merci, Madame la présidente. Le Premier ministre vient de nous dire effectivement qu’il compte revoir les critères de recrutement dans la mesure du possible…
(Interruptions)
Non ? Ce n’est pas cela qu’il a dit ? Mais, moi, ma question est la suivante, Madame la présidente. Ne pense-t-il pas que la qualification académique minimum pour la force policière – et je vais dire pourquoi – devrait être le School Certificate, mais aussi privilégier le physique, parce que, de nos jours, quand nous sommes sur le terrain, le constat qu’on fait malheureusement, ce sont des policiers qui n’ont pas le physique de l’emploi ? Le Premier ministre peut-il nous dire s’il compte revoir ces critères et favoriser les recrues qui ont un physique à faire douter les voyous ?
(Interruptions)
Thank you. I believe that is what I said…
(Interruptions)
I believe that I myself…
(Interruptions)
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Next time!
Very interesting!
Next life!
(Interruptions)
I believe I myself, when I was Prime Minister, asked – and it was done – that we reduce the entry requirements to a lower level. And as for the physical, I have already mentioned that, but I think I must agree; there are certain cases…
It exists…
…where we see…
It exists already!
It exists…
Of course!
… I think, as far as I know, because I asked for it to be reduced. I think it has been reduced because I remember Père Grégoire came to see me to thank me for that because he felt that certain communities were being discriminated, but, as you say, I agree with you that the physique of the person is very important. I believe it is being taken care of. What happens probably is that they grow fat afterwards.
(Interruptions)
Elle est bonne celle-là !
But they go for training. They do training every day from what I know! Yes, where are we now? Hon. Third Member for Port Louis North and Montagne Longue, Mr Caserne! MAURITIAN PASSPORT – BIOMETRIC FORMAT – CONVERSION