Madam Speaker, I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that, in 2022, the Police Family Protection Unit and the Brigade Pour la Protection des Mineurs were merged and restructured as the Brigade pour la Protection de la Famille. Madam Speaker, with regard to part (a)(i) of the question, according to the Commissioner of Police, since 01 January 2026 to 17 April 2026, 198 cases have been handled by the Brigade pour la Protection de la Famille of the Northern Division as follows – 1) 132 cases of Domestic Violence of which – (i) 50 were on physical abuses; (ii) 48 on verbal abuses; (iii) 22 on threats of violence. (iv) 6 on psychological abuses; (v) 5 on financial constraints, and (vi) 1 on property damage. 2) 49 cases of Child Abuse of which – (i) 40 were related to sexual offences; (ii) 3 on offences of ill-treatment; (iii) 2 on offences of assaults; (iv) 2 on cohabitation of an adult with a child: (v) 1 on abduction of child, and (vi) 1 on bullying. 3) 17 cases of Elderly Abuse of which – (i) 12 were on psychological abuses, and (ii) 5 on physical abuses. 4) Out of the 198 cases reported – (i) 27 accused in 27 cases have been either fined or imprisoned; (ii) 12 cases have been resolved through first hand counselling by the Brigade pour la Protection de la Famille of the Northern Division; (iii) 5 cases have been filed with no further action for the following reasons – (a) in one case, the police has issued a warning to the accused; (b) three cases were related to only precautionary measure, and there has been no follow up by the alleged victims; (c) in one case, the victim withdrew her complaint. (iv) 4 cases are pending trial in Court; (v) for the remaining 150 cases, the enquiries are expected to be completed in four to five months and the case files would be submitted to the Office of the Director of Prosecution for advice. In general, Police intervene in a prompt manner, within an average of 15 minutes of the reporting of any incident. Madam Speaker, as regards part (a)(ii) of the question, I am informed that 14 Police Officers are currently posted to the Brigade pour la Protection de la Famille of the Northern Division and they are as follows – (i) 1 Police Inspector; (ii) 1 Police Sergeant; (iii) 3 Women Police Sergeants; (iv) 2 Police Constables, and (v) 7 Women Police Constables. From 2023 to 16 April 2026, 13 Police Officers were transferred from the Brigade pour la Protection de la Famille and were replaced by 12 Police Officers. The transfer of Police Officers is a common practice within the Force not only to enhance skills and meet administrative needs but also based on the exigencies of service. As regards part (b) of the question, the Brigade pour la Protection de la Famille of the Northern Division has a main office at Piton Divisional Headquarters and another office at the Triolet Police Station. The Brigade also provides support to the Goodlands Family Support Services of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Welfare. The Brigade pour la Protection de la Famille of the Northern Division has jurisdiction over 14 police stations from Tombeau Bay to Grand Bay and from Rivière du Rempart to Pamplemousses. All cases of domestic violence, child abuse and elderly abuse reported and investigated by 14 police stations are referred to the District Courts of either Pamplemousses or Rivière du Rempart.

Yes, Mr Beejan.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Can the hon. Prime Minister inform the House that in view of statistics of previous years which clearly show that cases of domestic violence, child abuse and ill-treatment of elderly person have increased, will he direct the Commissioner of Police to reorganise this Unit by separating Protection de la Famille and that of Protection of minors? Thank you.

In fact, the police are doing that. They have applied but a lot of these appointments depends on the DFSC.

Yes, the second one.

May I ask the hon. Prime Minister to indicate whether, due consideration will be given for additional police officers having a broad knowledge in this specialised unit?

This is what I indicated. The Commissioner of Police is doing just that.

Okay. Was that alright? Yes, okay. So, next question then hon. Third Member for Port Louis North & Montagne Longue. MAURITIUS POLICE FORCE – FINANCE & REVENUE SECTION – VACANCIES