Tuesday morning the Minister for Internal Affairs Mr Errol Fonseka, accompanied by Commissioner Ted Barbe paid a courtesy call to The Truth, Reconciliation and National Unity Commission Chairman Mrs Macintyre at the Commission’s Headquarters based in Perseverance.

Discussion held evolved around the TRNUC Act, its mandate, complaints procedures, investigation aspects, identifying suspects and culprits, reparations for victims among others. The meeting was more or less a learning curve for both sides as points discussed concentrated mainly on challenges faced by both parties in regards to cases which have been before the Commission so far and possible spill offs which the Police should be made aware of in order to better deal with if need be after the Commission’s mandate ends in August next year.

Existing legal framework that needs to be reviewed and new policies to accommodate the commission’s findings and recommendations were points of no contention for the Minister and TRNUC Chairman if the final product from the whole process is to be a success.

Both parties acknowledged constraints of limited resources as major setback to more effectiveness in the performance and delivery to their clients but also appreciate positive differences made in the lives of many who have been through the TRNUC process.

Also present in the Minister’s delegation were Head of visible Policing Chief Superintendent Francis Songoire and CID Chief Superintendent Justin Dogley and Director for Trafficking in persons Bureau Ms Ina Laporte while in attendance from the TRNUC’s side were two commissioners namely Mrs Marie Therese Purvis and Mrs Marie May Leon.

Greetings to one and all. Even though I may not physically be present with you due to work commitments, please be assured that my prayers and well wishes are with you.

Peace Day is celebrated internationally on the 21^st September each year. The Seychelles Police considering that its law-enforcement members are first and foremost “peace officers” have adopted that day to mark our National Police Day.

National Police Days are celebrated by countries around the world such as the USA, Russia, England, Singapore, Wales and Australia but generally not on International Peace Day.

Police Day is a day when recognition is given to the services rendered by their respective policing agencies. Likewise we in Seychelles also take this opportunity to acknowledge and give recognition to our members of the Seychelles Police Force on this our National Police Day.

This is a day which also indicates to local and international communities that our members of the Seychelles Police Force are honoured and respected for the law and order and the safety and security that they provide for the Republic of Seychelles and its people.

The Seychelles Police Force management believe that investment in its human capital is the fundamental basis on which it depends to prevent, reduce and investigate crime. Planned events during the week will show appreciation for the duties performed by our officers and civilian staff on a daily basis which oftentimes go by unnoticed.

Being a member of the Seychelles Police Force is not merely a job. It is a vocation. It is a calling that only a few will understand or fully appreciate. Therefore today we call for our communities to cooperate and work with the Police to rid our communities of crime. It is also about reminding our communities to respect our police officers.

National Police Day is indeed a very special day in the Police Force calendar. It is a day when our police officers rededicate themselves to the noble and critical vocation they have taken. On this day we use this occasion to reaffirm and remind ourselves of the back to basics approach adopted by the Seychelles Police Force.

The Seychelles Police Force approach to policing is based on an inclusive and integrated approach which involves a buy in from all levels of government, civil society and the general public. It is only by working together that we will be able to achieve success in making our country safe and secure from crime.

We are gravely concerned about crimes against women and children as well as drug and alcohol abuse in our society. We urge communities to work harder to isolate criminals and rid society of these crimes and causes of so much strife and suffering.

On National Police Day we fully recommit to a people-centred, professional and service-driven policing dispensation in our country. We are nothing without our people and on National Police Day we must all rededicate ourselves to serving our people with excellence and all we have in our power.

In saying this, it must also be reiterated that the public must contribute to the creation of a more conducive environment for the police to fight crime more decisively. This must be done by reporting all criminal activities to the police. Members of the public must also refrain from behavior that perpetuates crime, such as buying stolen goods for example.

In closing I wish to emphasize what I have said so often in the past and that is:

“Working together we can achieve all that we set out to do”

Remember “A Team Player”

Works positively together with everyone to get the job done in the best way possible.

I Thank You.

Mr K Labonte

COMMISSIONER OF POLICE

Deputy Commissioners of Police

Assistant Commissioner of Police

Senior Officers

Members of the Force

Good morning to one and all present.

I wish to quote from the Seychelles Police Instruction Book – Chapter 1 Paragraph 2 which was published in November 1977 by Mr James Pillay, the first Seychellois Commissioner of the Seychelles Police Force:

• “The primary object of an efficient police is the prevention of crime; the next that of detection and punishment of offenders if crime is committed. To these ends all the efforts of police must be directed. The protection of life and property, the preservation of public tranquility, and the absence of crime, will alone prove whether those efforts have been successful, and whether the objects for which the police were appointed have been attained”.

(Sir Richard Mayne 1829)

These words were written in 1829 by Sir Richard Mayne the first joint Commissioner of the London Metropolitan Police. These words still ring true today for any police force anywhere in the world, including for us here in Seychelles.

In order to attain our objectives, much depends on the approval and co-operation of the public, and these have always been determined by the degree of respect and esteem in which the police are held. Therefore every member of the Force must remember that it is his duty to protect and help members of the public, no less than bring offenders to justice.

First and foremost, Policing is the prevention of crime.

 Most people can identify a police officer by the official police uniform. Criminals usually curb their unlawful behavior when they spot a police officer in their area.

Research has shown   that the uniform of a police officer has a profound psychological impact on those who view it. The crisp uniform of a police officer conveys power and authority.

Consequently, I urge all the police officers in the Visible Policing to wear their uniforms with pride. Always be smart and walk smartly in your uniform.

Complete and total prevention of crime only prevails in a utopian society, something which we are all striving for, but which no-one has yet achieved.  The efforts that we have employed here in Seychelles to achieve this ideal has been spelt out with regards to the statistics on Visible Policing and Crime Prevention which CSP Jacklin has already alluded to.

However we know that we do not live in a perfect society and the reality is that crime will take place. That brings us to the next object of an efficient police as stated by Sir Richard Mayne which is that of detection and punishment of offenders if crime is committed. This refers to the efforts of reactive policing as conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department commonly referred to as C.I.D.

The statistics for Reactive cases for the 2018 period is as follows:

• No of cases carried forward to 2019: 494
• Average solving rate: 9%

The statistics for the corresponding 2017 period is:

• No of cases carried forward to 2018: 1159
• Average solving rate: 6%

A comparison of the statistics shows that there has been an improvement in the performance of the C.I.D. from 2017 to 2018 as is evident with the increase in the solving rate and the lowering of the number of cases carried forward from one year to the next.

Sir Richard Mayne goes on to say that all the efforts of police must be directed to these two main objects, that being the prevention of crime and the detection of crime.  We, as the Seychelles Police Force, are constantly directing and redirecting our efforts in order to achieve these two objectives as is evident in the statistics that we have presented this morning.

Policing in general is not a simple task, but a rather complex one. A policeman is expected and required to wear many different hats during the course of his tour of duty. He has to change hats from being a lawyer, to a doctor at times, to a teacher, a social worker, a mother, a father to name but a few. It is for this reason that we invest in our policemen and women’s skills development so that they may carry out their duties effectively and efficiently in order that the targets that are set in terms of crime prevention and crime detection are achieved.

Our targets for 2019 and beyond are determined by our previous performance and based on the statistics presented today, I am certain that we are on the right path to making Seychelles a safer and better place for all Seychellois and visitors alike. In order to achieve these targets I require the full and undivided cooperation of all my officers and civilian staff. I also require the commitment and support from the public as well as from Government and civil society.

I wish to point out that change can take place at any given time but the implementation of change follows due process and this does not happen overnight, but over a period of time. I therefore urge one and all by humbly requesting the exercise of patience in seeing the fruits of our combined labour in achieving our set goals and targets.

Working together we can achieve all that we set out to do.

Remember A “Team Player”

Works positively together with everyone to get the job done in the best way possible.

Finally, I thank all of you for the support you have given me during the year under review and I look forward to closer collaboration.

Once again, I thank you!

Mr K Labonte

COMMISSIONER OF POLICE

Details of Regional Commanders and station commanders, Police Academy commandant as well as officer incharge of Dog Unit and Marine Police Unit.

The aim of having most senior officers based in the regions is to ensure better command, supervision, efficiency and more professionalism in terms of service rendered by the organization to the community.

Details of Regional Commanders and station commanders, Police Academy commandant as well as officer incharge of Dog Unit and Marine Police Unit.

The aim of having most senior officers based in the regions is to ensure better command, supervision, efficiency and more professionalism in terms of service rendered by the organization to the community. It is also envisaged that having most seniors at regional level will relief pressure on headquarters where most members of the public come with grievances from the districts.

Members of the public are being asked and encouraged to take note, visit or report to the regional commanders and or Station commanders on matters and issues affecting their respective communities, regions so that timely solutions can be sought with regards to their concerns. 

	Region 1: Mt Fleuri, Roche Caiman, Plaisance & Les Mamelles Superintendent Jean Paul Ernesta Based @ Mont Fleuri Police Station Tel: 4288067 Email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.		Region 2: A. A.Pins, Airport, Cascade, Pointe Larue, Aux Cap. Superintendent Ronnie Mousbe, Based @Anse Aux Pins Tel: 4303735 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	Inspector Marcus  Jean Station Commander for Mont Fleuri Tel :4288068 Email : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.		Assistant Superintendent Vincent Marie Anse Aux Pins Station Commander   Tel : 4303736 Email : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	Region 3 : Anse Royale, Baie Lazare, Takamaka, Anse Boileau, Grand Anse Mahe,  Port Glaud Superintendent James Tirant Based @Anse Royale Tel: 4288113 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.		Region 4: Beau Vallon, Bel Ombre, Glacis, Anse Etoile, Ile Perseverance Superintendent Jacques Valentin To be based @ Beau Vallon Tel : 4288095 Email :This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	Assistant Superintendent Linda Dogley Anse Boileau Station Commander Tel: 4288111 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.		Assistant Superintendent Jeffrey Jean Baptiste Beau Vallon Station Commander Tel :4248260 Email : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	Assistant Superintendent Ronny Julienne Anse Royale Station Commander Tel :4372050/4372012 Email : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.		Assistant superintendent Wilson Denis Anse Etoile Station Commander.  Tel : 428 8094 Email : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	Region 5: Bel Air, St Louis, Mont Buxton and English River  Commander: Assistant Superintendent Ned Wirtz based @Central Headquarters Tel: 4288155 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.		Inspector Maryse Hoareau  Ile Perseverance Station Commander Tel : 4288105/6 Email : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	Inspector Venessa Jean Central Police Station Commander Tel: 4288053 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.		Region 6: Praslin and La Digue Acting Regional Commander: Inspector Jeffrey Antoine Based on Praslin Tel :4303515          Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	Superintendent James Matombe Officer in charge of the Marine Police Unit as well as Dog Unit. Tel: 2722864 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.		Sub-Inspector Charles Robinson La Digue’s Station Commander. Tel: 4288128/4288129 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

In line with the Police new structure unveiled very recently by Mr Kishnan Labonte the Commissioner of Police; we publish today details of the Head and senior officers posted as Regional Commanders with respective districts under their command.

It must be noted however that until January next year, Beau Vallon and Anse Etoile remains under the command of Assistant Superintendent Jeffrey Jean- Baptiste and Assistant Superintendent Wilson Denis respectively.

The aim of having most senior officers based in the region is to ensure better command, supervision, efficiency and more professionalism in terms of service rendered by the organization to the community. It is also envisaged that having most seniors at regional level will relief pressure on headquarters where most members of the public come with grievances from the districts.

The new Seychelles Police Force organisational structure -- which has two deputy Commissioners of Police under the Commissioner – was unveiled yesterday.

The two deputy Commissioners (DCP) are Romano Songhor and Ted Barbe. These two DCP are in charge of the two major departments of the force – DCP Barbe for Investigation and Personnel Development and DCP Songhor for Visible Policing and Specialised Operations. Specialised Operations caters for the former NDEA under a new name -- the Anti-Narcotics Bureau.

The event took place at the Seychelles Trading Company Ltd (STC) conference centre on Bois de Rose Avenue in the presence of senior officers of the force.

Addressing high ranking officers of the force, Commissioner of Police Kishnan Labonte said he wants to see a police force that is efficient, disciplined and one who goes out to and serve the community, who can investigate a crime and make effective use of resources.

In the meantime, he said, the force will build up on the capacity it has but there is always a need for it to gain more experience and experts from other fields to assist the force.

The Office of the Commissioner of Police has announced that the President has approved the appointment of Romano Songor and Ted Barbe as deputy Commissioner of Police.

Mr Songor and Mr Barbe are former NDEA Deputy Chief Officer to the now new Commissioner of Police Kishnan Labonte.

A group of 25 recruits from the Seychelles Police Academy (SPA) graduated on Friday after undergoing a six-month training programme at the academy.

The training started off with 29 recruits on April 3 of this year but unfortunately four recruits did not complete the course. Interestingly enough, 20 out of the 25 new constables are females while only 5 are males.

The graduation ceremony was held at the academy at Pointe Larue in the presence of Designated Minister Macsuzy Mondon, Commissioner of Police Kishnan Labonte, Commander of SPA Assistant Superintendent Ned Wirtz, officers of the force and families of the graduates.

It has become customary, over the years, to reward students who excel and perform above par in their studies during these types of graduations, and this one was no exception.

37-year-old Beryl Rapide clinched the awards for best overall recruit-in-training and best disciplined recruit.

To celebrate Deepavali (Diwali) the Copper Pot restaurant at Beau Vallon brought lunch (chicken briyani, ghee rice with chicken curry) to some 50 police officers at the Beau Vallon police station yesterday.

Deepavali is celebrated by Hindus, Jains and Sikhs to mark various historical events and stories, but they all symbolise the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil, and hope over despair.

It was the newly appointed Commissioner of Police Kishnan Labonte who accepted the donation from the owner of Copper Pot, Mangala Raja.

Mrs Raja stated that everyone needs to support the police officers in their dangerous task.

“Our business is in Beau Vallon and we support the community in whatever forms possible. Deepavali is also a time to share and care, so we found it suitable to share and care with the community police of Beau Vallon and Glacis police station. We are aware how tough the job of every police officer is and we take this Deepavali celebration time to appreciate their service through a common lunch supported by our business,” she said.