The Seychelles Police yesterday commissioned a new communication and command centre which they say will empower them to deliver a better and professional service to the community and improve on their goals and objectives in order to achieve their vision and mission.

The commissioning formed part of activities to mark World Peace Day yesterday. Other activities by the force included blood donation at the Seychelles Police Academy at Pointe Larue and a Special Peace Service at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Victoria.

The centre is equipped with high-definition surveillance cameras and flat screens operating on wi-fi connectivity covering a large area of Victoria and its vicinity, as well as telephone and radio systems where officers deal with public queries and calls on a 24hr basis.

The centre has also been refurbished so as to create a conducive working environment for its staff and operators.

It will provide services which will include efficient telephone operators; punctual radio dispatches; GPS monitoring of all police vehicles; CCTV surveillance and electronic access to the number of officers and where they are deployed daily.

Present at the commissioning were the Minister for Home Affairs Charles Bastienne; Commissioner of Police Reginald Elizabeth; other high officials of the force and the security consultant of the CCTV project Steve Garrad.

Superintendent Francis Songoire gave Minister Bastienne an explanation on how the command centre functions and the services it offers.

The Marine Police Unit yesterday reached another milestone with the handing over and commissioning of two specialised boats donated by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and with main sponsors the Japanese government.

The boats –made of H/D UV resistant material and equipped with trailers to offload, VHF radio, VHF marine antenna, marine compasses, GPS/echo-sounder, among others – were handed over to the Marine Police Unit by the Minister for Home Affairs Charles Bastienne and deputy Ambassador of Japan to Seychelles, Mikio Mori.

The hand-over ceremony took place at the ex-Seychelles Coast Guard jetty on Bois de Rose Avenue.

Built in Sri Lanka, the boats were funded through the Trust Fund Contact Group and in particular the government of Japan which donated through the Trust Fund.

Also present at the ceremony were the Programme Officer for Maritime Crime of Indian Ocean (UNODC) Shanaka Jayasekara, high officials of the Seychelles Police Force, UNODC and the Japanese government.

It was the Commissioner of Police Ernest Quatre and Mr Jayasekara who officially signed the hand-over documents.