Mauritius Police Force
{{Short description|National law enforcement agency of Mauritius}}
{{Infobox law enforcement agency
| agencyname = Mauritius Police Force
| nativename = {{native name|fr|Police Mauricienne}}
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| logo = File:Mauritius Police Force emblem.svg
| logocaption = Mauritius Police Force emblem
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| formedyear = 1767
| formedmonthday = 1 August
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| budget = ₨ 10.3 billion
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| country = Mauritius
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| sizearea = 2,040 km2
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| constitution1 = Police Act 1974
| police = yes
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| headquarters = Line Barracks, Port Louis
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| minister1name = Navinchandra Ramgoolam
| minister1pfo = Prime Minister of Mauritius
| chief1name = Commissioner of Police
| chief1position = Rampersad Sooroojebally{{cite web |title=Le CP Rampersad Sooroojebally : « Déterminé à élever la police à un haut niveau de professionnalisme » 24-Nov-2024 |url=https://www.lemauricien.com/actualites/societe/le-cp-rampersad-sooroojebally-determine-a-elever-la-police-a-un-haut-niveau-de-professionnalisme/657690/ |publisher=LeMauricien |access-date=14 December 2024}}
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| officetype = Division
| officename = {{collapsible list |title=8 |Central Division |Eastern Division |Metropolitan Division (North) |Metropolitan Division (South)
|Northern Division |Rodrigues Division |Southern Division| Western Division}}
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| website = [http://police.govmu.org/ police.govmu.org]
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The Mauritius Police Force (MPF) is the national law enforcement agency of Mauritius. The MPF carries out police, security, and military functions on Mauritius, with about 12,500 police officers under the command of the Commissioner of Police (CP). The MPF is part of the Home Affairs Division, which operates under the aegis of the Prime Minister's Office.{{cite web |title=15.1 Mauritius Police Force - Part I Civil Service - 2013 PRB Report|url=http://prb.pmo.govmu.org/English/Documents/PRB%20Reports/mpf.pdf |publisher=Pay Research Bureau |access-date=9 March 2020}}{{cite web |title=Overview of the Mauritius Police Force (MPF) |url=http://police.govmu.org/English/AboutUs/Pages/Overview-of-the-Mauritius-Police-Force-(MPF).aspx |website=Mauritius Police Force |access-date=9 March 2020}}
Military advisers from India and the United Kingdom work with the Special Mobile Force, the National Coast Guard, and the Police Helicopter Squadron, and Mauritian police officers are trained in India, the United Kingdom, and France. India and the United States provide training to National Coast Guard officers in such fields as seamanship and maritime law enforcement.
Branches
=Anti Drug and Smuggling Unit=
The Anti Drug and Smuggling Unit (ADSU) is the narcotics and anti-smuggling unit of the MPF. It is responsible for preventing smuggling and illegal drug distribution in Mauritius and the Outer Islands.{{cite web |title=ADSU Mauritius Police Force |url=https://police.govmu.org/police/?page_id=4919 |publisher=Government of Mauritius |access-date=2021-07-16}}
=Police Bike Patrol Unit=
The Police Bike Patrol Unit is the police bicycle unit of the MPF. It is primarily responsible for conducting patrols on bicycles with the goals of community policing, providing greater police presence, and patrolling areas not accessible to police vehicles.{{cite web |title=Bike Patrol Unit |url=https://lexpress.mu/s/la-police-bike-patrol-fait-peau-neuve-529475?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0K1nESSUkJK4Mv6rfkxg_KpmBnCT1CMy-eWNIGhDK1LImhm7JTTP-oG4o_aem_FnEGqA6nw9QRAo3JgnEzaw#Echobox=1701859218}}
=Anti Robbery Squad=
The Anti Robbery Squad (ARS), nicknamed the "Rottweilers", was a dedicated unit of the MPF tasked with combatting robbery crimes and supporting the Criminal Investigation Division. It was established in 2015 by then-CP Mario Nobin to replace the defunct Rottweilers SSU.
In 2017, CP Nobin appointed Inspector Seewoo, reported to be a close associate of Nobin, to head the ARS; in 2020, he was promoted to Chief Inspector, causing controversy due to "alleged irregularities" in his promotion. In 2020, CP Khemraj Servansingh transferred Seewoo to the Pointe-aux-Cannonniers police station and dismantled the ARS.{{cite web |title=Le démantèlement de l'Anti Robbery Squad pas à écarter |url=https://www.lexpress.mu/article/379797/demantelement-lanti-robbery-squad-pas-ecarter |publisher=L'Express |access-date=2020-07-09}}{{cite web |title=Force policière : L'Anti Robbery Squad démantelée |url=https://defimedia.info/force-policiere-lanti-robbery-squad-demantelee |publisher=Defimedia |access-date=2020-07-31}}{{cite web |last1=Moris |first1=E. |title=Plus d'Anti Robbery Squad à Maurice |url=https://www.zinfos-moris.com/Plus-d-Anti-Robbery-Squad-a-Maurice_a16441.html |publisher=Zinfos |access-date=2020-07-31}}
=National Coast Guard=
File:CGS-Valiant (cropped).jpg]]
File:U.S. Sailors train Mauritius coast guardsmen. (16143473384).jpg sailors training Mauritius coast guardsmen (in the center, dressed in blue) in 2015.]]
The National Coast Guard (NCG) is the coast guard of Mauritius. It was established in 1988 and consists of No. 1 Patrol Vessel Squadron and the Maritime Air Squadron.{{cite web |title=National Coast Guard |url=http://police.govmu.org/English/Organisation/Branches/Pages/National-Coast-Guard.aspx |website=Mauritius Police Force |access-date=8 March 2020}}
The NCG has been modernising its fleet introducing a Kora-class Offshore Patrol Vessel CGS Barracuda in 2015, two Sarojini Naidu-class patrol vessels CGS Victory in 2016 and CGS Valiant in 2017 and ten 14.5m GSL Fast Interceptor Boats in 2016.{{cite press release |title=Maritime Security - Induction of ten Fast Interceptor Boats |url=http://pmo.govmu.org/English/Events/Pages/Maritime-Security---Induction-of-ten-Fast-Interceptor-Boats.aspx |website=Prime Minister's Office |access-date=8 March 2020 |date=11 March 2016}}{{cite press release |title=Mauritius Police Force acquires new patrol vessel CGS Valiant |url=http://www.govmu.org/English/News/Pages/Mauritius-Police-Force-acquires-new-patrol-vessel-CGS-Valiant.aspx |website=Government of Mauritius |access-date=8 March 2020 |date=17 August 2017}}
The Maritime Air Squadron (MAS) was established in 1990 and operates a fixed wing fleet of three HAL Dornier 228 and one Britten-Norman Defender BN-2T for search-and-rescue missions and surveillance of territorial waters.{{cite press release |title=Maritime Air Squadron of the NCG celebrates 28th anniversary|url=http://gis.govmu.org/English/Publication/Documents/2018/Enewsletter%20Jul%202018.pdf |website=Government of Mauritius |access-date=8 March 2020 |date=July 2018}} The Defender entered service in 1992, the first Dornier 228 entered service in 1990, the second in 2004 and third in 2016. The Do 288 can be fitted with 7.62mm gun pods.{{cite news |last1=Mader |first1=Georg |title=Mauritius arms Do-228 MPAs with gun pods |url=https://www.janes.com/article/83532/mauritius-arms-do-228-mpas-with-gun-pods |work=Jane's Weekly |date=3 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003182948/https://www.janes.com/article/83532/mauritius-arms-do-228-mpas-with-gun-pods |archive-date=3 October 2018}}
The NCG has a maritime tactical unit established in 2010 the Commando Unit or Commandos Special Force.{{cite news |last1=Ramessur-Bhoyroo |first1=Preity |title=Garde-côtière: nos soldats des eaux |url=https://defimedia.info/garde-cotiere-nos-soldats-des-eaux-0 |access-date=8 March 2020 |work=Defimedia.info |date=3 July 2016 |language=fr}}{{cite news |last1=Tuyau|first1=Julien|title=La National Coast Guard crée un commando pour lutter contre la piraterie |url=https://www.lexpress.mu/article/la-national-coast-guard-cr%C3%A9e-un-commando-pour-lutter-contre-la-piraterie|access-date=8 March 2020 |work=L'Express |date=3 June 2010|language=fr}} The Commando Unit trains with the Indian Navy's MARCOS and the French Army's 2nd Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment (2e RPIMa), based in Réunion as part of FAZSOI.{{cite press release |title=Annual National Coast Guard Commando refresher training by Indian Marine Commando |url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/annual-national-coast-guard-commando-refresher-training-indian-marine-commandos-28-sep-%E2%80%93-24 |access-date=9 March 2020 |website=Indian Navy |date=24 October 2015}}{{cite press release |title=FAZSOI: Premier exercice bilatéral entre les FAZSOI et les forces de sécurité mauriciennes |url=https://www.defense.gouv.fr/english/operations/actualites2/fazsoi-premier-exercice-bilateral-entre-les-fazsoi-et-les-forces-de-securite-mauriciennes |website=Ministry of Armed Forces |language=fr |date=28 November 2019|access-date=13 March 2020}}
==Vessels==
File:Naval Ensign of Mauritius.svg
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! style="text-align:center; background:#aabccc;"|Ship ! style="text-align: center; background:#aabccc;"|Origin ! style="text-align:l center; background:#aabccc;"|Type ! style="text-align:l center; background:#aabccc;"|In service ! style="text-align: center; background:#aabccc;"|Class ! style="text-align: center; background:#aabccc;"|Notes |
| |CGS Barracuda
| rowspan="5" | {{Flag|India}} |1 | |
| CGS Valiant
| rowspan="2" | Patrol boat | rowspan="2" |2 | rowspan="2" | Sarojini Naidu-class patrol vessel | |
| CGS Victory
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| CGS Guardian
|1 | |
| CGS Observer
| |1 |AMPL (P-2000)-class interceptor boat | |
==Aircraft==
In March 1990 one radar equipped HAL Dornier 228 was ordered from India to form a maritime surveillance element by July 1991. This aircraft was reinforced in 1992 by a single twin turbo prop BN-2T Maritime Defender for coastal patrol work. A second HAL Dornier 228 was added to the fleet in 2004 and a third in 2016.
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! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|Aircraft ! style="text-align: center; background:#acc;"|Origin ! style="text-align:l center; background:#acc;"|Type ! style="text-align:left; background:#acc;"|Variant ! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|In service ! style="text-align: center; background:#acc;"|Notes |
| colspan="6" style="align: center; background: lavender;" | Maritime patrol |
|---|
| Dornier 228
|{{Flag|India}} |maritime patrol | | |
| BN-2T Defender
| {{Flag|United Kingdom}} |maritime patrol | | |
=National Security Service=
The National Security Service (NSS) is responsible for the national security of Mauritius. It was formerly known as the National Intelligence Unit (NIU) and State Security Service (SSS).{{cite web |title=Dimanche 11 Juin 1978 : L'enquête judiciaire sur l'incendie du Mauricien |url=https://www.lemauricien.com/actualites/dimanche-11-juin-1978-lenquete-judiciaire-sur-lincendie-du-mauricien/210606/ |publisher=Le Mauricien |access-date=2018-06-11}} During British rule, it was known as the Special Branch.{{cite web |title=Mauritius Police Force |url=https://police.govmu.org/police/?page_id=4929 |publisher=Government of Mauritius |access-date=2021-07-16}}
=Police Helicopter Squadron=
File:Mauritius Police Force Dhruv Helicopter.jpg of Mauritius Police Force]]
The Police Helicopter Squadron (PHS) is the police aviation unit of the MPF. Established in 1974, its main roles are search and rescue and casualty evacuation both inland and at sea, combatting gandia cultivation, traffic patrols, convoy escorts, and VIP transport.{{cite web|url= http://police.govmu.org/English/Organisation/Branches/Pages/Helicopter-Squadron.aspx|title=Helicopter Squadron|website=Mauritius Police Force|access-date=25 November 2019}}
The helicopter fleet consists of four HAL Chetak, one Eurocopter Fennec AS555 and two HAL Dhruv.{{cite press release |title=Police Helicopter Squadron celebrates its 44th anniversary |url=http://www.govmu.org/English/News/Pages/Police-Helicopter-Squadron-celebrates-its-44th-anniversary.aspx |website=Government of Mauritius |access-date=8 March 2020 |date=13 September 2018}}{{cite news|last1=Koch|first1=Valerie|title= A Dhruv on Réunion Island|url=https://www.verticalmag.com/news/dhruv-reunion-island/|work=Vertical Magazine |date=24 November 2016|access-date=15 November 2019}} The Dhruv helicopter entered service in 2009{{cite web |title=Supply of 'DHRUV' Advanced Light Helicopter from India to Mauritius |url=https://hcimauritius.gov.in/press?id=YerEd |website=High Commission of Port Louis, Mauritius |access-date=8 March 2020 |date=9 September 2009}} followed by the MK.3 variant in 2023.{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2023-02-10 |title=HAL hands over advanced light helicopter to Mauritius police |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/hal-hands-over-advanced-light-helicopter-to-mauritius-police/article66493739.ece |access-date=2023-02-11 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}} Two refurbished Chetak helicopters were gifted by India in 2016.{{cite web |title=Commissioning Ceremony of CGS Victory and 2 Chetak Helicopters |url=http://pmo.govmu.org/English/Events/Pages/Commissioning-Ceremony-of-CGS-Victory-and-2-Chetak-Helicopters.aspx |website=Prime Minister's Office |access-date=8 March 2020 |date=12 December 2016}}{{cite news |last1=Wakankar |first1=Nitin D |title=Defence Minister Mr Manohar Parrikar Visits Mauritius |url=http://www.sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2016/dec16-16/h3.htm |access-date=8 March 2020 |work=Sainik Samachar |date=16 December 2016}}
| class="wikitable"
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|Aircraft ! style="text-align: center; background:#acc;"|Origin ! style="text-align:l center; background:#acc;"|Type ! style="text-align:left; background:#acc;"|Variant ! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|In service ! style="text-align: center; background:#acc;"|Notes |
| colspan="6" style="align: center; background: lavender;" | Helicopter |
|---|
| HAL Dhruv
| {{Flag|India}} | utility | MK.1 and MK.3 | 2{{cite web |url= http://indiahighcom-mauritius.org/pages.php?id=125 |title= Supply of 'DHRUV' Advanced Light Helicopter |publisher= indiahighcom |access-date= 4 May 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150511234908/http://indiahighcom-mauritius.org/pages.php?id=125 |archive-date= 11 May 2015 |url-status= live |df= dmy-all }} | |
| HAL Chetak
| {{Flag|India}} |SAR / utility | |
| AS355
| {{Flag|France}} | utility | AS355 SN | |
=Special Mobile Force=
The Special Mobile Force (SMF) is the paramilitary force of the MPF and the de facto military of Mauritius. It was established in 1960 following the withdrawal of two companies of the British King's African Rifles.{{cite web |title=Special Mobile Force |url=http://police.govmu.org/English/Organisation/Branches/Pages/Special-Mobile-Force.aspx |website=Mauritius Police Force |access-date=9 March 2020}}{{cite web |title=Military Garrison |url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/1959-07-07/debates/8af7e869-8303-4a32-9fde-44d6d6d027f4/MilitaryGarrison |website=UK Parliament Hansard |publisher=House of Commons |access-date=9 March 2020 |date=7 July 1959}} The SMF recruited World War II veterans and select police officers and was led by British commanders until 1978.
The 1,500-member SMF and the 500-member National Coast Guard are the only two paramilitary units in Mauritius. Both units are composed of police officers on lengthy rotations to those services.IISS Military Balance 2007IISS Military Balance 2010World Aircraft Information Files; Brightstar Publishing; File 331, Sheet 4
The SMF is a motorized infantry battalion with five companies, an engineering squadron, and a mobile wing comprising two squadrons equipped with armored vehicles. The SMF training is based on conventional military tactics focused on internal security. It engages extensively in civic works projects.
The SMF has a police tactical unit established in 1979, the Groupement d’Intervention de la Police Mauricienne (GIPM) ({{langx|en|link=no|Mauritian Police Intervention Group}}).{{cite news |last1=Vencatareddy-Nursingen |first1=Selvanee |title=GIPM: au cœur de l'exercice de recrutement |url=https://www.lexpress.mu/article/282535/gipm-au-coeur-lexercice-recrutement |access-date=8 March 2020 |work=L'Express |date=28 May 2016 |language=fr}} The GIPM trains with the French National Gendarmerie's Groupe d'intervention de la Gendarmerie nationale (GIGN) and the French Army's 2e RPIMa.{{cite news |title=Les policiers d'élite mauriciens formés par le GIGN |url=https://www.clicanoo.re/Actualites/Article/2016/11/26/Les-policiers-delite-mauriciens-formes-par-le-GIGN_7772 |access-date=9 March 2020 |work=Clicanoo |date=26 November 2016 |language=fr}}
=Special Support Unit=
The Special Support Unit (SSU) is the riot police and reserve unit of the MPF. It was established in 1986.{{cite web |title=Special Supporting Unit |url=http://police.govmu.org/English/Organisation/Branches/Pages/Special-Supporting-Unit.aspx |website=Mauritius Police Force |access-date=8 March 2020}} The SSU consists of five operational units and a training wing.
=Police Band=
The Police Band is the official musical group of the MPF. It can operate as a military band, a marching band, a string orchestra, and a contemporary pop group.{{Cite web|title=The Mauritius Police Force - Police Band|url=http://police.govmu.org/English/Organisation/Units/Pages/Police-Band.aspx|access-date=2020-06-02|website=police.govmu.org}} One of its alumni was Joseph Philippe Gentil, a composer best known for composing Motherland, the national anthem of Mauritius.{{cite book|author=Chit Geerjanand Dukhira|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jPJEAQAAIAAJ|title=Mauritius and local government management|publisher=All India Institute of Local Self-Government|year=1992|page=43|isbn = 9788185473024}} On Independence Day 1968, a national newspaper mistakenly published the name and photograph of Philippe Oh San (the Police Band's maestro at the time) as the anthem's composer, with the remaining newspapers being reprinted with the correction.{{Cite web|title=Mauritius – nationalanthems.info|url=http://www.nationalanthems.info/mu.htm|access-date=2020-07-31|website=www.nationalanthems.info}}
Ranks
| class="wikitable" width=100% style="text-align: center;"
!colspan=7|Mauritius Police Ranks and Insignia |
| Width=4%|Rank
|Width=8%|Commissioner |Width=8%|Deputy Commissioner |Width=8%|Assistant Commissioner |Width=8%|Superintendent |Width=8%|Assistant Superintendent |Width=8%|Deputy Assistant Superintendent |
|---|
| Epaulette Insignia
|80px |80px |80px |80px |80px |80px |
| Width=4%|Rank
|Width=8%|Chief Inspector |Width=8%|Inspector |Width=8%|Cadet Officer |Width=8%|Sergeant |Width=8%|Corporal |Width=8%|Constable |
| Epaulette Insignia
|80px |80px ||80px |80px |80px |80px |
Small arms
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
{{CIA World Factbook|year=2003}}
{{Commons category|Police of Mauritius|Mauritius Police Force}}
External links
- [http://police.govmu.org/ Mauritius Police Force website]
- [http://www.uniforminsignia.org/?option=com_insigniasearch&Itemid=53&result=117 Uniform Insignia Mauritius Police Force]
{{Mauritius topics}}
{{Military of Africa}}
{{Authority control}}