A group of police officers who have followed various training courses have received their certificates while others have been recognised for their long years of service with the force.
This took place during a ceremony held yesterday at the Seychelles Trading Company’s conference room in the presence of the Minister for Home Affairs Mitcy Larue, Commissioner of Police Reginald Elizabeth, Air Seychelles representative Joel De Commarmond, senior officers and members of the Seychelles Police.
Twenty-nine officers received certificates for Developing Performance Leadership, thirteen received certificates for Training of Trainers while fourteen received their Customer Service certificates.
The three courses were delivered by the University of Seychelles (UniSey) during the course of 2015 and 2016.
A group of eleven officers who took a refresher course in practical First Aid led by the Red Cross Society of Seychelles (RCSS) also received their certificate.
Officers who were rewarded for their long years of service and exemplary conduct have clocked 15, 25 and 40 years with the force.
Compol Elizabeth presented medals to six members who have clocked 15 years of service, eight members who have clocked 25 years of service and six who have clocked 40 years of service.
Minister Larue presented medals to four officers for excellence and their contributions to the betterment of the force. Aside from the medal, the recipients of this award also received an Air Seychelles ticket as a token of appreciation. The recipients were Police Sergeant Harry Gamatis, Inspector Henry Forte, Chief Superintendent Guy Roucou and Compol Elizabeth.
During the ceremony the Commisioner also gave an overview of crime statistics for 2016.
On display was a collage of photos taken during the year while the police choir entertained those present.
A sergeant also presented Minister Larue with a bouquet of flowers.
The ceremony culminated with the cutting of a commemorative cake.
Minister Larue thanked and commended the police officers for their hard work throughout the year and congratulated them for achieving their crime reduction targets for the year.
“However despite these accomplishments, we cannot forget the many challenges that face us. We must take stock and focus on issues and areas that still require our full attention and commitment. The continued development of a professional police force and service must be addressed at all levels of the institution,” she said.
Chief Superintendent Roucou, who has been working for the police for 45 years, said he is proud of his accomplishments as this is a job where you have to sacrifice a lot to be able to make it.
“You need to have knowledge and love for the job to make it in the police force. I started in general duties at the age of 18 and throughout all these years I never wavered or felt discouraged to leave although there were certain difficulties,” he said.
He has served 37 years in the unit now known as Public Security Support Wing (PSSW) and he is now in the police internal affairs department.
Inspector Belle, who has clocked 40 years of service, said he started working for the police during colonial times.
“It is a commitment that you have to be ready to serve but it has not been easy at all as you have to be mentally and psychologically strong,” he said.
Inspector Belle has worked in various stations and units throughout his time in the force but he is currently in the Priority Unit CID (Criminal Investigation Department).
