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 21st 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
