ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

“A special merit to you all .......

The Mauritius Crime Trend Study, a project which has been very close to my heart ever since I assumed command of the Force in October 2000, would not have seen light without the precious collaboration and support of various resource persons, institutions and, of course, the dedication of genuine professionals within our own organization.

First and foremost, I would like to convey my sincere appreciation to Honourable Paul Raymond Berenger, GCSK, Prime Minister, for his inspiring leadership and vision to see the Mauritius Police Force forging its way towards higher levels of professionalism. In the same vein, I wish to extend my thanks to the Secretary for Home Affairs and the staff of the Prime Minister’s Office for their wholehearted support of the Mauritius Police Force in all our endeavours.

From the depth of my heart, I sincerely extend my profound gratitude to Mrs. Virginia Gamba, Director of SaferAfrica, who has indeed been the pivotal and driving force of this joint venture. To this end, her dedicated team composed of a plethora of genuine professionals steered the project to a meaningful conclusion. Here, I make a special mention of charismatic Mr Riccardo de Caris, and energetic and hardworking Mrs Clare Jefferson. Mr Etienne Hennop, as well as Mrs Kate Rooseboom equally deserve our sincere thanks. I also place on record the invaluable support and guidance of Dr P Veerapen, Associate Professor, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Studies, University of Mauritius.

Our earnest thanks equally go to the managers of the Hotel School of Mauritius and Les Cocotiers Hotel, Rodrigues, for their unflinching support in the holding of law enforcement workshops.

This project, conceived at the helm of the Force, would not have come to fruition without the wholehearted commitment and painstaking efforts of two-able and assiduous officers, Mr A K Dip, Superintendent of Police, and Chief Inspector B Hangsraj, who were assigned the task of Project Managers which they fulfilled with distinction.

The newly set up Mauritius Police Research Secretariat, composed of qualified and dedicated officers, has handled this project with much professionalism. The way this team is evolving augurs well for the future. I have here in mind Chief Inspector Russeeawon, Inspectors K Rajaram and C Fricot, and Sergeants K Jayeprokash, D Cheenatur, N Ramburuth, B Marday and S Putty.

The unfolding of this project has proved to be a resounding success in every way and it is worth mentioning the quality of work produced by our team of forty (40) field officers while conducting surveys throughout the island. I therefore commend them all for their outstanding performance.

The back up and remarkable support provided by several in-house departments to the Research Secretariat including the Police Headquarters, Police Training School, Police Press Office, IT Unit, Transport and Logistics Department and the National Coast Guard are equally worthy of commendation.

Finally, I am grateful to all those who directly or indirectly contributed towards the success of this project, which will eventually be an important tool for the enhancement of professionalism in our organization and for devising new policing strategies for the betterment of the Mauritian society. Hopefully, it might become a regional and international example of proactive policing at the service of the people. This has always been our greatest aspiration and only goal.

... but you deserve more than that.”

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