ANNEX FOUR: ABOUT MAURITIUS AND THE MAURITIUS POLICE FORCE

About Mauritius
Mauritius is an island of volcanic origin, situated in the South West Indian Ocean approximately 2 000 kms from Durban, 1 800 kms from Mombasa, 6 000 kms from Perth, and 4 700 kms from Bombay.The island has an area of 1 865 sq kms and was known to the Arabs as early as the 10th century. Mauritius was officially discovered in 1505 by the Portuguese navigator Pedro Mascarenhas. The island was occupied successively by the Dutch from 1598 to 1712. The French took possession from 1715 to 1810 and ceded it to Great Britain in 1814 through the Treaty of Paris. On 12 March 1968, Mauritius became independent and acceded to the status of Republic on 12 March 1992.

Population
The population of the island of Mauritius is estimated at 1.3 million. At different times in the history of Mauritius, people of different origins – Indian (Hindu and Muslims), African, European and Chinese – have settled on the island bringing their cultures, languages, values and traditions. The country today is a cultural cross road and is often quoted as a perfect example of the peaceful co-existence of the main religions of the world.

Economy
The Mauritian economy is based on the export of sugar, products from the Export Processing Zone and tourism. At present Mauritius is at an industrial crossroad. Government established a Stock Exchange in 1989 whose main objective is to finance the increased investment needs of the economy. Offshore banking business aims at making Mauritius an offshore financial centre. Government and investors in the field of information and communication technology are investing massively in the ICT business so as to make Mauritius a cyber island.

Mauritius Police Force
The Mauritius Police Force (hereinafter called the Force) is constituted under Ordinance 16 of 1893 of the Laws of Mauritius (Cap 312 of Lane's Edition) as subsequently repealed by Act 19 of 1974 (Police Act). The organization is under the direct command of the Commissioner of Police who is responsible to the Prime Minister or to any other Minister to whom responsibility for the Police Force is assigned.

The Force is organized into the following branches and units: • Police Headquarters • Branches and Departments which include Communications, Criminal Investigation Department, Traffic Branch and all administrative and functional branches of the Force • The Police Divisions, which cover the whole area of the country, are sub-divided into station areas (organizational chart annexed)

The Force has an air-wing known as the Helicopter Squadron, a Paramilitary Unit (Special Mobile Force) and a National Coast Guard which has a maritime surveillance role.

The Force is forging towards an enhanced customer-centered service for peace, security and order in the country. It caters to law and order within the community, paying due respect to the fundamental rights and freedoms of the citizens of the state of Mauritius as enshrined in the Constitution. The Force’s aim is to remain visible, approachable and predominantly unarmed, with a view to providing a reassuring presence across the country, thus ensuring increased consultation with the public at large for better service delivery as per their expectations.

Police chart

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