UNODC and INTERPOL conduct Successful Police Training in Seychelles

 

Seychelles Police Commissioner Ernest Quatre and Police Minister Joel Morgan with course participants at the Seychelles Police Academy

Law enforcement officers from the Seychelles and Mauritius gained more expertise to investigate major crimes including maritime piracy after a comprehensive training course conducted by the UNODC in partnership with INTERPOL in the Seychelles in February.

The UNODC-funded course saw 25 officers learn specialist skills that will better equip them to deal with not only piracy-related offences but also other transnational crimes. Seychellois waters have been infested with Somali pirates over the past few years, causing damage to the island nation's economy. Pirate attacks are being recorded ever closer to Mauritian waters.

At the course closing ceremony, where the students received their certificates, Seychelles Home Affairs Minister Joël Morgan, who is responsible for piracy matters, said: "We cannot afford to lower our guard and give ground to those who do not want us to enjoy a peaceful, quiet and secure living environment."

He said the government is also getting help from the UNODC, INTERPOL and EUROPOL in various projects to help Seychelles be better equipped in the fight against piracy.

The UNODC has confirmed its contribution of $ US2million to develop national projects, while $US400,000 has been allocated to build a remand centre.

The overall objective of the training programme, which is ongoing, is to build the intelligence and analytical capacity of the law enforcement agencies by providing the necessary training, operational police support and ancillary equipment that will enable to efficiently and effectively anticipate, respond and investigate cases of maritime piracy and other transnational crimes.