COMMISSIONER of Police Severin Moncherry is concerned about the increase in criminal activities in the south of the island and the shortage of resources the force has been grappling with for some time now.
He expressed such concerns in an interview with this reporter prior to a meeting the Minister of Home Affairs, Justice and National Security, Hermingild Francis held with officers in the Southern Division of the force.
The objectives of the meeting which was held on Wednesday at the National Skills Development Centre (NSDC) in Vieux-Fort and attended by some of the top brass of the force was to outline plans for the future of the division, listening to their concerns and boosting their morale.
As it relates to criminal activities in the southern part of the island, Moncherry said: “It’s getting worse, but not out of hand,” adding that the situation is not one that is usual in the south.
“We have a lot of young people who are victims and perpetrators…” he lamented.
According to Moncherry, there is a need to devise strategies to deal with the social disorder in the south of the island.
He said the force is grappling with a shortage of manpower which needs to be addressed sooner rather than later in order to deal with crime effectively.
“There is a lack of resources in the force …We also have other concerns relating to crime, ”Moncherry said, adding that his major concern is crime among the youth.
When asked about the level of motivation of his officers, Moncherry said: “Based on the last meeting I held with them a few weeks ago, I think they are highly motivated, but there are some concerns…”
According to the Commissioner of Police, there has been an increase in the amount of resources given to them recently but much more is needed.
He said despite their constrains, they are making maximum use of their limited resources to bring satisfaction to the general public
According to Moncherry, this is the second time they have met with the minister, but as commissioner, he is constantly meeting with his officers to discuss the various issues affecting them.
“We need to be on the ground constantly to know what is going on…” he said.