Mauritius Police Force

National law enforcement agency of Mauritius

Law enforcement agency

Mauritius Police Force
Police Mauricienne (French)

Mauritius Police Force emblem

Agency overview
Formed| 1 August, 1767
Annual budget| ₨ 10.3 billion
Jurisdictional structure
National agency| Mauritius
Operations jurisdiction| Mauritius
Size| 2,040 km2
Constituting instrument|

* Police Act 1974

General nature|

* Civilian police

Operational structure
Headquarters| Line Barracks, Port Louis
Sworn members| 12,475 (2013)[1]
Elected officer responsible|

* Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Prime Minister of Mauritius

Agency executive|

* Commissioner of Police, Rampersad Sooroojebally[2]

Divisions|

* Central Division
* Eastern Division
* Metropolitan Division (North)
* Metropolitan Division (South)
* Northern Division
* Rodrigues Division
* Southern Division
* Western Division

Website
police.govmu.org

The Mauritius Police Force (MPF) is the national law enforcement agency of Mauritius. The MPF carries out police, security, and military functions on Mauritius, with about 12,500 police officers under the command of the Commissioner of Police (CP). The MPF is part of the Home Affairs Division, which operates under the aegis of the Prime Minister's Office.[1][3]

Military advisers from India and the United Kingdom work with the Special Mobile Force, the National Coast Guard, and the Police Helicopter Squadron, and Mauritian police officers are trained in India, the United Kingdom, and France. India and the United States provide training to National Coast Guard officers in such fields as seamanship and maritime law enforcement.

## Branches

[edit]

### Anti Drug and Smuggling Unit

[edit]

The Anti Drug and Smuggling Unit (ADSU) is the narcotics and anti-smuggling unit of the MPF. It is responsible for preventing smuggling and illegal drug distribution in Mauritius and the Outer Islands.[4]

### Police Bike Patrol Unit

[edit]

The Police Bike Patrol Unit is the police bicycle unit of the MPF. It is primarily responsible for conducting patrols on bicycles with the goals of community policing, providing greater police presence, and patrolling areas not accessible to police vehicles.[5]

### Anti Robbery Squad

[edit]

The Anti Robbery Squad (ARS), nicknamed the "Rottweilers", was a dedicated unit of the MPF tasked with combatting robbery crimes and supporting the Criminal Investigation Division. It was established in 2015 by then-CP Mario Nobin to replace the defunct Rottweilers SSU.

In 2017, CP Nobin appointed Inspector Seewoo, reported to be a close associate of Nobin, to head the ARS; in 2020, he was promoted to Chief Inspector, causing controversy due to "alleged irregularities" in his promotion. In 2020, CP Khemraj Servansingh transferred Seewoo to the Pointe-aux-Cannonniers police station and dismantled the ARS.[6][7][8]

### National Coast Guard

[edit]

MCGS Valiant arriving in Port Louis United States Navy sailors training Mauritius coast guardsmen (in the center, dressed in blue) in 2015.

The National Coast Guard (NCG) is the coast guard of Mauritius. It was established in 1988 and consists of No. 1 Patrol Vessel Squadron and the Maritime Air Squadron.[9]

The NCG has been modernising its fleet introducing a Kora-class Offshore Patrol Vessel CGS Barracuda in 2015, two Sarojini Naidu-class patrol vessels CGS Victory in 2016 and CGS Valiant in 2017 and ten 14.5m GSL Fast Interceptor Boats in 2016.[10][11][12]

The Maritime Air Squadron (MAS) was established in 1990 and operates a fixed wing fleet of three HAL Dornier 228 and one Britten-Norman Defender BN-2T for search-and-rescue missions and surveillance of territorial waters.[13] The Defender entered service in 1992, the first Dornier 228 entered service in 1990, the second in 2004 and third in 2016.[13] The Do 288 can be fitted with 7.62mm gun pods.[14]

The NCG has a maritime tactical unit established in 2010 the Commando Unit or Commandos Special Force.[15][16] The Commando Unit trains with the Indian Navy's MARCOS and the French Army's 2nd Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment (2e RPIMa), based in Réunion as part of FAZSOI.[17][18]

#### Vessels

[edit]

Naval Ensign of Mauritius Ship  | Origin  | Type  | In service  | Class  | Notes

|
|
|
|
|

CGS Barracuda |  India | Patrol boat | 1  | Kora-class corvette |
CGS Valiant | Patrol boat | 2  | Sarojini Naidu-class patrol vessel |
CGS Victory |
CGS Guardian | Patrol boat | 1  | Seaward-class patrol vessel |
CGS Observer |  | 1  | AMPL (P-2000)-class interceptor boat |

#### Aircraft

[edit]

Roundel of Mauritius

In March 1990 one radar equipped HAL Dornier 228 was ordered from India to form a maritime surveillance element by July 1991. This aircraft was reinforced in 1992 by a single twin turbo prop BN-2T Maritime Defender for coastal patrol work. A second HAL Dornier 228 was added to the fleet in 2004 and a third in 2016.[19][20][21]

Aircraft  | Origin  | Type  | Variant  | In service  | Notes

|
|
|
|
|

Maritime patrol
Dornier 228 |  India
Germany | maritime patrol  |  | 3[13] |
BN-2T Defender |  United Kingdom | maritime patrol  |  | 1[22] |

### National Security Service

[edit]

The National Security Service (NSS) is responsible for the national security of Mauritius. It was formerly known as the National Intelligence Unit (NIU) and State Security Service (SSS).[23] During British rule, it was known as the Special Branch.[24]

### Police Helicopter Squadron

[edit]

Dhruv MK.3 of Mauritius Police Force

The Police Helicopter Squadron (PHS) is the police aviation unit of the MPF. Established in 1974, its main roles are search and rescue and casualty evacuation both inland and at sea, combatting gandia cultivation, traffic patrols, convoy escorts, and VIP transport.[25][26]

The helicopter fleet consists of four HAL Chetak, one Eurocopter Fennec AS555 and two HAL Dhruv.[25][27] The Dhruv helicopter entered service in 2009[28] followed by the MK.3 variant in 2023.[29] Two refurbished Chetak helicopters were gifted by India in 2016.[11][30]

Aircraft  | Origin  | Type  | Variant  | In service  | Notes

|
|
|
|
|

Helicopter
HAL Dhruv |  India | utility  | MK.1 and MK.3  | 2[25][31] |
HAL Chetak |  India | SAR / utility  | SA316B | 4[25] |
AS355 |  France | utility  | AS355 SN | 1[25][22] |

### Special Mobile Force

[edit]

The Special Mobile Force (SMF) is the paramilitary force of the MPF and the de facto military of Mauritius. It was established in 1960 following the withdrawal of two companies of the British King's African Rifles.[32][33] The SMF recruited World War II veterans and select police officers and was led by British commanders until 1978.[32]

The 1,500-member SMF and the 500-member National Coast Guard are the only two paramilitary units in Mauritius. Both units are composed of police officers on lengthy rotations to those services.[19][20][21]

The SMF is a motorized infantry battalion with five companies, an engineering squadron, and a mobile wing comprising two squadrons equipped with armored vehicles.[32] The SMF training is based on conventional military tactics focused on internal security.[32] It engages extensively in civic works projects.

The SMF has a police tactical unit established in 1979, the Groupement d’Intervention de la Police Mauricienne (GIPM) (English: Mauritian Police Intervention Group).[34] The GIPM trains with the French National Gendarmerie's Groupe d'intervention de la Gendarmerie nationale (GIGN) and the French Army's 2e RPIMa.[35][18]

### Special Support Unit

[edit]

The Special Support Unit (SSU) is the riot police and reserve unit of the MPF. It was established in 1986.[36] The SSU consists of five operational units and a training wing.[36]

### Police Band

[edit]

The Police Band is the official musical group of the MPF. It can operate as a military band, a marching band, a string orchestra, and a contemporary pop group.[37] One of its alumni was Joseph Philippe Gentil, a composer best known for composing Motherland, the national anthem of Mauritius.[38] On Independence Day 1968, a national newspaper mistakenly published the name and photograph of Philippe Oh San (the Police Band's maestro at the time) as the anthem's composer, with the remaining newspapers being reprinted with the correction.[39]

## Ranks

[edit]

Mauritius Police Ranks and Insignia

Rank  | Commissioner | Deputy Commissioner | Assistant Commissioner | Superintendent | Assistant Superintendent | Deputy Assistant Superintendent
Epaulette Insignia  |  |  |  |  |  |
Rank  | Chief Inspector | Inspector | Cadet Officer | Sergeant | Corporal | Constable
Epaulette Insignia  |  |  |  |  |  |

## Small arms

[edit]

Name  | Origin  | Type  | Variant  | Notes

|
|
|
|

Glock 17[40] | Austria | Semi-automatic pistol |  |
FN P90[41] | Belgium | Personal defense weapon |  |
M16[42] | United States | Assault rifle | M16A2 |
SIG SG 550[43] | Switzerland | Assault rifle |  |
Heckler & Koch G36[43] | Germany | Assault rifle |  |
Heckler & Koch MP5[43] | Germany | Submachine gun |  |
FN FAL[44][45] | Belgium | Battle rifle |  |
FN MAG[43] | Belgium | Machine gun |  |
FN SCAR[46] | Belgium | Assault rifle | SCAR-L |
CZ Scorpion Evo 3[47] | Czech Republic | Carbine |  |

## See also

[edit]

* GRSE Mauritius offshore patrol vessel
* Mandovi Marine (15 meter)-class patrol craft
* Praga-class patrol boat

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "15.1 Mauritius Police Force - Part I Civil Service - 2013 PRB Report" (PDF). Pay Research Bureau. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
2. ^ "Le CP Rampersad Sooroojebally : « Déterminé à élever la police à un haut niveau de professionnalisme » 24-Nov-2024". LeMauricien. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
3. ^ "Overview of the Mauritius Police Force (MPF)". Mauritius Police Force. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
4. ^ "ADSU Mauritius Police Force". Government of Mauritius. Retrieved 2021-07-16.
5. ^ "Bike Patrol Unit".
6. ^ "Le démantèlement de l'Anti Robbery Squad pas à écarter". L'Express. Retrieved 2020-07-09.
7. ^ "Force policière : L'Anti Robbery Squad démantelée". Defimedia. Retrieved 2020-07-31.
8. ^ Moris, E. "Plus d'Anti Robbery Squad à Maurice". Zinfos. Retrieved 2020-07-31.
9. ^ "National Coast Guard". Mauritius Police Force. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
10. ^ "Maritime Security - Induction of ten Fast Interceptor Boats". Prime Minister's Office (Press release). 11 March 2016. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
11. ^ a b "Commissioning Ceremony of CGS Victory and 2 Chetak Helicopters". Prime Minister's Office. 12 December 2016. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
12. ^ "Mauritius Police Force acquires new patrol vessel CGS Valiant". Government of Mauritius (Press release). 17 August 2017. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
13. ^ a b c "Maritime Air Squadron of the NCG celebrates 28th anniversary" (PDF). Government of Mauritius (Press release). July 2018. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
14. ^ Mader, Georg (3 October 2018). "Mauritius arms Do-228 MPAs with gun pods". Jane's Weekly. Archived from the original on 3 October 2018.
15. ^ Ramessur-Bhoyroo, Preity (3 July 2016). "Garde-côtière: nos soldats des eaux". Defimedia.info (in French). Retrieved 8 March 2020.
16. ^ Tuyau, Julien (3 June 2010). "La National Coast Guard crée un commando pour lutter contre la piraterie". L'Express (in French). Retrieved 8 March 2020.
17. ^ "Annual National Coast Guard Commando refresher training by Indian Marine Commando". Indian Navy (Press release). 24 October 2015. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
18. ^ a b "FAZSOI: Premier exercice bilatéral entre les FAZSOI et les forces de sécurité mauriciennes". Ministry of Armed Forces (Press release) (in French). 28 November 2019. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
19. ^ a b IISS Military Balance 2007
20. ^ a b IISS Military Balance 2010
21. ^ a b World Aircraft Information Files; Brightstar Publishing; File 331, Sheet 4
22. ^ a b "World Air Forces 2004" pg. 74" (PDF). Flightglobal Insight. 2015. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 17 May 2015.
23. ^ "Dimanche 11 Juin 1978 : L'enquête judiciaire sur l'incendie du Mauricien". Le Mauricien. Retrieved 2018-06-11.
24. ^ "Mauritius Police Force". Government of Mauritius. Retrieved 2021-07-16.
25. ^ a b c d e "Police Helicopter Squadron celebrates its 44th anniversary". Government of Mauritius (Press release). 13 September 2018. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
26. ^ "Helicopter Squadron". Mauritius Police Force. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
27. ^ Koch, Valerie (24 November 2016). "A Dhruv on Réunion Island". Vertical Magazine. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
28. ^ "Supply of 'DHRUV' Advanced Light Helicopter from India to Mauritius". High Commission of Port Louis, Mauritius. 9 September 2009. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
29. ^ "HAL hands over advanced light helicopter to Mauritius police". The Hindu. 2023-02-10. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
30. ^ Wakankar, Nitin D (16 December 2016). "Defence Minister Mr Manohar Parrikar Visits Mauritius". Sainik Samachar. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
31. ^ "Supply of 'DHRUV' Advanced Light Helicopter". indiahighcom. Archived from the original on 11 May 2015. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
32. ^ a b c d "Special Mobile Force". Mauritius Police Force. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
33. ^ "Military Garrison". UK Parliament Hansard. House of Commons. 7 July 1959. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
34. ^ Vencatareddy-Nursingen, Selvanee (28 May 2016). "GIPM: au cœur de l'exercice de recrutement". L'Express (in French). Retrieved 8 March 2020.
35. ^ "Les policiers d'élite mauriciens formés par le GIGN". Clicanoo (in French). 26 November 2016. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
36. ^ a b "Special Supporting Unit". Mauritius Police Force. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
37. ^ "The Mauritius Police Force - Police Band". police.govmu.org. Retrieved 2020-06-02.
38. ^ Chit Geerjanand Dukhira (1992). Mauritius and local government management. All India Institute of Local Self-Government. p. 43\. ISBN 9788185473024.
39. ^ "Mauritius – nationalanthems.info". www.nationalanthems.info. Retrieved 2020-07-31.
40. ^ Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.
41. ^ Soobye, Ali (March 12, 2006). "Mauritius police forces parade". AFP / Getty Images. Archived from the original on August 7, 2011. Retrieved September 9, 2010.
42. ^ "Sauvetage au combat de niveau 1 [SC1] à l'île Maurice" (in French). Forces Armées de la Zone Sud de l'Océan Indien. 12 December 2012. Archived from the original on 22 September 2013. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
43. ^ a b c d Gander, Terry J.; Hogg, Ian V. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 21 edition (May 2009). ISBN 978-0-7106-1241-0.
44. ^ "Mauritius Police Force - Nomination de 248 caporaux et 38 sous-Inspecteurs - Mauritius Ile Maurice KotZot". Archived from the original on 2013-10-19. Retrieved 2013-10-18.
45. ^ Patrick Laverdant. "mauritian_bw198.jpg - Patrick Laverdant". Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
46. ^ "Sainte-Croix : un membre des forces spéciales présent pour assurer la sécurité du pape François | Defimedia". Defimedia.info. 2019-09-13. Archived from the original on 2019-09-13. Retrieved 2019-09-13.
47. ^ "49 policiers suivent des cours de Commando et de perfectionnement en plongée". Channel News (in French). 2022-11-25. Archived from the original on 2024-01-21. Retrieved 2024-01-21.

This article incorporates public domain material from The World Factbook (2025 ed.). CIA. (Archived 2003 edition.)

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[edit]

* Mauritius Police Force website
* Uniform Insignia Mauritius Police Force

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