‘Transfers in the Police Force is totally normal’ – ComPol |15 July 2023

Commissioner Barbe

Recently there were some ‘kankan’ or concerns over the transfers of police officers within the Seychelles Police. Although the list has not been made public yet, the Commissioner of Police, Ted Barbe, spoke about the transfers.

“Transfers in the Seychelles Police are normal and are done strategically. We have to look at the needs of our sections/departments within our force and see if there is a need to move or not. An example is when you see a weakness in a section in terms of leadership etc. There are transfers also which come with sensitivity. The transfers within the force should not be shocking to the public.”

Commissioner Barbe also shared that these transfers have taught them a few lessons. When someone is transferred to Praslin/La Digue he was getting an allowance and a house and these perks did not apply for those moving from Praslin/La Digue to Mahé.

“Now we have decided they will get at least housing when they move to Mahé. Another important factor is that as soon as you join the Force, you are informed that you will be rotated unless you are in a specialist field,” clarified Commissioner Barbe.

These transfers involve constables to superintendents and once they are all settled, the list will be made public.

On another note, regarding tampering and stealing from cars, Commissioner Barbe shared that many of these crimes are “opportunist crimes”.

“Sometimes people do not lock their transport and those watching will tamper and steal. The police will have to intensify its patrols both on foot and by car. When looking at the trends, we will know where these kinds of crimes are happening and the Seychelles Police will take serious actions. We will up our preventive patrols.”

Vidya Gappy