Seychelles Police recognises and rewards its long-serving staff |28 December 2023

Group of employees with 20 years of service

The Seychelles Police has recognised and rewarded its long-serving employees in a special ceremony held yesterday morning at the Police Academy in Pointe Larue.

The 61 men and women who have completed 10, 20, and over 40 years of service from the regular police, the Public Order and Tactical Response Unit (P0TRU), the Sensitive Security and the police administration received their certificates and cash prizes for their dedication, devotion and hard work.

This was in the presence of the Minister for Internal Affairs, Errol Fonseka; Police Commissioner Ted Barbe; deputy Police Commissioner Francis Songoire; assistant Police Commissioner Ned Wirtz; assistant Police Commissioner Antoine Denousse; members of the Police Executive Board and senior and junior members of the force.

Rose-Marie Salomon, a civilian working in administration, is the longest-serving staff with 45 years of service. The 63-year-old joined the police in April 1978 as an office clerk and thereafter climbed into various positions to end up as an administrative officer to date.

She stated it was sheer perseverance that prompted her to remain with the police despite the many ups and downs.

“I am very happy to have reached this far and would like to thank God Almighty, because I would not have made it this far without Him,” said Mrs Salomon.

She also thanked the police for providing her with opportunities to succeed and her colleagues and family members for supporting and encouraging her.

“I would like to tell the youths who are in the force and those thinking of joining that life is not easy. They must persevere to serve for those many years.”

In his address, Police Commissioner Barbe highlighted the importance of recognising and congratulating colleagues for their contribution while they are still alive.

He explained the main objective of the ceremony was to reward the staff for their loyalty, dedication and hard work.

“Dear long service awardees, we do hope that you have also enjoyed and benefitted from your experience in the force, that you have taken advantage of the opportunities to advance your personal and professional goals while delivering your duties,” said the Police Commissioner.

He called on them to share their invaluable expertise, wisdom and capabilities to up and coming members of the forces so they too can make similar remarkable contributions in the future.

For his part, Minister Fonseka thanked the long service awardees for their contributions over the years and called on them to continue with the good work, and spread the police culture among other people.

In a vote of thanks, Inspector Natasha Derjacques, who clocked 10 years of service, pledged on behalf of her colleague awardees, to pursue with their hard work for the advancement of the police force, and the country.

She also thanked the force for its continued investment in their professional development.

The 50 staff with 10 years of service received R2000, while ten with 20 years received R4000. Mrs Salomon was the sole person with the longest years having clocked 45 years and she received R12000 as cash prize. The monetary awards for long-serving staff came into force in 2006.

Yesterday was also the first time that the staff of the Sensitive Security within the Seychelles Police Force were included in the police long service award. Nine with 10 years of service were rewarded. The security firm merged within the police force in 2009 following reforms in the country, which led to the privatisation of security services. The firm oversees the security of government buildings.

The accompanying photos show some highlights of the ceremony.

Text & photos by Patrick Joubert