The office of the Commissioner of Police would like to refer to the issue of 12th September, 2014 , of the ‘L’express’ daily that focuses on a specific arriving passenger deliberately being the target of Police search operation pursuant to instructions allegedly emanating from higher quarters. Furthermore, motives have been imputed to the Hon. Prime Minister. This office wishes to inform the public that the article constitutes a dangerous distortion of facts prejudicial to vital police security operations in high risk areas.

In fact, in relation to the 13th anniversary of the 9/11 Twin Tower incident in the USA, and in the aftermath of the death of a prominent member of Al-Shabaah movement, this office had received alerts about potential security threats to the interest of certain countries represented in Mauritius.

In that context, on 5th September, 2014, the Commissioner of Police personally instructed police agencies inter-alia, Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit (ADSU), Passport and Immigration Office and Airport Police on duty at the airport and the Harbour and, through their Supervising Officers, to non-police agencies also operating at both these entry points, to carry out security checks.

Moreover, Divisional Police in Central Division and Metropolitan Division (South) were also briefed accordingly. A co-ordination meeting with Air Mauritius and AML Security Officers was also held on the 8th September 2014. It must be stressed that contrary to what is stated, the passenger named in the article was not singled out in the exercise. He was but one amongst a number of other passengers, including prominent figures, who were subjected to the same procedures.

This office deplores the fact that the preventive measures that the authorities have put in place have been deliberately distorted as part of a campaign to discredit the Police. The identification of a specific passenger as having been the precise target of Police security measures may jeopardise the internal security objectives of the search exercises.

Furthermore, there has never been any reluctance on the part of Police officers on duty at the Airport and Port in the proper discharge of their duties whenever required. It is regretted that the author of the article has again referred to postings to Agalega as a punishment inflicted on Police officers.

This is an abject distortion of facts as personnel posted there are selected from a host of volunteers who are always willing to serve and even offer themselves for a second or third tour of duty there. This Office would also like to point out that this ongoing preventive security exercise is being carried out fairly and transparently in relation to actual assessment of the level of threat following reliable intelligence information.

Such irresponsible distortion of facts and trivialisation of measures being taken amount to a reckless indifference of national security interests.

The Police hope that it will not, again, be forced, by further allegations by the author of the article, to publicly comment on certain security matters that are normally shielded from public debate in the interest of national security.

Office of the Commissioner of Police Line Barracks, Port Louis
12th September 2014