A police officer with over 25 years of service in Mauritius is contesting her transfer to a new post, which she claims was done without justification or prior reprimand. On October 22, at 9 PM, she received a phone call informing her of the transfer to a different police station, where she would be assigned to shift duty. She expressed shock and questioned the true motives behind the decision, which she believes is unjustified and damaging to her professional reputation.
Following the announcement, the officer sought explanations from her hierarchy, but was provided with several reasons for the transfer. These included an anonymous letter containing accusations against her and other police officers, which she claims she herself requested to be investigated by the Central Criminal Investigation Department (CCID). However, no investigation was conducted. She was also informed that there were several complaints against her, but their nature was not specified.
The officer disputes all the accusations, calling them false and an attempt to tarnish her reputation. One of the complaints concerned her absence at a private school during PSAC exams, but she claims a colleague was already present and an altercation occurred between the colleague and school management. Despite this, her name, not her colleague's, was mentioned in the report. She also denies not responding to Parliamentary Questions (PQ) on October 22, stating she submitted her answers by 4 PM.
The officer had decided to stay at the office to prepare PQ responses and assigned a colleague to submit her report to the audit personnel. However, her superior claimed she failed to present herself to hand over the document, despite no complaints being filed by the audit personnel. The officer notes that transfers are a normal practice in the police force, but questions why some officers remain in the same unit for over 20 years.
The officer feels that her hierarchy has been unresponsive to her requests and that she is being unfairly targeted. She expressed concern about the timing of the transfer, which coincides with a difficult period for her family, as her children are taking exams and her father is ill. The officer is seeking a resolution to the situation and an explanation for her transfer.
Deputy Assistant Superintendent of Police (DASP) Suhail Lidialam, responsible for the Police Press and Public Relations Office (PPRO), stated that the police commissioner does not wish to comment on the matter, considering it an internal administrative issue. However, he noted that the officer can submit a written request to her hierarchy if she is dissatisfied with her transfer.
The officer's case highlights concerns about police transfers and allegations of unfair treatment in Mauritius. The incident raises questions about the transfer process and the handling of complaints within the police force. The officer's situation remains unresolved, with her seeking a response from her hierarchy and a clarification on the reasons behind her transfer.
Key points
- The police officer claims she was not given any prior justification for her transfer and disputes all the accusations made against her.
- The officer's transfer has been deemed unfair, and she is seeking a resolution to the situation.
- The incident raises concerns about police transfers and allegations of unfair treatment in Mauritius.
