Frustration Among Police Officers as Promotion Delays Persist

This Saturday morning, October 5, a grand ceremony is set to take place at the Côte-d’Or Stadium, where 1,512 officers with 20 years of service will receive confirmation in their promotions to the rank of sergeant. While many will celebrate this milestone, 217 officers promoted to sergeant in March 2024 find themselves in a state of frustration and uncertainty.

In a recent article titled “Police Exams: Constables Speak Out,” we highlighted the concerns of these officers.

After receiving their promotion letters in March 2024, they anticipated being confirmed on October 5.

The letters stated: “Your promotion will take effect as from the date of assumption of duty and, in the first instance, will be a temporary capacity for a period of six months, at the end of which, if you are favourably reported upon, consideration will be given for your promotion as Police Sergeant in a substantive capacity.”

However, they were recently informed that their confirmation would not occur until March 2025.

“We worked hard, took exams, and earned this title, yet we are being sidelined,” one frustrated officer remarked.

Their colleagues who are being confirmed echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that they should not be penalized when the promotion process has been clearly outlined in the correspondence from the Office of the Commissioner of Police.

When they inquired about the delay, their superiors explained that there was a mistake in the promotion letter — the confirmation period should have been set for a year, not six months.

This miscommunication now threatens the officers with a six-month loss of pay at the sergeant level. “This feels like a cruel twist of fate,” they expressed.

Additionally, should these officers wish to participate in the upcoming examinations to be promoted to the rank of inspector, they now face a longer wait.

Instead of taking the exam in 2027, they will need to delay for another year, as they can only sit for another examination three years after their promotion is confirmed.

A l’Express source from the Central Barracks clarified that today’s promoted officers have each completed 20 years of service.

“1,512 officers will be elevated to the rank of sergeant,” the source stated, referring to a previous announcement made by Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth during a Passing Out Parade held at Gymkhana Grounds in Vacoas.

The situation is further complicated by the confirmation of a former member of the Very Important Persons Security Unit (VIPSU) as an inspector despite having committed an offense.

This has sparked outrage among many police officers, who argue that this individual had been charged with assaulting a police officer in April 2024 while on probation for another issue.

Nonetheless, this officer is set to receive confirmation today, October 5, despite his troubled record and a prior transfer from VIPSU to the Special Support Unit Training Wing.

The incident that brought this controversy to light occurred on April 6, 2024. A sergeant from the Division Supporting Unit (DSU) called for backup when a motorist refused to accept a traffic citation in Curepipe.

The motorist’s father soon arrived, identifying himself as a VIPSU inspector, and attempted to intimidate the sergeant by saying, “You’re a sergeant; you can’t issue this fine. You’re wasting your time.”

Even after being informed by the two officers that his behavior constituted “molesting a police officer,” the man continued to insult them.

As the ceremony unfolds, the feelings of disappointment and injustice linger among the 217 officers who feel overlooked in what should have been a day of celebration for all.

Source: l’Express