VICTORIA, Seychelles (CHATNEWSTV) — A three-year UK-Seychelles police modernisation initiative concluded Thursday with a ceremony at Eden Bleu, marking the culmination of an effort to enhance law enforcement capabilities in Seychelles.
Launched in 2021, the programme was led by three former senior members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland—Former Chief Constable Sir George Hamilton, Former Head of Counter Corruption Philip Knox, and Former Detective Chief Superintendent Raymond Murray. The initiative focused on leadership development, strategic planning, and operational efficiency within the Seychelles Police Force.
British High Commissioner Jeffrey Glekin hailed the programme as a key step toward modernizing Seychelles’ law enforcement, emphasizing that “transformative change requires courage, commitment, and time.” He noted that the Strategic Review conducted during the programme provided police officials with “new thinking skills and higher levels of professionalism.”
“Policing is not just about crime prevention,” Glekin said. “It’s about stability and the kind of society we want for future generations.”
Seychelles’ Minister for Foreign Affairs, Errol Fonseka, praised the UK-Seychelles partnership for strengthening key areas such as cybersecurity and border control. He stressed the importance of equipping law enforcement with the necessary skills to combat evolving threats.
“Law and order today requires that we not only tackle criminality directly, but also monitor its determinants and structure our responses in a multifaceted, well-coordinated manner,” Fonseka said.
Police Commissioner Ted Barbe credited the initiative with reshaping the force’s strategic direction, particularly following the Strategic Review conducted in June 2022. He described the police as “agents of transformation” working toward “enhanced safety, improved quality of life, and greater community cohesion.”
Superintendent Jemmy Bouzin outlined key achievements, including enhanced governance structures, improved recruitment processes, pilot community policing projects, and strengthened multi-agency collaboration—especially in child protection.
The UK-Seychelles Modernisation Partnership Programme, officials said, has laid the foundation for a more professional and responsive police force, ensuring long-term benefits for the security and stability of Seychelles.
