In the wake of the growing incidence of violence in the country, Vice-President James Michel has said steps are being taken to better equip and train the police force so as to counter this scourge.

Describing cases where people have lost their lives on account of violence as sad and worrying, VP Michel said in an interview with the media on Thursday September 11,  that the government was concerned and was taking this matter very seriously.

"We need to address these problems immediately and also find out what is causing people to become violent, because our people have a right to live in peace and security," he said.

Acknowledging that the police were not well equipped to fight against crimes effectively, VP Michel said more transport and technological facilities for information gathering and forensic analysis were being brought in as part of measures to modernise the police force.

The Vice-President however pointed out that technical equipment and professional training alone would not render the police force more efficient and credible if the officers themselves were not determined, competent, responsible and on alert at all times to prevent and detect crimes and protect the population.

"We also need to see a change in the attitude of our senior officers," the Vice-President said.

While the behaviour of some police officers were commendable, he said, others tended to adopt a laissez-faire attitude, which would have to change when the police force is restructured.

While measures being undertaken under the Macro-Economic Reform Programme (Merp) to reduce capital expenditure could have an impact on the police budget and performance, the Vice-President said that for the security of its nation the government would spare no effort in seeking for resources to enable it to re-organise the police force.

The Vice-President also spoke about the need to re-look at the judiciary system to render it more efficient in bringing criminals to justice in a speedier manner.

He noted that in certain cases people accused of committing crimes were brought before the court then released on bail, and while their case dragged on, they continue to terrorise the population.

VP Michel said that for people to have confidence in the judiciary system, certain mechanisms needed to be revised to ensure that serious cases were dealt with urgently and criminals were removed from society as soon as possible.

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