INTRODUCTION

TCIL successfully completed consultancy services of an IP for COTS for Mauritius Police Force (MPF) project in Mauritius, first of its kind, on 12th September 2005.

The purpose of this project was to examine the current flow of activities of the MPF and to investigate the areas linked to Crime Occurrence Tracking that will benefit from computerisation. The IP was aimed at streamlining processes and recommending appropriate Information & Communication Technologies (ICT) solutions in terms of suitable hardware as well as application, system software and communication facilities for a more effective and efficient tracking of crime occurrences in the country.

The study addressed the computerisation of the core functionalities of MPF, especially those that are crime related. The working interface between the MPF and other public sector bodies (Judiciary, National Transport Authority, Prime Minister’s Office, and others) and cross-departmental databases (such as the Central Population Database) in terms of the similarity of information handled was also taken into account while developing the information plan. The study covered interactions/ meetings with MPF officers at Police Stations, Divisional Headquarters and Police Headquarter.

 The scope of the study was as follows:

1. Identifying information needs (both internal and external) for the Customer.
2. Study of existing procedures/ processes, legal and institutional frameworks and make recommendations for subsequent review.
3. A full assessment and evaluation of existing Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) infrastructure for the MPF.
4. Propose alternative solutions and their feasibility (including cost-benefit analysis) for the proposed computerisation
5. Provide time frames for the implementation of the computerisation plan.
6. Propose means for linking of different sites required through a high capacity and secure network.
7. Propose hardware and system software as well as application software to meet the requirements of the Customer.
8. Make recommendations on the security aspect of the proposed system.
9. Benchmark the proposed system with other organisations having a similar system
10. Work out human resource development programmes including training needs analysis, training of different category of staff and post training evaluation.
11. Recommend how the Crime Occurrence Tracking System will be linked to the systems in the Judiciary and the Prisons Department to form an Integrated Justice Information System (IJIS).

 The main objectives, which were to be addressed, were as follows:

        1.       Computerisation of Occurrence Book & Master Registers
2.      Tracking of movement of case file/ dossier
3.      Generation of Statistical Information
4.      Maintain confidentiality and provide accessibility of information to authorised officers.

 TCIL has completed the project within scheduled time of 12 weeks.