The Ministry of Financial Services and Good Governance, in collaboration with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH had organized a five day onsite mentoring on 7th to 11th December 2020 for the Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs). The aim was to support the LEAs in the implementation of the recommended actions in the Mauritius Mutual Evaluation Report 2018 and the FATF Action Plan.

The GIZ has engaged the Optima Group to provide trainings and onsite mentoring to the LEAs as a part of the implementation of a global programme Combating Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs). The global programme’s overall objective is to strengthen the systems for an inter-sectorial fight against IFFs on national, regional, and international level.

Two experts from the Optima Group were in Mauritius in August 2020 for a period of 2 weeks at the Sugar Beach Mauritius Hotel to deliver the first round of training to 60 officers of the aforesaid agencies. The aim of the training was to encourage and develop inter-agency cooperation among relevant law enforcement agencies working on the investigation, prosecution and recovery of proceeds of crimes.

Developing the Law Enforcement Agencies’ knowledge and skills

The Optima Group with the assistance of its expert ,Mr Alex Ferguson has provided this onsite mentoring to the LEAs. The Law Enforcement Agencies who participated in this onsite mentoring are listed below:

• Asset Recovery Investigation Division (ARID);
• Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC);
• Integrity Reporting Services Agency (IRSA);
• The Anti-Drugs and Smuggling Unit (ADSU);
• The Police AML/CFT Unit (CCID);
• Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) and the Customs Department;
• The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).

During the month of October 2020, Mr. Alex Ferguson had been conducting weekly virtual mentoring sessions with the aim of developing the knowledge and skills of the delegates. On the job-training was provided to the participants so as to enable the Optima expert to observe their working practices and to provide overall advice when dealing with real live cases. In addition, the GIZ and Optima have been working in close collaboration to make sure that a tailored approach is adopted in the onsite mentoring.

The aim of this mentoring was to ensure:

• Complements training delivered in August 2020;
• Allows for continuing education through onsite work;
• Complements the existing virtual mentoring;
• Equips the nominated champions in developing their own skills set; and
• Encourages joint work and inter agency approach.

This training programme and onsite mentoring have helped the participants to develop their knowledge and skills. It has also developed an inter-agency cooperation among the relevant law enforcement agencies working on the investigation, prosecution and recovery of proceeds of crimes.