Special Mobile Force

TheSpecial Mobile Force(French:Force Mobile Spéciale) is aparamilitaryunit ofMauritiusthat ensures the country's internal and external security.As Mauritius has no dedicatedmilitary,the SMF forms part of theMauritius Police Force,with its personnel on long-term rotation from the police force.

Special Mobile Force
Active	1960
Country	Mauritius
Agency	Mauritius Police Force
Role	National security,disaster relief
Headquarters	Vacoas
Abbreviation	SMF

History

The SMF was formed following the withdrawal of theBritishgarrison on Mauritius, mainly detachments of theKing's African Rifles,in 1960.The primary task of the SMF when it was formed was to ensure the internal and external security of the country.As formed, the SMF's initial makeup was made up of members of the local police force and Mauritian veterans ofWorld War II.

British military officers led the unit, but it was not until 1978 when Colonel D. Bhima BEM MPM was appointed as the first SMF commanding officer of Mauritian origin.

In 2013, it was reported to have a manpower of 1,400 officers.

Organisation

The SMF is formed as abattlegroupconsisting of approximately 1,500 men led by a Commanding Officer. The majority of these men form sixmotorised infantrycompanies.In addition, there are two squadrons equipped with armoured vehicles and an engineering squadron.Although the SMF is not a military unit, it is organised along military lines, with training based on basic military doctrine.

The SMF commands theGroupe Intervention de la Police Mauricien(GIPM) (English:Mauritian Police Intervention Group),the SMF's special forces unit.

Although the primary role of the SMF is the internal and external security of Mauritius, it is also used in several other roles such as ceremonial guards of honour, search and rescue operations, bomb disposal, debris clearance and opening of roads after cyclones and other emergencies.

Badge and motto

The badge of the SMF is made up of a wreath of oak leaves surmounted by the nationalcoat of arms.Within the wreath are the lettersSandF,with alightning flashbetween them, to symbolise the letters "SMF". Beneath the wreath is a scroll with the name "Special Mobile Force Mauritius".

The first motto of the SMF wasThe Difficult We Do Immediately. The Impossible Takes A Little Longer.This was then changed to the current mottoWe'll Do It. What Is It.

Alliances

• United Kingdom–The Rifles

External links

• "Special Mobile Force".Republic of Mauritius.Archived fromthe originalon 25 March 2010.