Special Mobile Force
Encyclopedia
The Special Mobile Force is a paramilitary
unit that serves as the main internal security force in Mauritius
. As Mauritius has no dedicated military
, mainly due to the cost that it would incur, the SMF forms part of the Mauritius Police Force
, with its personnel on long term rotation from the police force.
garrison on Mauritius in 1960. The primary task of the SMF when it was formed was to ensure the internal security of the country. As formed, the SMF was made up of members of the local police force and Mauritian veterans of the Second World War.
consisting of approximately 1,500 men. The majority of these form five motorised infantry
companies. 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. Some members of the SMF undergo commando training or "specialist" training, dependent on their skills. Although the primary role of the SMF is the internal and external security of Mauritius, it is also used in various other roles such as cleaning the roads after cyclones in the summer period.
. Within the wreath are the letters S and F, with a lightning flash
between 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 was The Difficult We Do Immediately. The Impossible Takes A Little Longer. This was then changed to the current motto We'll Do It. What Is It.
Paramilitary
A paramilitary is a force whose function and organization are similar to those of a professional military, but which is not considered part of a state's formal armed forces....
unit that serves as the main internal security force in Mauritius
Mauritius
Mauritius , officially the Republic of Mauritius is an island nation off the southeast coast of the African continent in the southwest Indian Ocean, about east of Madagascar...
. As Mauritius has no dedicated military
Military
A military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. The military may have additional functions of use to its greater society, such as advancing a political agenda e.g...
, mainly due to the cost that it would incur, the SMF forms part of the Mauritius Police Force
Mauritius Police Force
The Mauritius Police Force is the national law enforcement agency of Mauritius. The MPF carries out police, security and military functions on the island nation, with over 10,000 active-duty personnel under the command of the Commissioner of Police....
, with its personnel on long term rotation from the police force.
History
The SMF was formed following the withdrawal of the BritishUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
garrison on Mauritius in 1960. The primary task of the SMF when it was formed was to ensure the internal security of the country. As formed, the SMF was made up of members of the local police force and Mauritian veterans of the Second World War.
Organisation
The SMF is formed as a battlegroupBattlegroup (army)
A battlegroup , or task force in modern military theory, is the basic building block of an army's fighting force. A battlegroup is formed around an infantry battalion or armoured regiment, which is usually commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel...
consisting of approximately 1,500 men. The majority of these form five motorised infantry
Motorised infantry
In NATO and most other western countries, motorised infantry is infantry which is transported by trucks or other motor vehicles. It is distinguished from mechanized infantry, which is carried in armoured personnel carriers, infantry combat vehicles, or infantry fighting vehicles...
companies. 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. Some members of the SMF undergo commando training or "specialist" training, dependent on their skills. Although the primary role of the SMF is the internal and external security of Mauritius, it is also used in various other roles such as cleaning the roads after cyclones in the summer period.
Badge and motto
The badge of the SMF is made up of a wreath of oak leaves surmounted by the national coat of armsCoat of arms of Mauritius
The coat of arms of Mauritius are stipulated in the "Mauritius Laws 1990 Vol.2 SCHEDULE ". The arms were designed by the Lord Mayor of Johannesburg in 1906, Johann Van Der Puf...
. Within the wreath are the letters S and F, with a lightning flash
Lightning
Lightning is an atmospheric electrostatic discharge accompanied by thunder, which typically occurs during thunderstorms, and sometimes during volcanic eruptions or dust storms...
between 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 was The Difficult We Do Immediately. The Impossible Takes A Little Longer. This was then changed to the current motto We'll Do It. What Is It.
External links
- Official website (not viewable in Firefox)