Speeches

Remarks by Ambassador Cesar B. Cabrera at the Graduation Ceremony of the Cyber Identification and Seizure of Digital Evidence Course, Sponsored by the US Department of State, Office of Anti-Terrorism Assistance (ATA)

September 23, 2008
La Plantation Hotel, Balaclava

Deputy Police Commissioner Bruneau, ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning. We are here today to celebrate the achievement of twenty Mauritian security officials who have successfully completed training in identifying, collecting, and securing evidence from a crime scene, with an emphasis on electronic evidence, which is so important in the modern age.  The government of the United States, through the U.S. Embassy, is pleased to share this critical training with Mauritius.
 
Crime affects everyone.  It may not directly touch us or the people we love, although usually we know someone who has been affected by crime.  But even if we don’t know anyone directly affected, crime affects our society.  A pattern of unsolved crimes can lead to lower confidence among community members, a poor business climate, fewer investors, fewer visitors and tourists.  Just about everyone suffers.

The best thing, of course, is to prevent crimes before they happen: through a healthy society under the rule of law.  That is the ideal.  When crime can’t be prevented, however, the next best thing is a healthy justice system, under the rule of law, with well-trained officials who can identify important evidence and use it to solve crimes. 

It isn’t enough to solve crimes, however: the evidence has to be carefully preserved so that it can convince the decision-makers in a court that the evidence has been impartially handled and is clearly linked to the criminals.  The free and fair press that covers these actions must also be convinced.  Only when these crucial steps are taken can a whole society understand and accept that justice has been done, the criminals held accountable, and public safety restored.

The course, on the subject of Identification and Seizure of Digital Evidence, focused on possible terrorist crime.  However, the training should help Mauritian security officials with identifying, collecting, and securing evidence from any crime scene, something that should help all Mauritians feel a little more safe — and should also help keep Mauritius the great place it is for investment and tourism.

As is usual, our U.S. trainers found their Mauritian counterparts to be well-grounded in the fundamentals, and highly motivated learners. 

Once again, through this course, we see the partnership between the people of the United States and the people of.  I am proud of the course participants whose new skills will be used in the service of the people of Mauritius and I am pleased the United States could help.

To our instructors, we thank you for your dedication and support. To all our participants, congratulations and well done!