Lily Romain: 'A VIPSU Officer Tried to Embrace Me' at Sodnac Police Station

Mauritian public figure Lily Romain has come forward with a personal account of alleged inappropriate behaviour by a member of the Very Important Persons Security Unit (VIPSU) at the Sodnac police station, located in the Quatre Bornes area of Mauritius. In her statement, Romain alleges that a VIPSU officer — a specialised unit within the Mauritius Police Force tasked with protecting high-profile individuals and dignitaries — attempted to embrace her while she was at the station. "A VIPSU officer wanted to take me in his arms," she said, according to reporting by Le Défi Media. Her account forms part of a wider set of allegations surrounding the Sodnac police station, which has reportedly come under scrutiny over claims that sexual relations took place on the premises. The full scope of those allegations, and whether any formal complaints or investigations have been launched, has not been confirmed in available reporting. **Who is Lily Romain?** Lily Romain is a known personality in Mauritian public life. Her decision to speak out publicly adds significant weight to the allegations and raises questions about conduct and oversight within the Mauritius Police Force. **What is the VIPSU?** The Very Important Persons Security Unit (VIPSU) is a dedicated branch of the Mauritius Police Force responsible for close protection of senior government officials, visiting heads of state, and other designated high-profile individuals. Officers assigned to this unit are expected to maintain especially high standards of professional conduct given the sensitive nature of their duties. **What this means** Allegations of misconduct at a police station — particularly involving a unit like the VIPSU — raise serious concerns about internal discipline and accountability within the Mauritius Police Force. If substantiated, such conduct could represent a breach of professional ethics and potentially criminal behaviour. It also puts pressure on police leadership and the relevant oversight bodies, including the Police Complaints Division (PCD) and the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), to investigate promptly and transparently. For ordinary Mauritians, incidents like this underscore the importance of robust mechanisms to report and investigate police misconduct without fear of reprisal. Anyone who believes they have been subject to inappropriate conduct by a police officer in Mauritius can file a complaint with the IPCC, which operates independently of the police hierarchy. As of the time of publication, no official police response or confirmation of a formal investigation has been reported. Source: Le Défi Media