Maldives Police Service (MPS) needs to be changed to an institution that provides progressed police services for the entire country, states the Commissioner of Police, Mohamed Hameed.

The commissioner made the statement at the ceremony held to commemorate planting the foundation for the police station being established in N. Manadhoo.

Further, he added that an award is to be given for police stations in islands and districts who establish connections with citizens while providing exemplary services in the following year. This is in line with the role of the police as stated in the Police Service Act. Progress is also being made on the framework regarding the cooperation with councils and other entities which need to be done by September 27th said the CP.

Furthermore, the commissioner pointed out the expansion of the services being given to the atoll. Noonu atoll’s flourishing tourism industry, owing to the new international airport and numerous tourist resorts, is home to workers and businessmen along with tourists. Emphasizing this point, the CP spoke of the diversification of services to cater to the atoll.

The foundation is one that unites the atoll’s economic and social efforts with the required protective services from the police according to the CP.

The establishment of police officers in order to save the communities of the atoll from crime and fear of crime is crucial, he said.

With the new police station, the police commissioner stated that it will be easier to protect the citizens and their property. With the new act in place since March, the hierarchy and role of the Police is detailed properly to give decentralized services and to maintain the connection with the community, he added.

Therefore, reorganizing the services provided to be in line with the democratic society being the aim, improved services needed to be provided to the entire country, the CP stated. The purpose of the local policing goal, out of six goals highlighted in the strategic plan is to prioritize the services given in atolls.

The CP said that the revolutionary changes brought to policing, is the introduction to neighborhood police, which will soon be started in Noonu atoll as well.