Police in field to begin using body cameras this ongoing month

Officers of the Maldives Police Service (MPS) working in the field are to begin using body cameras this ongoing month.

This was announced during the presidential address, delivered by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih during the inaugural sitting of the People’s Majlis on Thursday morning.

As such, noting that a modern policing philosophy is currently in place in a bid to further strengthen the police institution and hold it accountable, the president announced that on-field officers will begin the use of body cameras through February 2022.

Highlighting that his highest duty is to protect the independence and sovereignty of the Maldives and provide a peaceful and safe environment for the Maldivian people as head of state, the president stressed that officers of the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) and MPS have sacrificed their “lives”, “sleep”, and “comfort” to ensure a “peaceful” and “safe” environment for the people.

In this regard, the country’s Head of State revealed that MNDF is the “defensive shield” of Maldives who are currently completing various training programmes in different countries by utilizing the opportunities provided by allies and neighbors of the Maldives.

MNDF conducted multiple operations in the past year, using Dornier aircrafts, helicopters, and the Coastguard’s vessels as well as sea ambulances, said the president, who added that the Coastguard has also provided emergency assistance to a total of 531 people in 364 incidents at sea and transported 2,199 emergency patients without a second thought due to threatening weather conditions.

President Solih stated that MNDF will remain “steadfast” in defending the country and religion.

President Solih went on to reveal that the Neighborhood Policing Model has been officially launched in four cities and in Huvadhu Atoll and Ari Atoll as well, in a bid to increase the role of police in maintaining the peace and security of the society.

The government remains hopeful to launch the service in Kaafu and Thaa atolls this ongoing year.

Stressing that investigations and probes conducted by the police institution are required to be more modern and complete than they are now, the president announced the decision to provide additional police officers and training and facilities as needed, to achieve this goal and expand the police service.

He stated that the government’s aim is to increase public confidence in the police institute and that they have always worked resiliently to safeguard the property and lives of Maldivians.