It is in the interest of the entire nation to equip the police with adequate resources: President

The National College of Policing and Law Enforcement will play an important role in the development of the Maldives Police Service, stated President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

President Solih made the remark at the inauguration ceremony of the National College of Policing and Law Enforcement in Addu City on Sunday morning.

In his remarks, President Solih stated that establishing police presence on all inhabited islands is a key pledge of his administration. And he emphasized that police should work closely with the community to ensure peace and harmony is sustained .

President Solih said that the purpose of the police should be to work with, and alongside the community to resolve issues and that a community-oriented police service could only be provided by training police officers on these principles. Hence , the President stated that it is in the interest of the entire nation to equip the police with adequate resources.

The President had earlier pledged to prioritize professional police trainings and to provide the latest technologies and resources in these trainings. In this regard, the National College of Policing and Law Enforcement is a facility fully equipped with the latest technology and resources. The training programs conducted at the facility would adhere to democratic norms and international best practices.

In his remarks, the President extended gratitude to the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the government and the people of the Republic of India for the generous assistance provided to the Maldives throughout the years. As such, he stated that the presence of the Indian External Affairs Minister at the ceremony demonstrated the close bilateral relations between the two nations.

President Solih recalled how discussions for the development of the National College of Policing and Law Enforcement officially commenced in 2009, noting that the project was signed off for development by the previous government in 2014. He then stated that construction work began in 2017 once the planning phases were completed. President Solih went on to thank the previous administrations for their role in making the project a reality.

Moreover, the President stated that India's assistance to the Maldives had always been directed towards the development of the country. He stated that the close bilateral relations between the two nations were demonstrated through the numerous projects undertaken through grant or loan assistance from India.

Reiterating how India's precedence in the India-Maldives friendship had been a driving force in the advancement of the Maldivian people, the President noted how India had continued to offer unwavering assistance regardless of who was in power at the moment.