The government is to expand the services of Maldives Police Service (MPS) across 25 more islands throughout 2022.

This was announced by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih during a special function held to commemorate the 89th anniversary of the police institution on Tuesday evening.

As such, taking the podium at the ceremony, the President revealed that the government has drawn up contracts to construct police stations in 61 islands throughout 2022.

Highlighting that a police presence will be established on all inhabited islands in the country by 2023 in a groundbreaking initiative to ensure the safety and security of the Maldives, the President stated that improving the standard of police service was a critical task entrusted to this government by the people.

With this being said, President Solih shed light on the numerous strides made in police reform, over the last three years.

Going on to note the efforts to expand neighborhood police to all islands, the President said that professional development programs have been launched on all the islands where a police presence has been established.

With the National College of Policing and Law Enforcement being established in southernmost Addu City recently, the President said that this was a result of the hard work and determination of successive governments to improve police services in the Maldives.

Recognizing that the college is a token of good will by the government of India, the President affirmed that the government is committed to further enhancing the capacity of the police institution.

He also assured that the institution will be provided with the necessary human resources, and training technologies required to elevate their standard.

In his address, the President also shed light on the connection between drug networks and organized crime being one of the biggest challenges to the peace of the country, adding that it was a matter of great concern to the people as well.

With this being said, he announced that special task forces are being formed to oversee the major task and that positive changes will be visible, in the near future.

The event also saw the President urging the police and their families to make the best use of the upcoming fasting month of Ramadan 1443.

President Solih awarded medals to recipients and launched a mobile phone application developed by the police institution during Tuesday’s reception.

First Lady Fazna Ahmed accompanied the President at the reception.