The Maldives Police Service (MPS) underwent significant development throughout the past few years of the incumbent administration, says President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

The Maldivian leader said this in his speech at the grand celebration held at the Hulhumalé Synthetic Track to commemorate the 90th Anniversary of MPS on Saturday evening.

As such, taking the podium at the ceremony, President Solih stated that the current administration has spearheaded significant improvements to policing over the past four years.

Shedding light on the remarkable progress and improvements that the police institution has undergone, the president noted the separation from the military and its establishment as a civil service.

President Solih stated that as the police service grows and adapts to societal changes and changing mindsets, improving the quality of police services should always be a top government priority.

Highlighting the need for the police institution to expand and adjust to modern society, the president said that the aim is to ensure necessary education and training for every member of the police force in their relevant fields.

In his speech the president also urged the MPS to remain vigilant against criminal activity outside the nation.

Going on to emphasize that police stations have been established in 18 islands of the nation during the current term and that 100 islands currently offer neighborhood policing services, President Solih stated that the government is making efforts to ensure that by the end of 2023, police services will be available in all islands across the Maldives.

The ceremony, attended by First Lady Fazna Ahmed, Cabinet Ministers, and senior officials from the Maldives National Defense Force and MPS, also saw President Solih presenting plaques of appreciation to long-serving employees and those who significantly contributed to the MPS.

The President’s Color Medal was also presented to police officers during Saturday’s ceremony, where the "Commemorative Coin," honoring the 90th anniversary of the police service was also unveiled.

Under the island nation's first constitution, the police institution was established on 29 March 1933.

MPS was separated from the military and established as a civil service on 1 September 2004.