The government of Japan has donated vehicles to the Maldives Police Service (MPS).

In a press release, the police institution revealed that the ceremony to officially hand over the vehicles, was held at Iskandar Koshi on Sunday.

Ambassador of Japan to the Maldives Takeuchi Midori presented the vehicles to Commissioner of Police Ali Shujau during the ceremony.

Donated were 54 patrol cars and four vans valued at USD four million, which is approximately MVR 61 million.

MPS revealed that the vehicles were provided under the grant aid project, valued at USD six million.

This donation is expected to enhance the efforts of the police institution to combine a sound capacity in road traffic operations.

The ceremony was attended by Deputy Commissioner of Police Faruhad Fikuree, Deputy Commissioner of Police Ismail Naveen, executive police officers as well as other important officials.

Taking the podium at the event, Commissioner Shujau stressed that the crime rate is on the rise in the society and shed light on the urgency to increase efforts to ensure the safety and security of the people.

Shujau noted that this has been made possible with the establishment of facilities in the police service and that the vehicles donated by the Japanese government will boost these efforts further.

Adding that the capacity of the police force would be greatly enhanced to ensure safety and stability, Shujau extended gratitude to the government of Japan for the continuous support and contributions to the police institution in multiple ways.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Midori revealed that the donation mirrors the Japanese government’s commitment to support law enforcement and said that it would make it easier for the police institution to perform their duties to the fullest.

She expressed that MPS traffic operations would be enhanced and stated that the government of Japan intends to provide other conveniences to the police in the future including metal detectors, lasers, passenger craft and rubber boats.

The ceremony also saw MPS presenting a plaque in recognition of the Japanese government’s significant contributions to the progress and infrastructural development of the police institution.

the government of Japan has provided resources to various sectors of the police institution in the past as well.

They include land and sea vessels, drug field test kits, precursor field test kits and Raman handheld field identification kits.