Maldives Police Service (MPS) has boosted its presence in gang-prone areas of the capital Malé City, with arrangements made to ensure a police officer is encountered “every five minutes” on the streets of the congested capital region.

This was revealed by the Commissioner of Police Ali Shujau in a statement regarding ongoing work by the police institution in the Greater Malé Region.

Highlighting that police officers will be stationed statically across areas where gangs are active in Malé as well as Hulhumalé, as part of the ongoing efforts, CP Shujau stated that multiple efforts have been made to battle gang-related crimes and drug abuse in recent days.

In a bid to boost these efforts, CP revealed that a senior officer from both the gang crime unit and the drug enforcement unit will be working at the communication center.

This, CP Shujau said will pave the path for direct monitoring of the general situation in Malé and Hulhumalé by said units, which would in turn enable swifter decision-making in response to various incidents.

CP Shujau noted that this carries the main purpose of providing the service that citizens desire as closely as possible, without any interruptions.

Further, it aims to make the most efficient use of human resources and increase police presence to give citizens a sense of security.

Noting that all resources of the police institution are being utilized towards this goal, CP Shujau highlighted that the incumbent administration of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu wishes to expand the role of MPS in maintaining the entire Maldives as a safe and secure place by solidifying these efforts.

The police commissioner stated that MPS is implementing a model of working closely with citizens in the atolls as well, adding that MPS has been receiving positive feedback from citizens and councils.

In addition to this, CP Shujau said that work is being done to manage traffic in specific areas of the congested capital city during peak hours, with stationary police officers.

Presently, about 360 police recruits are undergoing training.

With the recent surge in accidents in the capital region, the CP highlighted that ensuring citizens encounter a police officer within five minutes of starting their journey on the roads, has been established as a policy.

CP Shujau said that they are presently working to achieve this goal and that once the police officers currently in training, complete their programme, they will begin serving on the frontline to achieve this objective.