Ismail Naveen becomes second Police Commissioner to retire during the current administration
In a message sent to the police executive leadership today, Assistant Commissioner of Police Mohamed Naveen announced his decision to retire, noting that he had been considering this move for some time. Naveen further stated that he believes now is the most appropriate time to conclude his tenure and ensure a smooth transition of his senior leadership responsibilities.
Commissioner of Police Ismail Naveen (L), President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu (C), and Minister Ali Ihusan (R) | President's Office | President's Office
Commissioner of Police Ismail Naveen has submitted his request for retirement from the post.
In a message sent to the police executive leadership on Sunday, Commissioner Naveen announced his decision to retire from his post. He stated that he has officially decided to submit his request for retirement. The message further noted that he reached this decision after careful deliberation over several factors, having contemplated the move for some time.
In his message, Naveen further stated that he believes this is the most appropriate time to conclude his tenure and ensure a smooth transition of his senior leadership responsibilities.
This marks the second time a top police official has abruptly departed from the post before the current administration has even completed its first year in office. With Naveen’s retirement coming just as the Local Council Elections scheduled for April 4 draw near, the Maldives Police Service once again finds itself on the brink of a "systemic upheaval."
The period spanning 2025 to 2026 has been a time when the credibility of the police service has been deeply questioned. Public concerns, initially sparked by a suspicious fall involving an individual, escalated into a fundamental crisis regarding the institution's core values, leading to a significant confrontation between the general public and police leadership.
The fall that cost a Commissioner their position
The suspicious incident involving 21-year-old Hawwa Yumnu Rasheed, who was found unconscious after falling from the H. Fentenoy building on April 18, 2025, has become a significant challenge for the police institution. Following a profound failure by the authorities in this matter, the Prosecutor General’s Office has openly and severely criticized the police. The PG directed an internal investigation to determine whether the police had violated the law or intentionally mishandled the case to protect influential individuals. With such high-level legal action and reports of a three-hour delay in discovering Yumnu after her fall, many believe that Commissioner Ali Shujau’s resignation on April 26 was a forced decision made under immense public and professional pressure.
Leadership born out of a crisis
Naveen’s term, which officially began in June 2025, was initiated with the objective of restoring stability to the police service following the turbulent resignation of his predecessor, Ali Shujau.
It is believed that Deputy Commissioner Naveen, who previously led the investigation into Yumna's case, was appointed to the position in an effort to restore public confidence.
Changing Faces
Over the past 12 months, the police institution has faced unprecedented turmoil. Following Shujau’s resignation and prior to Naveen’s appointment, Deputy Commissioner Farhad Fikry was briefly tasked with leading the force. However, that decision was rescinded in less than an hour following intense public backlash over allegations of his involvement in destroying evidence in a previous case.
Following reports of Naveen’s resignation, internal competition for the leadership is expected to intensify during this period.
Amid widespread public allegations of excessive political influence over the police, any individual appointed to lead the force will face the significant challenge of shielding the institution from such accusations.
