Maldives Police Service (MPS) officially launched community policing services in southernmost atolls on Friday.

Commissioner of Police Mohamed Hameed launched the service in Addu City during a special ceremony held at the Equator Village as well as in Fuvahmulah City.

While “dedicated” Neighborhood Support Officers have now been stationed in both cities under the newly established community policing services, officers will be visiting households and shops in both cities and inquire on complaints and issues they face in respective regions. Within this program, officers will resolve issues residents face their respective regions such as social intrusions and misconducts.

Officers will also share information on efforts to reduce offenses in the regions as well as maintaining social security, with the residents.

Commissioner Hameed stated that the program is linked to MPS’s strategic priorities including local policing, partnerships for community safety and organizational reform as well as transformation.

Addu City has been divided into 21 neighborhoods, and two support officers will be stationed in each neighborhood.

Although it was officially launched on Friday, the service has been in operation since May 2019, with officers thus far having visited 1,068 households and 146 shops.

MPS is currently providing the service to the Greater Malé Region, and the program is part of the incumbent President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s first-100-day agenda with an aim to ensure a peaceful, secure and Maldives.

The program was enforced in December 2018.