President Dr Mohamed Muizzu on Monday extended formal commendations to the Maldives Police Service (MPS), marking 21 years since the force’s reconstitution as a civilian institution. In a message shared via his official X account, the president praised officers for their “diligent and honest hard work day and night”, and for serving the public “with integrity and moral responsibility.”
Police Service Day, observed annually on 1 September, marks the civilian reconstitution of the Maldives Police Service in 2004, while the country’s original policing institution traces its establishment to 29 March 1933. The modern iteration of the force was established in 2004, when the police were formally separated from the country’s unified military structure. That restructuring created an independent law enforcement body under the Ministry of Home Affairs, now the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology.
In his remarks, President Muizzu extended greetings not only to serving officers but also to their families, acknowledging the collective sacrifices made in pursuit of national security. His message underscored the administration’s recognition of the police service as a pillar of public trust and institutional integrity.
Since its civilian transition, the MPS has undergone significant reform. The enactment of its first dedicated law in 2008 provided a foundational legal framework, while the Police Service Act of 2020 introduced a modern operational philosophy rooted in community policing. These legislative developments have shaped the force’s evolution, aligning its mandate with contemporary standards of accountability and civic engagement.
The government now aims to broaden the reach of police services across the country. The administration of President Muizzu plans to establish police presence on all inhabited islands within the current calendar year, a strategic initiative intended to strengthen public safety infrastructure and deepen community ties.