More than 1,200 police officers and institutional staff marched across Malé and the outer atolls to commemorate Police Service Day, inaugurating celebratory activities marking the force’s transition from a military entity into an independent civil service on 1 September 2004.
Commencing at Republic Square after the administration of the police oath, the procession circled the capital island before returning to the square. The march, which included Ali Ihusaan, the Minister of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology, and Commissioner of Police Ahmed Mohamed, symbolised institutional history, sacrifice, and sincerity, according to the Maldives Police Service.
Addressing challenges over 22 years of nationwide expansion, Commissioner Ahmed Mohamed noted developing infrastructure and specialised training for personnel working tirelessly day and night. “When this administration took over the police service, services were being provided through dedicated police stations in only about 17 islands,” the police commissioner said. “However, today, by God's will, the work to establish dedicated police stations in all remaining islands is progressing rapidly.” He noted these efforts would ensure a capable, trustworthy service meeting public expectations.
Formal policing originally began on 29 March 1933, operating alongside the military until the 2004 separation. An initial statute followed in 2008, before a 2020 act reshaped the service around community policing. Celebrations feature children’s festivals, family activities, and sports programmes, alongside a ‘Blues Family Night’ on 5 September at 8:30 p.m. at the National Centre for Social Education, featuring performances by ‘Baarashu Shiyam’, ‘Habeys’, and the MNSU.