President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has stated the newly enacted Police Service Act will reinforce the police institution and its services.
In a tweet posted following the enactment of the new Police Service Act, President Solih congratulated all police officers who took their oath under the new Act. He said the new Act will strengthen the police institution and its services to the public. He expressed belief Maldives Police Service (MPS) will work much closer to the public, upon the implementation of the new Act.
The Police Service Act was passed by the Parliament on December 6 last year, and ratified by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on December 27. As stipulated in the Act, it has come into effect 3 months after it was published in the Government Gazette.
The Act establishes the fundamental principles, guidelines, roles and other aspects concerning police officers, aiming to streamline policing in the country by ensuring adherence to the constitution. Police officers are mandated to ensure the safety of all members of the public, without any discrimination or influence, and in line with human rights best practices.
The Act also promotes professional standards within the police force and paves the way for the establishment of community-based policing services under a decentralised system of governance. The Act also mandates the formation of a 7-member Police Board and a 5-member Appeal Board to look into allegations of corruption, misuse of power and inhumane acts committed by the police officers.
Upon implementation of the Act, the institution established as Maldives Police Service under the Police Act, will be renamed as Dhivehi Fuluhunge Khidhumaiy; however, the institution will still be addressed as Maldives Police Service in English.