Maldives plans special police unit to combat organized crimes
PC Shujau outlined a plan for streamlined police work to enhance police-community relations at this event too.
By
Aishath Fareeha Abdulla
A strategic plan for police services over the next five years was unveiled on Wednesday. The plan includes establishing a drug and violent crime command, along with a national strategy to combat drug and gang-related crimes.
Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihusaan launched the plan at a ceremony held at Iskandhar Barracks on Wednesday.
The strategic plan launched on Wednesday is designed to improve the quality of police services between 2024-2028 and establish a safe society while engaging with the people and utilising technology.
The strategic plan includes:
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Establish a Drug and Violent Crime Command with a national strategy to combat drugs and gang violence
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Establishment of an anti-scam centre to combat victimisation
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Develop and implement a local policing strategy to further develop neighbourhood policing
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Establish a Digital Data Technology Command to facilitate the implementation of future-focused high data-driven policing
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Further strengthening of the city police service
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Reform police training courses and introduce mid-career programs for officers
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Implementation of the Policing Professional Framework
The plan launched on Wednesday also outlines five key priorities in the next five-year strategic plan. They include:
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Combating Criminal Threats: Making the Maldives a safe place for all; strengthening the regional and central capabilities of the police service and combating drug abuse; preventing gang violence, illegal migrant worker recruitment, human trafficking, theft and robbery, scams and fraud, traffic violation, cyber crime, terrorism, violent extremism, domestic violence, women and child abuse, public disorder and working with the community to build the trust of citizens, to overcome crimes and the fear of crimes
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Prioritizing Community Engagement and Policing: Strengthen police-community relationships and work more tailored police services through a community policing model to ensure citizen safety and security
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Modernising and Upgrading Police Infrastructure and Practice: Strategic investments include a long-term plan to upgrade and modernise the physical infrastructure, technology and other facilities required to enhance and improve the quality of services provided by the police to the public. Creating a culture in which departments can work together to address challenges
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Fostering Effective Governance and Leadership Development: Prioritise review and improvement of internal departments, systems, processes, rules, policy and procedures, strengthen core policing functions and leadership approach at all levels, build skilled and capable healthy staff
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Ensuring Accountability and Ethical Conduct: Making the police service a transparent professional service and creating a culture of integrity to maintain public trust in the police
Speaking at on Wednesday’s ceremony, Police Commissioner Ali Shujau said the plan would include more streamlined police work within a community policing model to strengthen the relationship between the police and the community.
