| Maldives Police Service | |
|---|---|
| Motto | To Protect and Serve |
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | March 29, 1933 |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| National agency (Operations jurisdiction) | Republic of Maldives |
| Operations jurisdiction | Republic of Maldives |
| Population | 369,031 (July 2007 est.) |
| Legal jurisdiction | Republic of Maldives |
| General nature | |
| Operational structure | |
| Agency executive |
|
| Facilities | |
| Police Stations | 19 |
| Website | |
| http://police.gov.mv/ | |
The Maldives Police Service is the civilian national police force of the Republic of Maldives. It is responsible for enforcing criminal and traffic law, enhancing public safety, maintaining order and keeping the peace throughout Maldives. The organization comes under the control of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
History of the force
editA Police force was established by Law on 29th March 1933, during the kingdom of A-Sultan Muhammad Shamsuddeen III. There were 120 officers in the police when it was first established. Their duty was to patrol the market area and the island maintaining peace amongst the citizens and protecting property.
The original service was organised into duty shifts. Officers were issued with uniforms whilst on duty. The uniform consisted of Maldivian Traditional dress of Mundu and Libaasplus Black Cap, Belt and straps. They were equiped with batons on duty and issued whistles for communication. At this time the police were able to call on the protection and help of military if needed help while on duty . The initial Investigation office was small with only three investigation tables . The office was principally painted green which is why it was commonly called the Green Officecitation needed. The three tables in the investigating office represented three sections of the service- Theft, Political and Serious Crimes.
The operating procedures of service established in 1933 were maintained until the 11th of November 1978 when Maumoon Abdul Gayoom was elected president[citation needed].
Accusactions of brutality
editChanges to police structure
editInitially, they had the same three sections in the new office too. The Police office developed rapidly with time. Young officers started joining the Police and since 1978 the whole image of Police changed. New sections formed; traffic control and road accidents became the responsibility of the police. The Maldive Police service has training links with other countries. In 1992 a Police Inspector from the West Yorkshire Police named David Price introduced the modern working structure of the Police, introducing Police beats and mobile patrols.These continue to the present day.
The Police office was moved in 1970 to the building that has since become the NSS library. The organization grew, the lack of space led, in 1985, to a move where the Ministry of Defense is currently located. Apart from an Admin Section, five investigation sections were formed. And Police shifted to Shaheedh Hussain Adam Building in 1999 and on 1st September 2004 Maldives Police Service was formed under the Ministry of Home Affairs which was a major functional shift of the present administration.
Organization Structure
editCOMMISSIONER OF POLICE Commissioner’s Office Deputy Commissioner of Police Public Affairs Department Strategic Development Department Ethical Standards Command
SPECIALIST CRIME COMMAND Criminal Investigation Department Administration Unit General Investigation Unit Commercial Crime Unit Serious & Organized Crime Unit Family & Child Protection Unit Drug Enforcement Department Internal Intelligence Department AREA COMMAND Northern Region North Central Region Central Region South Central Region Southern Region
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE COMMAND Human Resource Department Police Academy Technology Department Logistic Department Finance Department Marine Fleet Department
OPERATIONS COMMAND Traffic Police Capital Police Special Operations & Security Department Police Custodial Department Marine Police
External links
edit