Maldives Police Service

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

A Police force was established by Law on 29 March 1933, during the kingdom of A-Sultan Muhammad Shamsuddeen III. The service consisted initially of 120 officers, organised into duty shifts. Officers were issued with uniforms of Maldivian Traditional Dress of Mundu and Libaas plus black cap, belt and straps on duty. They were equipped with batons and issued whistles for communication. Their duty was to patrol the market area and the island. In other words, establishing peace amongst the citizens and protecting the people and their belongings. The law that established police on 29 March 1933 by Sultan Mohamed Shamsudhdheen, has never been cancelled by any of the historical writings seen so far. It is known that Police and Military were separate organizations when they first formed.

The Police worked with the assistance of the Military when needed, the protection and help of military was available as the Law stated . During the earlier days of Police, there was violence between the foreign investors and the Maldivians. The foreigners stopped business with Maldivians and closed their shops which caused the Maldivians to suffer. The Police tried their best to control the situation, but needed the help of the Military. The Military helped the Police in their full strength and finally brought the situation under control. That was on 15 May 1933.

The initial Investigation office was small with only three investigation tables . The three tables in the investigating office represented three sections of the service; Theft, Political and Serious Crimes. The office was mostly painted in green which is why the place was also called the Green Office. In 1970 Police office was changed to the building that has since become the Bandara Koshi library. New sections formed; Traffic Control and road accidents were being monitored by the police. The police force was soon disbanded although the initial law was not revoked. The police force was formally re-established on 13 March 1972, as a branch of the security force, which were then known as National Guards, functioning under the Ministry of Public Safety.

The operating procedures of service established in 1933 were maintained until the election of Maumoon Abdul Gayoom on 11 November 1978. When the force was re-structured under Ministry of Defense and National Security on 10 January 1979, National Guards were renamed as National Security Service. Since the organization was expanding, the lack of space in the building was experienced. As a result, finally, in 1985 the headquarters was re-located to the building of the current Ministry of Defense and National Security. Apart from an Admin Section, five investigation sections were formed.

And 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. Police shifted to Shaheedh Hussain Adam Building in 1999 and on 1 September 2004 Maldives Police Service was formed under the Ministry of Home Affairs which was a major functional shift of the present administration. National Security Service was later renamed as Maldives National Defence Force.

On 1 July 2013 police reserve force known as the Special Constabulary was inaugurated. And on 23 July 2013 first official ceremony to commemorate the Police Memorial Day was held. The Police Memorial Day is an annual nationwide event which aims to remember, honour and pay respects to each and every Police Officer who lost their lives in the line of duty. And on the same day Police Memorial Wall was inaugurated to honour the members of the Maldives Police Service who lost their lives in the line of duty.

Organization structure

Commissioners Bureau

* Executive Support Services
* International Relations Department
* Police Media Center
* Grievance Officer

Organisational Reform and Development

* Strategic Planning Department
* Legal Department

Professional Standards Command

* Administration Unit
* Internal Investigation Unit
* Quality Assessment and Awareness unit

Directorate of Intelligence

Crime Investigation Command

* Drug Enforcement Department
* Economic Crime Department
* Family & Child Protection Department
* Major Crime Management Center
* General Investigation Department
* Anti-Human Trafficking Unit
* Victim Support Unit

Internal Security Command

* Male’ City Police
* Traffic Management Department
* Industrial Security Department
* Special Operations Department
* Police Communication Center
* Major Events
* HULHUMALE POLICE

Divisional Operations Command

* NORTHERN OPERATIONS
* Upper North Police Division
* North Police Division
* North Central Police Division
* SOUTHERN OPERATIONS
* Central Police Division
* South Central Police Division
* Upper South Police Division
* South Police Division

Specialist Support

* Forensic Services
* Information & Communication Technology Services
* Police Custodial Department
* Marine Police Department

Staff Welfare and Finance Management

* Finance and Asset Management
* Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Services
* Public Affairs Department
* Human Resource Development

Support Services

* Logistic Services
* Police Medical Services
* Uniform & Accessories Department
* Police Club
* Police Family Association

Training and Development

* National College of Policing and Law Enforcement

Rank structure

Medals and ribbons

Medals

National Level Medals
* Medal of Honour
* Presidential Medal
* Medal for Exceptional Bravery
* Medal for Bravery
* 3 November Medal
* Purple Heart
* Long Service Medal
Service Level Medals
* Distinguished Service Medal
* Police Service Medal
* Gold Life Saving Medal
* Silver Life Saving Medal
* Dedicated Service Medal
* Good Conduct Medal
* Police Medal
* Tsunami Medal
* Independence 50 Medal
* Republic 50 Medal

Ribbons

National Level Ribbons
* Presidential Ribbon
Service Level Ribbons
* Long Service Ribbon
* Ribbon of Bravery
* Dedicated Service Ribbon
* Police Service Ribbon
* Good Conduct Ribbon
* Special Duty Ribbon
* Achievement Gold Ribbon
* Achievement Silver Ribbon
* Ribbon of Skill
* Ribbon of Drill

References

External links

Further reading

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{{Asia topic, Law enforcement in

Law enforcement in the Maldives
Government agencies established in 2004
2004 establishments in the Maldives