Maldives Police Service

History

The police service was first established during the reign of Al-Sultan Muhammad Shamsuddeen III on 29 March 1933 with 120 police officers. Members of the force were issued the traditional Maldivian mundu and libaas as well as a cap, belt, and straps.

During the early days of police, there was violence between the foreign investors and the Maldivians. The foreigners stopped business with Maldivians and closed their shops. The Police were unable to resolve the situation and needed the help of the military. The full-strength intervention of the military aided the police, bringing the situation under control by 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. In 1970 the 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 was then known as the 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 restructured under the Ministry of Defense and National Security on 10 January 1979, National Guards were renamed as National Security Service. In 1985 the headquarters was relocated to the building of the current Ministry of Defense and National Security. Apart from an admin section, five investigation sections were formed.

In 1992, a police inspector David Price from the West Yorkshire Police 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, the 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, a police reserve force known as the Special Constabulary was inaugurated. Later on 23 July 2013, the first official ceremony to commemorate 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. On the same day, the Police Memorial Wall was also inaugurated to honour the members of the Maldives Police Service who lost their lives in the line of duty.

Rank structure before 2020

References

References

1. "Maldives Police Service Act (Dhivehi) Law No. 34/2020". Attorney General's Office, Republic of Maldives.
2. "Rank Insignias".