President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has revealed government plans to establish police service in all inhabited islands by 2023 in a major initiative to ensure a safe and secure Maldives.

He made the statement at the ceremony held last night to mark the 89th anniversary of the Maldives Police Service. The President was accompanied by First Lady Fazna Ahmed.

In his comments, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih announced that police service will be expanded to 25 additional islands and that contracts have been drawn up to build police stations on 61 islands, this year.

He emphasized that improving the standard of police service was a critical task entrusted to this government by the people, and highlighted the numerous strides made in police reform over the last three years.

President addresses ceremony held on Police Day/ Photo: President's Office

President Solih noted the effort to expand neighborhood police to all islands and said that professional development programs had been launched on all the islands where a police presence was established.

President Solih stated that the National College of Policing and Law Enforcement in southernmost Addu City is a result of successive governments’ hard work and determination to improve police services in the Maldives. The President recognized the National College of Policing and Law Enforcement as a token of goodwill from the government of India to the Maldives.

President Solih affirmed that the government is committed to enhancing the capacity of the police and assured that the police would be provided with the necessary human resources, training, and technologies required to elevate their standard.

At last night's ceremony, the President awarded medals to recipients and launched a mobile phone application developed by the Maldives Police Service.