President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has extended formal commendations to the Maldives Police Service (MPS) as the institution marked 21 years since its reconstitution as a civilian law enforcement body.

In a message shared on his official X account, the President lauded police officers for their “diligent and honest hard work day and night”, and for serving the Maldivian people “with integrity and moral responsibility.” He also extended greetings to the families of serving officers, acknowledging the personal sacrifices made in safeguarding the nation’s security.

Police Service Day, observed annually on 1 September, commemorates the civilian establishment of the Maldives Police Service in 2004. While policing in the country dates back to 29 March 1933, the force was reorganised two decades ago when law enforcement functions were formally separated from the military. The restructuring created an independent body under the Ministry of Home Affairs, now reconstituted as the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology.

Since the transition, the MPS has undergone substantial reform. The introduction of its first dedicated legislation in 2008 laid the foundation for institutional development, while the Police Service Act of 2020 advanced a modern operational philosophy grounded in accountability and community-based policing. These changes have been central to aligning the force’s role with contemporary governance and civic engagement standards.

Looking ahead, the Government has announced plans to extend police services to every inhabited island before the end of the current calendar year. President Dr Muizzu described this initiative as a strategic step towards strengthening public safety infrastructure and reinforcing community trust across the archipelago.