Minister of Home Affairs Azleen Ahmed has stated that it is a major drawback to the country, to see once loyal and hardworking officers of the police force being labelled 'traitors' and serving sentences behind bars.
Addressing the official function held to mark the 85th Anniversary of Maldives Police Service, Minister of Home Affairs Azleen Ahmed said, the police officers should always stay loyal to their oath, in serving the country and its people.
Noting that actions by some officers of the police service has tarnished the image of the institution, Minister Azleen called on police officers to restore the public's faith in the country. Minister Azleen noted that despite the fact it is clearly written in the constitution that the president is the Head of State and the Commander in Chief, there are efforts by some to deceive the public about the command the president has over the security forces.
Addressing the function, Acting Commissioner of Police Abdulla Nawaaz stated, safety and security of the country and its people should be the utmost priority among all responsibilities police officers have to shoulder. In this regard, Nawaaz highlighted that the police force has been exerting major efforts to make Maldives a crime free and peaceful country.
At the ceremony President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom conferred special awards on officers who has served for over 25 years and on officers who brought good name to the force. In addition, certificates were awarded for authorities and bodies that have assisted the police service in carrying out its lawful.