Acting Commissioner of Police (ACP) Mohamed Hameed, on Monday, stated that Neighbourhood Support Officers will be established in Maldives.
ACP Hameed said that the initial batch of officers will support the Greater Male' region and that capital Male' will be split up into four neighbourhoods, reclaimed suburb Hulhumale' into three, and Villimale' as one.
Neighbourhood Officers will be high ranking officers, comprising subordinate groups of policemen to patrol said neighbourhoods. The public will be able to call the support officers on a designated mobile number.
The Acting Commissioner stated that the initiative aims to ensure that support officers are able to properly maintain the areas under their jurisdiction, with the unit engaging and closely working with the public.
Furthermore, he stated that support officers will work towards addressing crimes before it unfolds, instead of acting afterwards.
ACP Hameed noted that it is important to listen and understand public opinion when working towards providing security for citizens, adding that the initiative will decentralize policing in Maldives.