Major changes from police in coming weeks: Ihusaan

Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusaan announced today that results from the conference held to "reset" police services will see results in the next 2 to 3 weeks, with concerns having closely been addressed and identified.

Regarding the "Local Policing Conference" held on Tuesday and Wednesday at Paradise Island Resort, Minister Ihusaan told Mihaaru News that while police services are being shaped as time goes on, the areas that need to be targeted have been identified. He stated that it includes areas such as drug issues, gang issues, issues surrounding children and problems faced by expatriates.

"The police will work closely regarding these areas within action plans in the near future," said Ihusaan.

The conference was the first of its kind attended by all police commanders, with Minister Ihusaan stating that issues surrounding the police will be closely seen, with discussions broadly having been held regarding the solutions.

"This is the first time we have been able to talk about issues like this with all commanders in one place. We will hopefully see big changes in the next 2 to 3 weeks," said Minister Ihusaan.

He said that in serving the public, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has certain priorities or “policing requirements,” and as the minister responsible for the police, Ihusaan’s role is to ensure those priorities are implemented and enforced.

"The state spends quite heavily on the police sector. We discussed issues that have not been streamlined for years. It is only now we have been able to establish proper structures at nearby islands. Police in the islands are struggling. Hopefully, the result of these discussions will be good," said the Minister.

As per Ihusaan, he only wants to see results from the police. 

"There is nothing else that I want," said Ihusaan.

Ihusaan spoke to PSM during the first day of the conference, stating that police officers who cannot deliver results to the public “cannot remain in the police service forever", with them having to show results.

“After advice and retraining, if an officer still remains a non-performer, they cannot always stay here. People are expecting results. We want to show those results,” he said.

The minister outlined several areas where the police must show improvement including faster investigations, stronger police presence on the streets, improved accountability, a higher sense of safety and security among the public, expanded police operations and reduced administrative burdens.

A preparatory meeting for the event was held last Thursday, during which Ihusan spoke candidly about internal issues within the service. He said the police need a “hard reset,” noting that trust in the institution is deteriorating rapidly.

He asserted that the police system has “failed” and highlighted the heavy financial burden the force places on the state. Despite being one of the highest-budgeted institutions, he said the police have not met expectations.

The minister noted that the government’s two years in office represent 40 percent of its mandate, yet the police have been unable to fulfill their responsibilities even with an annual budget of MVR 2.8 billion, an amount equivalent to the country’s total income in 2002.