Home Minister Ali Ihusan has temporarily handed over the management of the Maldives Police Service to Deputy Commissioner of Police Farhad Fikry, following the retirement of Police Commissioner Ismail Naveen yesterday.
Farhad is currently the only officer serving at the rank of Deputy Commissioner.
Under the Police Act, the Home Ministry must make a public announcement to invite applications for the post of Commissioner of Police. The law requires that a new commissioner be appointed within 45 days of the position becoming vacant.
Officers holding the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police and above are eligible to apply.
The President appoints the Commissioner of Police on the recommendation of the Home Minister, after the Police Board evaluates and interviews candidates shortlisted from among the names submitted to the minister.
Naveen retired after 32 years in service. In a message to senior officers, he said the decision came after days of reflection.
“I have been thinking about this for days,” he said, adding that he believed it was the right time to step down to allow for a smooth leadership transition.
In a Facebook post following his retirement, Naveen said he was leaving the service in the same spirit in which he joined nearly three decades ago — with respect for the police badge, trust in the institution and love for the country.
Naveen was appointed commissioner following the abrupt retirement of his predecessor, Ali Shujau, in April last year. Prior to his formal appointment, he served as interim head of the service.
He stepped down while Parliament’s Finance Committee has recommended the suspension of seven senior police officers, including him, in connection with allegations of corruption involving the police welfare company POLCO and other matters. Parliament has yet to decide on the recommendation.
When nominations were opened after Shujau’s retirement, Naveen, DCP Farhad Fikry and Assistant Commissioner Ahmed Shameem applied for the post. President Dr Mohamed Muizzu ultimately appointed Naveen as commissioner.
