Police Commissioner: Not right to protest to obtain information on investigations

Police Commissioner, Hussain Waheed has said that it is not right to pressurize the Police by protesting and rallying, to obtain information on ongoing police investigations or cases.

Visiting the Hanimaadhoo Police Station, as part of an official trip to Haa Alif and Haa Dhaal Atolls, the Commissioner met the officers in the station yesterday afternoon. Speaking at the meeting, he said that disclosing information regarding police investigations could obstruct those investigations.

Releasing information about an ongoing or incomplete investigation could adversely affect the general public and has the chance of disrupting harmony among the public, he said.

The Commissioner reasoned that following their work, they duly answer those they are answerable to.

He also said that the role of the police needs to be broadened and the force needs to be fully utilized to serve the public on a wider scale. He encouraged all officers to be more active rather than stay within their stations, and to provide more dedicated services to the public. He added that a lot of work is being done to achieve their goals to sustain a peaceful and secure community, and that this work includes all personnel starting from him to the constables.

These remarks by the Police Commissioner come following a recent march in Male’, during which protesters voiced their dissatisfaction regarding police investigation in relation to the disappearance of Minivan News journalist, Ahmed Rilwan.