President: Police must evolve to counter changing criminal tactics

The tactics and devices used by criminals in the commission of crimes are changing, and the police must modernize and evolve to counter the emerging threats, states President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

He made the comment at the opening of the Police Research and Innovation Conference on Saturday.

Speaking during the ceremony, President Solih said that his administration’s policy is to promote and enhance community-based policing.

“Law enforcement requires the involvement of all members of the community. This requires building a strong network with  members of the general public, relevant institutions, students, the youth, professionals, and security experts,” he said.

President Solih said that policing faces major challenges in modern times.

“We are in a world of new technologies and inventions. With the convenience technologies provide, also comes social and criminal challenges,” he said.

“The things that pose a threat to the safety of the people are changing. The tactics and the outlook are changing. And the devices used to commit crimes and the plans to evade arrest is changing.”

President Solih urged the police to increase their vigilance and preparedness in face of the changes.

He said that the police force needs to modernize in order to meet the emerging threats.

President Solih stressed the need to provide police with modern resources. He noted that frontline police officers were now using body-worn cameras added that they would begin using tasers this year.

He said that police put their lives on the line in defense of the people, and therefore needed protection themselves, both mentally and physically.

“Another device the police will begin using this year is the taser gun. This is a device used for the safety of police officers and the criminals themselves when facing dangerous criminals. This isn’t, under any circumstances, a weapon to attack criminals,” he said.

President Solih spoke about the importance of dialogue and experience backed by academic research to ensure a fruitful outcome, and expressed hope the conference will help modernize policing.

The conference will see the presentation of 10 academic papers on various topics related to modernizing and enhancing policing.