Police to create dedicated department to battle gang crime, drugs

Commissioner of Police Ali Shujau has announced plans to create a dedicated department to fight gang-related crime and drug trafficking.

Shujau announced the plan during the launch of the 2024-2028 police strategic action plan on Wednesday morning.

Shujau said the plan pays a special focus on saving the country from criminal gangs and drug trafficking, and making changes within the police to fight the crimes at an organizational level.

Another key focus of the new strategic action plan is decentralization of police services.

Shujau said the changes will transfer many of the powers that currently lies with the Male’ headquarters to regional commanders.

He said that decentralization is crucial to providing policing services closer to the people.

“I believe the police service will exhibit the best example of this administration’s decentralization policies,” he said.

Another key focus of the new strategic action plan is strengthening the ties between police and local communities, and bolstering greater community engagement.

The police’s new strategic action plan was inaugurated by Home Minister Ali Ihusan. The event was also attended by other top state and police officials.