Ex-CP Hameed: Frequent change in CPs erodes public trust, effect morale among officers

Former Commissioner of Police Mohamed Hameed has remarked that frequent changes in police commissioners erodes public confidence in Maldives Police Service and effect morale among officers.

Hameed made the remark in a blog post following the retirement of Ismail Naveen, who was appointed as the Commissioner of Police in June last year, on Wednesday after nearly 32 years in the force.

Naveen was appointed as the Commissioner of Police on June 10, 2025, after his predecessor, and the first Commissioner of Police under the current administration, Ali Shujau, resigned on April 26, 2025, and later retired from the police force.

Hence, Naveen served as the Commissioner of Police for just eight months. He has not disclosed the reason behind his retirement so far.

In his blog post, Hameed, who retired from the force two days before the incumbent administration office, wrote that three police commissioners in just two and half years is not a normal turnover for any professional police service and should alarm anyone who cares about institutional stability.

He emphasized that frequent changes at the top affect morale across ranks, weaken operational clarity and create uncertainty within the command structure.

He said that a police service depends heavily on consistent leadership and clear direction. He noted that when leaders change repeatedly, long-term reform efforts tend to lose momentum and policy priorities are constantly reset. He added that, in such circumstances, officers may begin to question whether professionalism is truly valued, or whether political alignment is what ultimately determines their survival.

“Over time, this erodes public confidence,” he stressed, highlighting citizens begin to wonder whether the institution is being steered by national interest, or political convenience.

Noting President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration is approaching the halfway point of its term, Hameed the latter half of any government’s tenure tends to become politically sensitive, with attention inevitably turning toward efforts to secure re-election.

He underscored that the temptation to appoint a police commissioner closely aligned with the government’s political objectives increases. 

Hameed said this is why the current vacancy is so significant, adding who is appointed the next police commissioner will signal whether the administration intends to strengthen democratic policing or a consolidate control over it.

He detailed that the moment presents an opportunity for the administration where they can choose to appoint an officer whose professional record demonstrates political neutrality, competence, integrity and the ability to lead a complex institution under pressure.

“Such an appointment would send a powerful message, not only to officers within MPS, but to the public and the international community,” he stressed.

On the contrary, he emphasized that a politically aligned appointment would deepen perceptions that the police service is becoming an extension of executive authority.

Hameed, citing Maldives Police Service as one of the pillars of democratic governance, said the if the authority loses its neutrality, the rule of law becomes selective and when the rule of law becomes selective, democracy weakens.

“The police service cannot fail the public,” he added.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Farhad Fikry has been appointed as the Acting Commissioner of Police, following Naveen’s retirement.

Farhad, along with South Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police Ahmed Shameem – had competed against Naveen for the top police post back when Shujau resigned.

There has been significant controversy surrounding both Farhad and Naveen. Naveen recently faced a parliamentary recommendation for suspension over alleged private meetings with shareholders of a company being investigated in a cigarette smuggling case.

Meanwhile, Farhad faces serious whistleblower allegations regarding the destruction of evidence in a 2018 rape of a young girl that his son was reportedly involved in.