Amended police regulations expand benefits for families of officers who die in the line of duty

The Police Employment Regulation has been amended to ensure that the families of police officers who die while on duty receive medical treatment funded by the Maldives Police Service.

The amendment to Regulation 85-R/2022 states that if a police officer dies in the line of duty, the officer’s family will be provided medical treatment under the Police Service’s medical scheme.

The revised rules also allow the Police Service to hold a special funeral ceremony for officers who die while on duty. The decision will be made by the Executive Management Board, based on the circumstances of the officer’s death and the nature of the officer’s service.

An audit report released in January this year shows that MVR 618,949,192 was spent on medical treatment for police officers and their families between 2019 and 2024. During the same period, MVR 601,061,300 was spent on medical treatment for MNDF soldiers and their families.

According to the audit, annual medical expenditure increased by 24 percent for police and 23 percent for MNDF during those years.

The Audit Office recommended a review of the current medical treatment schemes for MNDF and Police personnel and their families, noting that the government must ensure medical spending remains sustainable. The report also urged the government to formulate policies to control rising medical costs.