Total of 33 Police officers dismissed so far this year

The Police have said that by the end of the first six months of this year, a total of 33 Police officers had been dismissed for various reasons.

The Assistant Commissioner of Police Ali Rasheed made this statement at a press conference held to provide information on the Police Professional Standard Command.

Rasheed said that some officers have been dismissed without being given any advice to correct their actions, based on the severity of their actions.

The Police officers accused of stealing money and high-priced items from foreign nationals have also been dismissed from work.

The number of Police officers dismissed in the first six months of last year was 47.

The Assistant Commissioner said that as part of the efforts to keep the Police Institution free of drugs, six randomly selected Police officers are tested for drugs every month.

He informed that no officer had been tested positive for drugs since the Professional Standard Command was set up.

The Police Professional Standard Command was set up to investigate complaints regarding Police officers.

A total of 118 complaints had been filed so far this year, of which 106 have been closed after investigation.

While 108 complaints were filed last year, 79 were investigated and closed.

Rasheed said that the increase in the number of complaints this year is due to the increase in the number of protests. The Police have monitored 35 protests over the past six months.

Rasheed said that action is being taken against Police officers, following complaints received in relation to protests.

The Professional Standard Command team had visited islands on 13 occasions so far this year to probe discipline issues of officers. The Assistant Commissioner informed that the most common complaints were regarding officers’ carelessness while on duty.

He noted that some officers also refuse to report to work after they submit their letters of resignation. The Police Act stipulates that any officer who is absent from work for 14 consecutive days are deemed to have absconded from work, and will be dismissed as an officer who had absconded.

Rasheed noted that the recent political changes have increased the number of Police officers wishing to resign.

He also said that 800 Police officers are currently being provided counselling at SHE for stress and tolerance level management at their request.

Currently, 20 Police officers work at the Professional Standard, which is divided into four units. This includes officers with Master’s Degrees, Bachelor’s Degrees, A’level and O’level education.