Serious crimes have been controlled: Police Commissioner

Commissioner of Police Abdullah Riyaz has said that the Police have succeeded in controlling and reducing serious and organised crimes.

Riyaz said in an interview with Sun Online, that the Police have stopped several gang crimes, theft and drug-related crimes over the past six months.

“This is the work of our young, energetic Police Force; the result of several operations conducted by them to stop assault and drug crimes. This is the result of the hard work of Police Officers. I am very happy about the entire Police Force,” he said.

Riyaz said that Police Officers have been authorised to work independently in accordance with the Police Act, free from political influence.

“We have been able to control these crimes because the Police are motivated. We have had to dismiss only few people over the past few months. We have worked with the people in this Institution,” he said.

Riyaz said that the Police Institution was under heavy political influence when he assumed the post of Commissioner, resulting in Officers being discouraged due to not being able to work effectively.

He said that the main target of Police Operations and Police Intelligence is to control serious crimes.

“The Police Institution’s main target is to control certain types of crimes. The Institution works for the people. The Officers do their part to achieve these targets. The aim of the Police Force is to serve the public,” he said.

Riyaz noted that DPRS, the institution in charge of prison maintenance, has also been strengthened, resulting in progress for the Police in their efforts to reduce crime.

He expressed confidence that public trust in the Police Institution can be fully restored, and highlighted that public assistance and cooperation are required to reduce crime.

He urged the public not to hesitate in facilitating information to the Police.

“We will, God willing, succeed in providing a peaceful nation for the future generation. We need citizens’ cooperation in achieving this. I am convinced that the public has confidence in the Police Institution,” he said.