Police create a dedicated gang crime enforcement unit

With the police’s new strategic action plan set to take effect on Monday, the law enforcement agency has created a dedicated unit to fight gang crime.

The police unveiled its strategic action plan for the next four years earlier this month. One of the biggest structural changes planned is the creation of a gang crime enforcement unit.

In a press statement on Sunday morning, the chief police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner of Police Ahmed Shifan, shared some of the key changes the implementation of the strategic action plan will bring.

This includes structuring the police service into 17 commands and directorates, encompassing local policing regions.

Shifan said that heads have already been appointed to the commands, directorates and departments.

He noted that the implementation of the plan will also see the establishment of a Gang Crime Enforcement Unit, a Digital Data and Technology Command, while Hulhumale’ Police will be established as a separate command.

According to Shifan, the main purpose of a dedicated Gang Crime Enforcement Unit is to carry out focused efforts to curtail gang-related crimes – one of the biggest changes facing the police.

Meanwhile, purpose of establishing Hulhumale’ Police as a separate command is to “maintain the focus of and improve the effectiveness of policing in Hulhumale’”, while the establishment of a Digital Command is “to build a data-driven and modern institution.”

Shifan said that key purpose of the structural changes is to institutionalize police’s services in order to improve the police governance system and modernize the police service.

“Establishing a mechanism for quick and reliable services is also a key focus area in this four-year plan,” he added.

Earlier this month, Home Minister Ali Ihusan said that plan identifies 10 key priority areas for crime-focused policing.

He said that the biggest priority is to root out organized crime.

“Our goal isn’t reduced the 10 gangs operating in Maldives to three by the end of five years. Our goal is to erase all 10 gangs,” he said.

Ihusan said the administration will maintain a policy of “zero tolerance” and “non-acceptance.”

Last week, Ihusan said the authorities have identified some 400 juveniles across the country with links to criminal gangs, who require immediate intervention.