People will give out money, but don't take it: Ihusan

Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusan stated last night that police have to enter a dangerous environment in order to solve drug, gang and expatriate issues, with similar levels of corruption to contend with as well.

While speaking as an honorable guest at the Police Basic Training Course completion ceremony, Minister Ihusan said that various parties will give and hand out money, along with promises of being able to rise up the ranks.

"...People will make promises of living joyful lives and of travel. But you should not forget your training and your determination," said Minister Ihusaan.

As per the minister, police institutions have "absolute zero tolerance".

"And so, it is my advice that no police officer succumbs to such ills. If we work as such, we will be able to establish a peaceful Maldives as we have wished for by the grace of Allah," said Ihusan.

"The wish of the President of Maldives is for you to provide that service to the Maldivian people."

The minister stated that the biggest responsibility the government has given to the police is to completely eradicate drugs from Maldives, bring groups that commit gang crimes in front of the law and to solve the issue of illegal immigrants. He also stated that getting children out of such environments and being rid of said environments is also included in the responsibility.

As per Ihusan, the special task for last night's batch that have completed the basic training is to do the aforementioned from today onwards.

"You are going out into the current police's line of work after your eyes have been opened and to focus on such matters. Police have to serve in the aforementioned environments and deal with dangerous parties every single day. You, as police officers, are now ready to do so. It is my wish that you work until these missions are completed without stoppage from tomorrow onwards," said the Home Minister last night at the 41st Police Initial Training Course completion certificate ceremony.

He went on to say that Maldivians wish for their country to be 100 percent safe and secure. The minister also said that every street, every alley, every darkened area and every island should be an environment that is safe and secure.

"We have to work with the police with such an expectation. We have to deliver as per that expectation," said Ihusan.

The minister said last night that when President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu took office on 17th November 2023, there were around a thousand police officers who had not done their training. The result of the government giving priority to train said officers is 966 police officers having completed their training as of now, said the minister. He also said that with the new batch that will start their training in January, all officers who had not done their training will have been given said training, and will become qualified police officers.

"This is very hard work that has been done in a very complete manner by Maldivian police service officers, the Commissioner of Police and the commissioner's team," said Ihusann.

"All officers being qualified in order to serve in line with the standard set by the Maldives Police Service Act is very important. The power and authority of the law can only be given after training is complete."

The latest Police Basic Training Course that was held saw 185 officers complete it. This includes 107 men and 78 women.