Maldives has the most promising police services – Regional Security Officer, US State Dept

Douglas Marvin, the Regional Security Officer at the US State Department acknowledged that in his long career and experience in the field and among the several countries he visited, especially in this region, Maldives has got the most promising police services with a well-organized structure and qualified human resource providing professional services, utilizing all the resources to the maximum. He made this statement in this speech at the closing ceremony of “Crime scene and evidence management course” held at Iskandharu Koshi.

“Among all the countries I have visited, without a doubt, Maldives has got the best police service”, declared Douglas.

He emphasize that the most prominent goal of a police service should be to provide protection to the public and there are many constrains and challenges faced due to the political turmoil to reach this goal. Douglas also emphasized that it is a greater challenge to pledge protection to those people who verbally and physically abuse and assault police officers and their families over politically motivated disputes.

Furthermore, he advised Maldives Police Service that it is important to deal with patience and consent and to provide the dynamic service at all times, even in this critical situation.

Moreover, Douglas extended appreciation to the service on behalf of the President of the United States Barack Obama, Ambassador Patricia Butenis and the American Embassy itself.

Chief Guest of the ceremony, Minister of State for Home Affairs Mohamed Fayaz, noted that several challenges in the service will be dispelled by this training and that he hopes Maldives Police Service will exercise the techniques gained during the program. State Minister Fayaz assured to create opportunities for police officers to increase their professionalism in the future.

The leading instructor of the training, special agent of FBI, Meredith Berk also extended her appreciation for giving her the opportunity to engage in such a successful program. She expressed that she learned from Maldives Police Services as she facilitated her notes to them, and that she would be pleased to accept further opportunities to engage in such trainings with this services.

Certificates to the 38 participants were given away by the chief guest, Minister of State for Home Affairs Mohamed Fayaz.

The five day program was conduct from 26^th August and 30^th August 2012, aimed to develop technical skills of the investigating officers and the staff of Forensic Support Directorate under the Memorandum of Understanding between Maldives Police Services and the US Embassy.