The Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology has received two applications for the position of Commissioner of Police.
Applications for the position of police commissioner opened for officers holding the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police and above. The deadline for submissions was reached on December 19 and the applications submitted during the period were from Ali Shujau and Ismail Naveen, who are currently Assistant Commissioners of Police.
The Police Service Act, which came into effect in 2021, stipulates that the Commissioner of Police should be appointed from the rank of Assistant Commissioner and above. The law also states that a person shall be appointed to the post after the Police Board interviews the candidates and assesses their competence. The Commissioner shall be appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Minister from among the names submitted to the Minister by the Police Board.
Additionally, the Police Service Act states that the Police Commissioner shall be appointed for a four-year term. Upon completion of that term, he may be appointed to the post for another four-year term.
The post of Police Commissioner became vacant after the retirement of Commissioner of Police Mohamed Hameed. According to the Police Service Act, if the Commissioner of Police position becomes vacant, it must be filled within 45 days from the date of vacancy. In the meantime, Assistant Commissioner of Police Farhad Fikry has been appointed as in-charge of the Maldives Police Service (MPS).