Male’, Maldives – A new police service bill has been passed by the parliament after making amendments to several aspects including appointing Board of Directors to the Police institution.
The new amendment to the Police service bill was proposed by the MP for North Galolhu constitution and Deputy Speaker of the Parliament, Eva Abdulla, although the actual bill was proposed by the main-ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s chairperson and West-Henveiru constituency, MP Hassan Latheef.
MP Eva proposed two amendments to the bill, of which the first is to the Article 75 of the bill. This amendment proposes the appointment of Board of Directors to the institution, which will be useful in the decision making process.
The Board is to look into matters of inhumane acts, misusage of power and corruption allegations against the officers in the institution, as well as partake of illegal or unethical activities while being a member of the Maldives Police Service.
The Directors will also be granted the authority to dismiss officers after taking into account of all the accusations on them. The dismissal of all the senior officers above the rank of police superintendent, except the Commissioner of Police, can be decided by the board under the new amendments made to the bill.
The new amendment also states that the officers will retain their positions and continue to provide services, until the board makes a decision on whether to dismiss the officer or not.
The Police Board of Directors will consist of:
- Two members appointed by the President.
- Three merit-based appointments of technical and experience.
- Two appointed from the public after open applications.
The amendment proposed by MP Eva requires the new board of directors of police to be appointed within 14 days after the bill is signed into law.
