CP: Era of relying on physical force in policing is over; research must drive results

Commissioner of Police Ahmed Mohamed has said that the era of relying solely on physical force to reduce crime is over, stressing that modern police officers must become "intellectual practitioners" who apply academic research to achieve results in the field.

The Commissioner made the remarks while officiating the opening of the "NCPLE Annual Policing Conference 2024", held on Sunday at Iskandhar Koshi. The conference aims to identify priority areas and formulate the Maldives Police Service’s annual action plan for 2025.

Held from November 8 to November 10 under the theme "From Knowledge to Action: Building Safer Communities Together," the conference is an initiative of Minister of Homeland Security, Labor and Technology Ali Ihusaan and Commissioner Ali Mohamed. It is organized by the National College of Policing and Law Enforcement in collaboration with Strategic Planning and Legal Services.

In his address, the Commissioner noted that the philosophy of policing has undergone significant changes alongside developments in society. He emphasized that modern policing is not limited to responding to and investigating crimes, but also involves identifying the underlying social, economic and psychological causes of criminal behavior. He highlighted that addressing these root causes requires the practical application of academic research and "evidence-based policing" theories in police operations.

The Commissioner further stressed the need to overcome the misconception that police officers are defined solely by their physical strength. He said a competent officer today must possess intellectual ability, psychological well-being and mental sharpness, in addition to physical fitness.

The Commissioner also assured that the research papers and findings presented at the conference would form the primary basis for developing the 2025 Action Plan and determining the future strategic direction of the police service. Acknowledging the challenges faced by police personnel in their work, he urged all officers to remain focused and work together to further improve the services provided to the public.