In a major institutional shift aimed at driving professional excellence and operational agility, the Maldives Police Service (MPS) has officially rolled out a sweeping organizational restructuring. Effective June 1, 2026, the reform consolidates and streamlines the law enforcement agency's internal wings from 17 down to 14 specialized command-level divisions.

According to police authorities, the transition is designed to significantly improve bureaucratic management, optimize resource deployment, and bolster the standard of public safety operations nationwide. Frontend work is already underway to implement the new organizational chart, including appointing high-ranking officers to newly designated leadership roles and updating internal operational policies.

Under the modernized layout, vital functions spanning active street policing, criminal investigations, localized intelligence, forensics, tech integration, and corporate support have been neatly systematically realigned.

The 14 newly established command-level divisions are:

• Office of the Commissioner
• National College of Policing and Law Enforcement
• Professional Standards
• National Intelligence Service
• Internal Security and Operational Support
• Forensic Services
• Central Investigations
• Malé Police
• Hulhumalé Police
• Northern Police
• Southern Police
• Service Development
• Service Support
• Digital Data and Technology

Empowering the Frontlines

MPS stated that this new layout focuses heavily on inter-departmental collaboration, eliminating prior departmental silos to ensure an agile, unified response to shifting security landscapes. A core objective of the trim is to heavily decentralize administrative hurdles, thereby expanding the on-the-ground decision-making roles of frontline officers.

By optimizing workflow protocols and strengthening regional segments like the Northern and Southern commands, the service aims to build a more community-oriented, highly visible policing mechanism that works in close, accessible proximity with citizens across the islands.

This historic restructuring comes on the heels of major leadership transitions within the institution. It marks the first major structural reform launched under Commissioner of Police Ahmed Mohamed, who was appointed by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu in April 2026 to modernize the nation's premier law enforcement body.