Maldives police ink deals with India for digital forensic lab, specialized training

Maldives Police Service has signed agreements with top Indian training institutions aimed at boosting the investigative and operational capabilities of the agency, including one to support the development of a worldclass digital forensic laboratory in the Maldives.

The agreements were signed during a four-day visit by a senior police delegation to India from January 12-17.

The delegation was headed by Assistant Commissioner of Police Ahmed Shifan, and included Superintendent of Police Sultan Ahmed Bishar, Chief Inspector of Police Ibrahim Faiz, and Inspector of Police Mohamed Isham.

In a statement on Tuesday, the police said they signed a number of agreements with top Indian training institutions aimed at boosting the investigative and operational capabilities of the agency.

“These agreements will facilitate high quality training in the fields of special investigations, cyber forensics, and intelligence, and also facilitate the development of a worldclass forensic laboratory in the Maldives,” said the police in the statement.

During the four-day tour of India, the Maldivian police delegation met with officials from the National Police Academy in Hyderabad, the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) in Gujrat, and Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU).

According to the police, the agreements signed with Indian institutes will facilitate the accreditation of the curriculum of the National College of Policing and Law Enforcement (NCPLE) in Addu, a trainer exchange program and technical support.

The police added that the agreements also include a proposal to establish a NFSU campus in the Maldives, and to support the development of a modern digital forensic laboratory.

Meanwhile, the RRU agreed to provide scholarships to five Maldivian police officers, and to conduct courses and training in financial crimes and maritime security.

The police described the agreements as a key step in efforts to modernize policing and boost operational and investigative capabilities.