Beyond Borders: Elevating Maldives’ Role in Global Policing
Reflections from my time as Commissioner of Police and why international cooperation in policing & law enforcement is no longer optional — but essential
In an age where criminals, data, and ideologies transcend borders, the security of one nation increasingly hinges on its cooperation with others. Nowhere is this more apparent than in law enforcement. As I reflect on my years as Commissioner of Police in the Maldives (2019–2023), one of the areas I take the most pride in is how we repositioned the Maldives Police Service (MPS) within the global policing community. We moved from a place of passive membership to active engagement, forging relationships, building capacity, and contributing to the collective security of the international community.
The Missing Architecture of Regional Cooperation
The Indian subcontinent, despite being home to a fifth of the world’s population and many shared security threats, lacks any sustainable, structured framework for regional law enforcement cooperation. The SAARC mechanism, while politically significant, has not evolved into an operational platform for police collaboration. In practice, countries rely on ad hoc bilateral exchanges and international organizations like INTERPOL to facilitate cooperation.
This fragmentation weakens our collective ability to address transnational threats — from drug trafficking and money laundering to terrorism and human trafficking. I have always believed that small nations like Maldives must therefore double down on global engagement to compensate for regional voids.
A New Chapter with INTERPOL
Maldives became a member of INTERPOL in 1984. For decades, however, our engagement was minimal. I witnessed this firsthand during my time as the national contact officer to INTERPOL between 2010 and 2012 — valuable experience, but constrained by limited access, outdated systems, and a general lack of institutional awareness.
When I assumed office as Commissioner, I knew we had to change that.
We began by enhancing our strategic alignment with INTERPOL. Through deliberate diplomacy, technical alignment, and political commitment, we achieved a number of historic firsts:
- Secondment of a Maldivian officer to INTERPOL HQ (Lyon):
For the first time in our nation’s history, a Maldives Police Service officer was seconded to work at the General Secretariat in Lyon. This allowed us to embed our presence at the very heart of global policing. - Implementation of Project GEMINI:
This initiative connected our frontline police — whether in Malé or the remotest islands — to INTERPOL’s databases via secure handheld devices and terminals. It transformed how we operated. Officers could now instantly access information on wanted persons, stolen vehicles, travel documents, and criminal records at the point of interaction.
Within a short period, Maldives ranked among the top users in Asia in terms of INTERPOL database queries — demonstrating that even a small service, if strategically positioned, can outperform. - Elevated International Standing:
I had the honour of representing Maldives at several INTERPOL events — as a speaker, panelist, and contributor to global law enforcement policy discussions. These platforms enabled us to share insights from the Maldives’ unique security landscape and learn from the best practices of others.
The SG’s Visit: A Symbol of Growing Trust
A defining moment in our journey came in August 2023, when INTERPOL Secretary General Jürgen Stock paid an official visit to the Maldives. This was no routine stopover. It was a powerful recognition of our growing role in international policing and a validation of the strategic efforts we had undertaken over the past four years.
Get Mohamed Hameed’s stories in your inbox
Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer.
During his visit, SG Stock met with the Vice President, the executive leadership of the MPS, and participated in a commemorative diving event to mark INTERPOL’s centenary. For the Maldives to host the world’s top police official was a national achievement — proof that trust is earned through commitment, delivery, and shared values.
Intelligence, Tradecraft, and Quiet Cooperation
Beyond INTERPOL, my dual role as Director General of Intelligence at the MPS allowed us to deepen ties with global partners. As Maldives does not have a statutory domestic or external intelligence agency, our Intelligence Directorate functions in a hybrid role — covering both internal and foreign-facing mandates.
This made us a unique partner — and an important one. During my tenure, we expanded cooperation with counterparts from India, Sri Lanka, Australia, the U.S., and Europe. We tapped into their experience, received technical support, and trained our officers in contemporary tradecraft and intelligence analysis.
Quietly but effectively, we upgraded our posture in areas such as counter-terrorism, cyber threat monitoring, financial crime intelligence, and border security. International agencies began to see the Maldives not as a passive observer, but as a responsive and capable partner.
Why This Work Matters
Some may wonder — why does a small country like Maldives need to engage so deeply on the global policing stage?
Because crime is no longer local.
Drug cartels do not recognize borders. Terrorist ideologies spread through encrypted apps, not airline tickets. Cyber criminals breach systems from continents away. Even human trafficking routes that touch our shores are controlled by transnational syndicates.
To stay ahead, we need access to intelligence, tools, and collective deterrence. We need to be part of global enforcement mechanisms — not at the margins, but at the table.
What Comes Next
The foundations have been laid. Our officers now work with real-time data, enhanced networks, and improved awareness of international standards. But we must not slow down.
We need to institutionalize this progress — invest in dedicated international cooperation units, deepen legal frameworks for joint investigations and extraditions, and advocate for better regional policing arrangements in South Asia.
More importantly, we must continue building trust. In international law enforcement, reputation matters. Transparency, professionalism, and respect for rights are not just good governance — they are credentials that open doors to cooperation.
Final Reflections
Looking back, I am proud of what we achieved. The Maldives Police Service is better connected, better trained, and better respected globally than ever before. But more than anything, we proved that no country is too small to lead — or too distant to matter — in the global fight against crime.
As the Maldives Police Service continues its services to Maldivians and the global community, let this stand as a reminder: in a world of shared threats, our strength lies in shared responsibility. And international cooperation is no longer a choice — it is the path forward.
